Community Access Program
The Philadelphia Zoo’s Community Access program aspires to increase accessibility to the Zoo directly to our immediate neighbors, families, schools and mission-aligned organizations.
To increase access to the Zoo’s 42 acres of gardens and 1,900 amazing animals we decrease the barrier of admission in the simplest way possible: by eliminating it. We are eager to offer the Zoo as a joyful destination that is a safe asset to our nearest neighbors by providing free access for at least 60,000 visitors annually. Through engagement with our staff, animals, and experiences during these visits, the Zoo encourages and empowers our guests to protect wildlife and the environment we share.
If you are a Neighbor to the Zoo either by way of residency, school enrollment, or participant in a conservation, animal welfare or other mission-aligned project in our nearby neighborhood we welcome and encourage you to consider the Zoo as an extension of your home and classroom. Please review the following options available to people and programs in the following zip codes: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, 19151.
Title I School Field Trips
The Zoo’s Community Access Program (CAP) provides free or reduced-price admission to K-12 students from Title I public and charter schools (with 40% or more of the students receiving free or reduced-priced lunches). Applications for our Spring 2026 CAP Season will go live on Monday, January 26th for Philadelphia Schools and Monday, February 2nd for all other schools (availability dependent).
Apply Now
Free 1 Day Zoo Passes
Local residents, neighborhood schools, and mission-aligned organizations can click the button below to request free visits to the Philadelphia Zoo.
Important note: This form is for small class visits to the Zoo for Neighborhood Schools; for larger free field trips for Philadelphia Title 1 Schools, please see the above option and separate form.
In addition to this form we provide free ticket access at 6 local library branches; you can visit each branch for more details:
• Cecil B. Moore
• Charles L. Durham
• Kingsessing
• Lucien E. Blackwell
• Queen Memorial
• Walnut St West
Neighborhood Membership
To increase continuous access to the Zoo and offer our space as a resource to local residents, we offer 1,000 free Family Plus Memberships to local families. Membership information has been shared exclusively with nearby schools and neighborhood organizations to offer to their community members and residents. Contact one of our partners below for more information:
• Mantua Civic Association
• East Parkside Residents Association
• Centennial Parkside CDC
• Parkside Association
• Viola Street Residents Association
• Morton McMichael Elementary School
• School of the Future
• West Belmont Civic Association
• Alain Locke Elementary School
• West Powelton Saunders Park
• Drexel University’s Dornsife Center
Community Night
Summer Community Night is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026!
We invite our nearest neighbors to celebrate the last week of Summer at the Zoo! We guarantee a WILD night out at the Zoo before starting a new school year. In addition to visiting our amazing animals families will have access to a Family Resource Fair full of free resources, giveaways and educational activities!
Summer Community Night at the Zoo includes free general admission, parking, access to attractions and snacks while they last! Ticket access is provided exclusively to neighborhood partners, schools and organizations. Tickets will be available from a Zoo representative at Drexel’s Dornsife Center on Tuesday night, August 11th. For questions, please contact [email protected].
Thank you to our sponsors!
Each year, with the financial partnership of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Zoo is able to offer the Community Access Program which provides free visits and fun, engaging, and relevant learning opportunities to more than 60,000 community members annually. We could not offer these experiences without the very generous support of the following people and organizations:
- Dee Hillas
- Estate of Edna Thomas
- Independence Foundation