The Houston Zoo sits in Hermann Park, making it possible to pair a Zoo visit with time in the park and McGovern Centennial Gardens. Plan around timed Zoo admission and the different schedules for the gardens and park attractions.
- Location: The Houston Zoo is at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030.
- Hermann Park: 445 acres, open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Zoo hours: Open daily
- Garden hours: McGovern Centennial Gardens have different spring-and-summer and fall-and-winter schedules.
How the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park fit together
The Houston Zoo is within Hermann Park, so you can plan Zoo admission alongside time in the surrounding park. The Zoo’s address is 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030; Hermann Park covers 445 acres and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For a full-day plan, start with the Zoo’s timed entry and allow the rest of your day to take shape around the park’s other attractions.
The Hermann Park Railroad and Lott Family Carousel operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while pedal boats operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours for these attractions may change with weather and season, and the Railroad, carousel, and pedal boats close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Tickets, hours, and Zoo visit planning
Reserve a timed ticket online if you are not a Zoo member; members do not need online reservations. The Houston Zoo’s daytime admission hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m., and it is open seven days a week.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Ticket holders may enter any time after the arrival time printed on their ticket. The Zoo does not sell tickets on-site and does not offer refunds or exchanges. Child and senior tickets are 20% off the price shown; children are ages 3–12, and seniors are age 65 and older.
You may bring outside food and drinks, but glass bottles, alcoholic beverages, and plastic straws are prohibited. Pets are not allowed; service animals are permitted under their owner’s control and must be registered at the Zoo’s Safety and Security window.
The Zoo stays open in rain unless severe weather threatens guest and staff safety, and it does not offer rain checks or refunds for inclement weather.
For the current admission details and any changes to hours, check the official site before you go. The Houston Zoo is the operator for Zoo admission information.
Park grounds and McGovern Centennial Gardens
McGovern Centennial Gardens add a distinct garden visit to a day in Hermann Park, with themed rooms arranged around Centennial Green, the central lawn. The eight-acre gardens opened in 2014 to mark Hermann Park’s centennial, on the former Houston Garden Center site.
The Hermann Park Conservancy says the gardens include more than 490 new trees representing over 50 species, along with 760 hedge shrubs, 55,000 perennial bulbs, 650 azaleas, and 4.5 acres of grass. The gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in spring and summer, with last entry at 6:45 p.m.
In fall and winter, they are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4:45 p.m.; the seasonal schedule is based on Daylight Saving. They close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
If you are planning to include the gardens, check their hours against the season and leave time for the earlier last-entry cutoff in fall and winter. Hours for the Railroad, carousel, boats, and gift shop may also change with weather and season.
How do you get to the Houston Zoo and check visitor access?
The METRORail Red Line’s Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo stop is the transit stop identified for the Zoo; from there, the Zoo estimates a 10-minute walk through The Commons.
The standard fare is $1.25, the senior fare is 60 cents, and children age five or younger travel free. For broader route planning, the Houston Metro guide to trips from the Southmore area covers getting around by transit.
The Zoo does not have its own parking lot. Free parking is available in Hermann Park, and the Zoo estimates a 5–10-minute walk from nearby lots G, F, E, H, and I to the entrance.
Southmore Boulevard Motel is a two-star Houston hotel from which you can plan a city outing to the Zoo and Hermann Park.
FAQs
Do you need to reserve Houston Zoo tickets in advance?
Non-member guests must reserve timed tickets online, while members do not need online reservations. Tickets are not sold on-site.
How much time should you plan for Hermann Park?
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Its Railroad, carousel, and pedal boats have their own operating hours, which can change with weather and season.
Are McGovern Centennial Gardens open every day?
Open daily. The gardens are open daily, with seasonal hours, and close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Their last-entry time is earlier than closing time. A one-day Houston itinerary from the Southmore area can help you structure a broader day in the city.