Montgomery Zoo cuts ribbon on new admissions complex + gift shop

Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine

Reading time: 3 minutes

Group of officials and guests cutting a ribbon at the Montgomery Zoo entrance gate
The ceremonial ribbon is cut on the Montgomery Zoo’s brand-new entrance complex. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

The Montgomery Zoo welcomed city officials, supporters and local leaders on Monday, Sept. 14, to officially unveil its brand-new admissions complex with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The project marks a major milestone for Central Alabama’s only zoological park. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, the public can walk through the doors and experience the newly transformed entry complex firsthand.

What’s new at the Montgomery Zoo entry complex

People browsing the Montgomery Zoo gift shop filled with plush toys, apparel racks, and merchandise displays
Guests explore the modern gift shop entrance during Monday’s opening ceremony. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

The updated Montgomery Zoo facility serves as a sleek, modern “front door” that matches the rest of the high-caliber exhibits throughout the roughly 40-acre zoo. Designed to streamline entry and elevate the overall guest experience, the new complex features:

  • Admissions office + gateway: Streamlined ticket counters and member services designed to reduce wait times and improve accessibility.
  • Spacious gift shop: A brand-new retail space stocked with fresh merchandise, apparel and souvenirs
  • Guest amenities: Modernized restrooms, a dedicated lactation room for parents, improved security measures and enhanced accommodations for zoo staff
Row of blue Montgomery Zoo souvenir cups printed with animal silhouettes and "Local Zoo Global Impact," on a gift shop shelf
Fresh souvenir drinkware available inside the spacious new gift shop. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

“People can experience something in person that an iPhone or Android can’t give them by looking at it on video. So, that’s the reason why we made these types of investments.”

— Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed

A regional investment + big plans for the future

Rows of white folding chairs set up outside the Montgomery Zoo entrance for an event
A look at the modern, redesigned “front door” of the Montgomery Zoo. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

During the Monday morning ceremony, Mayor Steven Reed highlighted the significance of the project, noting that this new gateway is not only a win for Montgomery or the River Region, but for all of central Alabama.

“It is the front door to a regional investment that is supported by this city. We also share a commitment to caring for the animals that are here, the guests that come to learn and explore and for the staff to create a meaningful experience.”

— Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed
A woman exits the Montgomery Zoo gift shop while two visitors chat outside the entrance on a sunny day
Attendees step out of the brand-new gift shop and admissions complex. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

Mayor Reed also teased that this project is just the beginning of what’s planned for the zoo’s future, adding that additional announcements regarding park enhancements will be made in the near future.

Plan your visit to the Montgomery Zoo

Montgomery Zoo staff member in vest holding a hawk on a gloved arm outdoors near a bench
Up-close animal encounters greeted guests during the opening festivities. (Leo Hall / Montgomery UP)

Ready to check out the new entrance complex for yourself? Here is everything you need to know before heading out.

  • Address: 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36110
  • Hours: Daily from 9:30AM–4:30PM (Last admission at 3:30PM)
  • Admission:
    • Adults: $19
    • Seniors (65+): $17
    • Children (Ages 3–12): $15
    • Toddlers (Ages 2 & under): FREE

Will you be checking out the brand-new entrance complex and gift shop on your next visit to the Montgomery Zoo? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.

Leonard Hall
Leonard Hall

Leo Hall joined Montgomery UP as a content producer in May 2026.

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