Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium — Tacoma, Washington

Address5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407

HoursOct 5–Dec 20, 2026: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Thu–Mon, CLOSED Tue–Wed (open Nov 11; closed Nov 26); Dec 21–Jan 3: daily 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (closed Dec 24–25). Zoolights runs separately Nov 27–Jan 3, 4:30–10 p.m. (official hours page)

PricesDaytime, online: Adult (13–64) $25; Senior (65+) $23; Youth (3–12) $17; ages 2 and under FREE — gate prices are higher (Adult $32, Senior $30, Youth $22) (official Prices page)

Price notespriceVal is the official online adult daytime price; gate adult price is $32. Daytime tickets are valid for one visit up to one year from purchase and are non-refundable (official). Wild Access discounted daytime tickets are $8 for eligible Washington residents, in person only (official — see Perks). Zoolights is a separate evening event with its own tickets.

Age notesFrom official pricing tiers: Adult 13–64, Youth 3–12, ages 2 and under free.

BookingDaytime tickets are sold online in advance; Wild Access tickets must be bought in person at the admissions window (official).

Suggested timeAbout 3 hours

AccessibilityNot confirmed — no wheelchair/stroller/sensory statement was captured on the official hours/prices pages reviewed, so no access attributes are claimed. (A Zoolights Sensory-Friendly Night exists as an event; it is not a general-visit attribute.)

ParkingParking is always free at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (official).

Hours in detailOctober 5 - December 20: 9 am - 3:30 pm Thursday - Monday; Closed Tuesday - Wednesday. Open Nov. 11 (Veteran's Day); Closed November 26 (Thanksgiving). December 21 - January 3: 9 am - 3:30 pm daily; Closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25; Open Jan. 1. Zoolights: November 27 - January 3, 2027, 4:30 pm - 10 pm nightly, closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 per the hours page.

Tickets & bookingDaytime tickets are valid for one visit, can be used up to one year from the date of purchase, and are non-refundable. The zoo is a cashless facility (major credit/debit cards and mobile payment). Zoolights is different: online timed tickets are REQUIRED for all guests ages three and older, including members; tickets are date- and time-specific and are not sold at the front gate; last entry is 9 p.m. Zoolights rescheduling requires at least 48 hours' notice, a $5.00 change fee, is allowed one time only and is subject to availability; Scout Nights and Sensory Friendly Night tickets cannot be rescheduled.

ParkingParking is FREE (prices page and Zoolights FAQ).

AccessibilityThe zoo grounds were designed to be ADA-accessible, with smooth, flat surfaces and elevators to reach different animal habitats. NOTE: the elevator in the Tropical Reef Aquarium is temporarily out of service (accessibility page). Service animals are welcomed per the ADA and Washington Administrative Code; guests using service animals must check in at the admission window. A complimentary ticket is provided for a 1:1 caregiver required to assist a guest with disabilities (front gate only, not online). Rentals at the front gate, first-come, first-served, ID held until return: wheelchair (non-motorized) $15/day, powerchair $40/day (minimum age 18), umbrella $6, tax included. Guests who use a wheelchair can fully participate in the Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive via a Hoyer lift. Parks Tacoma provides reasonable accommodations on request via its ADA Accommodation Request form.

Sensory notesThe zoo is a certified sensory-inclusive facility registered with KultureCity: staff undergo training to help people with sensory needs, and visual stories and other online tools are available (accessibility and sensory-inclusive pages). Zoolights includes a Sensory Friendly Night (its tickets cannot be rescheduled, per the Zoolights FAQ).

Age notesDaytime admission: Adult (age 13-64) $25 online / $32 front gate; Senior (65+) $23 / $30; Youth (age 3-12) $17 / $22; Infant (age 2 & under) FREE; Wild Access $8 at the front gate for Washington individuals/families who qualify for income assistance or foster/kinship care. U.S. Military and Pierce County resident front-gate prices match the online prices. Daytime tickets include admission to both the zoo and the aquarium; children 2 and under do not need tickets. Zoolights pricing is for ages 3+, with ages 2 and under free.

Official tipsBuy daytime tickets online to save versus the front gate (e.g., adult $25 online vs $32 at the gate), and online tickets stay valid for one year. The aquariums are closed during Zoolights, and the goats and other animals are asleep during Zoolights - visit during the day to see the animals.

Seasonal notesFall/winter schedule: closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open Thursday through Monday; open Nov. 11, closed Nov. 26; daily Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 except Dec. 24-25. Zoolights is a separate ticketed evening event, November 27 - January 3, 2027, 4:30 - 10 pm nightly: Nov. 27 - Dec. 13 pricing is Mon-Thurs $8 member / $16 general and Fri-Sun $11 / $22 for ages 3+; Dec. 14 - Jan. 3 is $11 / $22 nightly; flex tickets valid any night are $30. Dog Nights (ticket includes one dog and one adult, online only, limited) fall on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and January 3.