Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Updated June 11, 2025

## Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport, Connecticut): What to Know Before You Go

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is Connecticut’s only zoo and has a history of over 100 years. Beardsley Zoo It sits inside Beardsley Park and positions itself as both a family attraction and a conservation-focused institution (including participation in AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs). Beardsley Zoo

Location: 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610 Beardsley Zoo
Coordinates: 41.2097156, -73.1821327 (from your provided data)

### Why it’s worth your time (fact-based)
– The zoo reports 300+ animals, representing primarily North and South American species. Beardsley Zoo
– It highlights endangered and threatened species on-site, including Amur leopard, Andean condor, red wolf, maned wolf, giant anteater, and golden lion tamarin. Beardsley Zoo
– It is AZA-accredited through September 2029, which signals adherence to a recognized set of standards in animal care, conservation, and operations.

## Hours, closures, and what’s open inside

### Zoo hours
– Open daily: 9:00am–4:00pm Beardsley Zoo
– Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day Beardsley Zoo
– Early closing: Closes at 12:00pm the day before those holidays Beardsley Zoo
– The zoo notes hours can change due to weather, operational capacity, staffing, and conditions. Beardsley Zoo

### On-site facilities (with posted hours)
These are explicitly listed on the zoo’s guest info page:
– Peacock Café: 9:00am–4:00pm; grill closes at 3:30pm Beardsley Zoo
– Carousel: 9:00am–4:00pm; final ride at 3:45pm Beardsley Zoo
– Rainforest Building: 10:30am–3:30pm Beardsley Zoo
– Kathy Brady Education Center: Sat–Sun 10:00am–3:00pm; Tue–Thu 11:00am–2:00pm Beardsley Zoo

## Tickets, discounts, and entry rules

### General admission prices
– Adults (12–61): $20.00 Beardsley Zoo
– Children (2–11): $16.00 Beardsley Zoo
– Seniors (62+): $16.00 Beardsley Zoo
– Ages 0–1: Free Beardsley Zoo
– Zoo members: Free admission; no reservation required (show membership card + ID) Beardsley Zoo

### How to buy tickets (and who must pay in person)
– The zoo states tickets must be purchased online prior to your visit; if you can’t select a date/time, it indicates the day is sold out. Beardsley Zoo
– EBT card holders and library pass users must purchase tickets in person at the front gate ticket window. Beardsley Zoo

### Discounted admission options (access-focused)
– Library pass: $10/person, up to 6 people on the pass (must present the checked-out pass at the ticket window). Beardsley Zoo
– EBT discount (not a form of payment): $10/person, up to 6 people on the card, with valid photo ID shown by the recipient. Beardsley Zoo

## Getting there, parking, and mobility help

### Parking
– Parking is free. Beardsley Zoo

### Rentals and accessibility supports (priced + stated policies)
– Single stroller: $7.00 Beardsley Zoo
– Double stroller: $9.00 Beardsley Zoo
– Wheelchairs: free of charge, first come/first served Beardsley Zoo
– Mobility scooter: $30 for 3 hours Beardsley Zoo

## Service animals: what’s allowed (and one specific restriction)
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo states:
– Service animals are limited to dogs trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability (not pets or emotional support animals). Beardsley Zoo
– Service dogs must remain harnessed/leashed unless that interferes with work, in which case they must still be under the guest’s control. Beardsley Zoo
– Specific access restriction: guests with service dogs must avoid the area between the tiger and leopard habitats. Beardsley Zoo

## Conservation signals you can verify on-site
If you care about conservation credibility, Beardsley Zoo explicitly positions itself as:
– AZA-accredited and involved in SSP programs Beardsley Zoo
– Focused on education, conservation, research, and guest experience as part of its mission and stated goals Beardsley Zoo

## Practical planning notes (only what’s stated)
– Food: Peacock Café is open during zoo hours, and the zoo states guests are allowed to bring their own food. Beardsley Zoo
– Weather: tickets are rain or shine and the zoo states it does not offer refunds due to weather. Beardsley Zoo

## Outdated-data flags (so you stay accurate)
– Admission prices, hours, and facility schedules are posted by the zoo, but the zoo also notes that hours are subject to change due to weather/operations/staffing. Always re-check right before you go. Beardsley Zoo
– I could not add “contextual internal links” to RealJourneyTravels.com without a confirmed internal URL structure or site map (guessing would not be factual).

If you share 2–3 relevant RealJourneyTravels URLs (or your standard category patterns), I can insert the internal links cleanly while keeping everything strictly verifiable.

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

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