Become a Zoo Member Today!
Nestled in the heart of Evansville, Indiana, Mesker Park Zoo offers a unique experience that goes beyond a typical day at the zoo. With a Zoo Membership, you gain access to a world of exciting benefits, exclusive events, and unforgettable memories. Your membership also support the Evansville Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) organization, helping to further the Zoo’s mission.
Save your receipt! The cost of daily admission can be applied to your same-day purchase of a zoo membership. Stop by the Membership Office and have zoo access 365 days a year!
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INDIVIDUAL
$45 PER YEAR
ONE NAME PERSON
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COUPLE
$65 PER YEAR
TWO NAMED PEOPLE
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GRANDPARENTS
$65 PER YEAR
TWO NAMED ADULTS + ALL GRANDCHILDREN UNDER 18
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FAMILY
$75 PER YEAR
TWO NAMED ADULTS + CHILDREN UNDER 18 (MEMBERS MUST BE AT SAME HOUSEHOLD)
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ZOOKEEPER
$100 PER YEAR
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP PLUS FOUR (4) ONE-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AND TEN (10) ZOO TOKENS
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CURATOR
$250 PER YEAR
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS PLUS TEN (10) ONE-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS, TEN (10) ZOO TOKENS, ZOO DECAL, FOUR (4) TICKETS TO BOO AT THE ZOO & RECOGNITION IN ZOO LOVERS MAGAZINE
Note: Behind the Scenes Tours are no longer offered with our Curator level memberships.
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DIRECTOR
$500 PER YEAR
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS PLUS FIFTEEN (15) ONE-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS, TEN (10) ZOO TOKENS, ZOO DECAL, SIX (6) TICKETS TO BOO AT THE ZOO, RECOGNITION IN ZOO LOVERS MAGAZINE & ONE (1) RHINO FEEDING
Note: Behind the Scenes Tours have now resumed with our Director level memberships. Rhino Feedings are currently paused until our Rhino is cleared for interactions.
Join the Zoo today and receive:
Free general admission for one full year
Free admission to special events during regular zoo hours
Free tram rides for one full year
Discounted admission to various zoo events
Zoo Member Only “Member Appreciation Event”
Free subscription to e-newsletter and Zoo Lovers Online magazine
Discounts for Birthday Parties
Discounts in the Grill and Gift Shop
Priority registration and discounts for Zoo Camp
Day Care Pass
We have a Day Care Pass ($115) available for licensed child care or adult care facilities. This pass admits 12 individuals plus 4 chaperones. Please bring proof to purchase at the front gate. Not available online, or for schools during regular school sessions.
Zoo Tokens
Valid for paddle boats, Engelbrecht Carousel, Budgie Walkabout feedings, Penguin feedings and giraffe feedings. Please note that some of these attractions are weather permitting/seasonal.
Discounts
Senior Discount – Individuals age 55+ receive a $5.00 discount on Individual Membership (In Person ONLY)
College Student – $5.00 discount on Individual Memberships with valid student ID (In Person ONLY)
The cost of daily admission tickets can be applied to your same-day purchase of a zoo membership. Bring your receipt to the Membership Office before 4pm.
Community Membership Program
We’re happy to be able to offer our Community Membership Program to qualifying families who may receive a Family Membership for only $5.
Residents of Southwest Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky who are recipients of the federal SNAP program may qualify for a $5 Family Membership for two named adults, plus children under 18 (members must be at same household).
This program is privately funded through the generosity of our supporters. You can support this initiative with your online gift.
Check Out Our Public Library Zoo Pass Program
Through our partnership with local public libraries, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden offers a Library Zoo Pass available for checkout at participating locations. Each pass provides admission for up to two adults and four children (under the age of 18), along with complimentary tram rides during your visit. It’s a great way to explore the Zoo, connect with wildlife, and enjoy a memorable day together. Contact your local branch to check out a Library Zoo Pass today!
Participating Libraries
Huntingburg Public Library - Huntingburg, IN
Fred A. Vaught Memorial Library - Hartsville, TN
Get My Digital Membership Card
Click to download the eMembership App.
Search for Mesker Park Zoo, Click “Find My Membership Cards”, Enter Membership # or Phone # with your last name and click Find! Once your cards appear, you can save them to your phone wallet for ease of access. Questions? Email Our Membership Office
Visiting a Partner Zoo?
Use Your AZA Travel Pass
One of the great benefits of being a Mesker Park Zoo Member is free or discounted admission to other reciprocating zoos and aquariums.
To receive this discount, you must present your PHOTO ID and DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARD.
Please note that this list is updated throughout the year by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Participating organizations may be added or removed, and reserve the right to offer different admission discounts depending on the season or special activities taking place. It is always a good idea to call ahead to the zoo or aquarium prior to your visit to confirm the details of their offer.
DOWNLOAD YOUR DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARD TO RECEIVE DISCOUNTS AT OTHER AZA-ACCREDITED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.
Member News Letters Archive
Download our previous publications below!
Memberships FAQs
As a non-profit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we must prevent misuse of our memberships. We try hard to keep our membership prices affordable. If families and neighbors shared memberships, our revenue would be severely reduced and we would have little choice but to raise our prices. Thank you for understanding our policies and the need to enforce them. Help us keep memberships affordable for everyone!
NEW/RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP
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Join online using your credit card
Visit our front gate membership office in person (open daily 9am-4pm)
The following membership types must be purchased in person with proof of eligibility: Daycare, Community Membership Program, Student Discount, Senior Discount
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In the interest of staying green, we have transitioned to strictly digital cards and communications. If you purchase online, you should receive an email with instructions for downloading eMembership cards. If you purchase in person, our front gate will provide instructions.
If you need instructions, email membership@meskparkzoo.com
For Zookeeper and above memberships, guest passes will be attached to your account for use at your convenience. Tokens and decal may be requested at the membership gate at your next visit. Members may also be admitted with their state issued photo ID.
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We offer the following discounts:
Senior Individual Memberships (55+) are $5 off Individual Membership (must purchase in person with proper identification)
College Students $5 off Individual Membership (must purchase in person with proper identification)
Community Membership Program discount for eligible SNAP families. Visit online at Community Membership Program for details.
Watch our website and social media for any seasonal discounts or specials.
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Yes. You may stop by our membership office before you leave the day of your visit to purchase your membership and apply that day’s tickets.
Membership Office open daily 9am – 4pm
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Your children can be admitted on your membership without you being present, but in order for a nanny/babysitter to use the membership, they must be one of the adult named members. Otherwise, they need to pay admission for themselves, or have their own membership.
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No, we do not offer multi-generational memberships. However, one of our Zookeeper Level or above memberships may meet your needs, as they come with extra one-day general admission tickets. This will allow you to occasionally bring a guest not on your membership, without having to pay additional admission.
GIFT MEMBERSHIPS
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To purchase or renew a membership gift:
Visit our membership office (open daily 9am – 4pm) in person to purchase a gift certificate for giving.
Purchase online as a gift. You can add a custom message with your online gift membership purchase.
Gift memberships will be active immediately upon purchase.
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No problem! Gift certificates are available for purchase in our membership office (open daily 9am – 4pm). Memberships purchased with a gift certificate will become active on the day they are redeemed by the recipient.
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Visit our front gate membership office to purchase a gift certificate or to update your gift recipient’s current membership.
MEMBERSHIPS BENEFITS
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One of the great benefits of being a Mesker Park Zoo member is free or discounted admission to other AZA reciprocating zoos and aquariums. Check the AZA LIST to see which facilities offer free or discounted admission to our members.
To receive your discount, present your digital card to the reciprocating facility with a photo ID. If you don’t have a digital card, request a TRAVEL PASS and photo ID.
*Request a travel pass online and allow five (5) business days for processing.*
Participating zoos and aquariums may be added or removed, and reserve the right to offer different admission discounts depending on the season or special activities taking place. It is always a good idea to call ahead to the zoo or aquarium prior to your visit to confirm the details of their offer.
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Our system recognizes your membership by your email. You will need to register your membership online to receive discounts and benefits, including free special event Etickets. REGISTER TODAY Our exclusive member newsletter, Wild Tidings, and our e-magazine Zoo Lovers are sent via email as our expiration notices and information on sales and special events.
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In order to receive the discounted member price for events and programs, your membership needs to be registered and you need to sign in each time you purchase special event tickets or register for programs such as Summer Camp.
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It depends on the event. Most special events that take place during regular Zoo hours are free to members. Members receive discounts for Boo at the Zoo and Breakfast with Santa. Watch your email for instructions on purchasing your discounted tickets.
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Zoo members receive discounts on birthday parties and on summer Zoo camp. However, keep in mind that birthday parties and Zoo camp frequently fill up very far in advance! Be sure your membership is registered and sign in before purchasing.
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Just show your digital membership card to receive your 10% discount at our gift shop or at the Rainforest Grill.
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All our memberships include unlimited complimentary tram rides when the tram is running on its regular schedule. Just show your digital membership card to the tram driver. Please do keep in mind that the tram is first-come, first-served and may be quite full on busy days.
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No. Just provide your child’s school with a copy of your digital membership card, and your child will be admitted at no charge.
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You may call our membership coordinator at (812) 435-0816 (Monday through Friday), or email membership@meskerparkzoo.com. You may also call the Zoo’s main number at (812) 435-6143; we are open seven days a week including holidays. If you are on grounds, stop by the membership office at the front gate… or ask any other Zoo staff member you can find! We will do our best to help you find an answer.
MEMBERSHIPS POLICIES
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Depending on the membership term selected at time of purchase, your membership is valid for one year or two years from the date of purchase (or, in the case of a gift card, from the date of redemption). Expiration dates are listed on digital cards. You may contact our membership coordinator at (812) 435-0816 or membership@meskerparkzoo.com to check your expiration date, or inquire at our front gate in person or by calling (812) 435-6143.
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No, our memberships are for specific named adults and are non-transferable. If you need to change a name, you may renew your membership early. (We will extend the expiration date, so you won’t “lose” any time.) Children are included with your family, grandparent or zookeeper membership as long as they are under 18 and live in the same household.
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No, our memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Remember, even if you are moving out of the area, you may be able to use your membership to receive free or discounted admission at another Zoo. (Click here for a list.) Your membership dollars help us provide the best possible care for our animals, construct new exhibits, and participate in global conservation efforts, so those funds are never “wasted”!
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While we wish members visited weekly, we cannot assign credit for those who have not used their membership. Even if you have not yet downloaded your digital card, you are always able to visit the Zoo by providing your name and a photo ID at the front gate.
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Please send an email to membership@meskerparkzoo.com with your full name, member number and new contact information.
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Your children will be admitted free. It’s best if the adult accompanying them (caregiver, grandparent, neighbor, etc) can bring a copy of your digital membership card; however, we can look up the membership if necessary. The adults themselves will need to be members or pay general admission. Our Zookeeper level and above memberships include extra one-day admission tickets that can be used by anyone not on your family membership.
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A picture ID is required when purchasing a membership, and to be admitted to the Zoo. This prevents transfer of membership benefits to non-members. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
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Digital membership cards and benefits cannot be shared with individuals not named on the account. We reserve the right to terminate/revoke any membership for misuse or failure to abide by membership and/or Zoo policies.