San Antonio Zoo’s 'Pay for a Day, Get an Entire Year Free' Membership Opens Door to Congo Falls and Year-Round Family Visits
A day at San Antonio Zoo can now stretch into an entire year of family outings.
Through the zoo’s “Pay for a Day, Get an Entire Year Free” membership offer, guests ages 3 and older can purchase a year of admission starting at $44.99. For local families looking for affordable things to do in San Antonio, the membership may make it easier to return throughout the seasons instead of trying to fit every exhibit, animal encounter and activity into one visit.
Members can also explore Congo Falls, the zoo’s new two-acre gorilla habitat offering expansive views of seven Western lowland gorillas. Promoted as the world’s tallest and most ambitious gorilla experience, the habitat gives visitors new ways to observe the gorillas and learn about their behavior, care and conservation.
San Antonio Zoo Membership Prices and Benefits
The Pay for a Day Membership is available for guests ages 3 and older. The annual membership starts at $44.99, with a monthly payment option beginning with a first payment of $21.12 followed by payments as low as $2.17 per month.
Benefits include unlimited zoo visits, free parking, admission to special “WILD” events throughout the year and access to Congo Falls.
For families who expect to visit regularly, free parking can add practical value to the membership. Repeat visits also allow children to experience the zoo at a slower pace, return to favorite animals and notice how habitats and seasonal activities change throughout the year.
San Antonio Zoo also offers two additional membership levels.
The Advocate Membership starts at $7 per month for guests ages 3 and older. It includes unlimited visits on operating days, free parking, 10% off food and merchandise, and additional membership benefits. The first payment includes a $25 initiation fee along with the first monthly or annual payment.
The Guardian Membership starts at $15 per month for guests ages 3 and older. Members receive unlimited visits on operating days, free parking, 10% off food and merchandise, and unlimited carousel rides. Its first payment also includes the $25 initiation fee and the first monthly or annual payment.
What Families Can See at San Antonio Zoo
Covering more than 50 acres, San Antonio Zoo is home to more than 700 species, including animals that are endangered or extinct in the wild. More than 1 million guests visit the zoo each year, and the grounds remain open throughout the year.
The zoo map guides visitors through major areas including Africa Live!, Big Cat Valley, Wild Australia, Asian Forest, Cat Grottoes, Neotropica, The Grotto, Naylor Savanna and the new Congo Falls area. Families can also find animal experiences, educational spaces, restaurants, gift shops, restrooms, nursing and changing stations, first aid, lockers and other visitor services throughout the property.
Because there is so much to explore, a yearlong membership can help families divide the zoo into manageable outings. One visit might focus on gorillas and other primates, while another could be built around birds, big cats, reptiles or hands-on educational experiences.
Congo Falls Brings a New Gorilla Experience to San Antonio
Congo Falls centers on seven Western lowland gorillas in an immersive two-acre environment designed to create broad viewing opportunities.
For visitors, the habitat offers a closer look at one of the zoo’s most recognizable species. For the zoo, it also supports its broader work in animal care, wildlife education and conservation.
A visit to Congo Falls can become more than a photo opportunity. Parents and caregivers can use the experience to talk with children about endangered species, habitat protection and the role accredited zoos play in conservation efforts.
More Than a Century of San Antonio Zoo History
San Antonio’s zoo history began with a collection of animals assembled in San Pedro Park during the 1800s.
In 1914, Colonel George W. Brackenridge donated buffalo, elk, deer, monkeys, a pair of lions and four bears. The animals were placed on land he had deeded to the city in what is now Brackenridge Park, forming the foundation of San Antonio Zoo.
The zoo later became known for innovations in animal exhibits. In November 1929, the Barless Bear Terraces and Primate Paradise opened as two of the first cageless exhibits in the United States, giving visitors views that were unusual for the time.
The Richard Friedrich Aquarium followed in 1948 and was described by the local press as “the world’s greatest.” In 1966, the Hixon Bird House opened through the efforts of Colonel Frederick C. Hixon. Its simulated tropical rainforest and free-flying birds helped establish a collection that has grown into one of the largest zoo bird collections in the world.
That history remains part of the experience today, as newer habitats such as Congo Falls continue the zoo’s long effort to improve how guests encounter and understand wildlife.
A Nonprofit Mission Focused on Wildlife
San Antonio Zoo is operated by the San Antonio Zoological Society, a nonprofit organization committed to securing a future for wildlife.
Through animal care, conservation and education, the organization works to inspire people to love, engage with, act for and protect animals and their habitats. San Antonio Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America. It is also Humane Certified by American Humane.
For the San Antonio community, the zoo serves as both a family destination and an educational resource. School groups, parents, grandparents and young visitors can use each trip as an opportunity to connect what they see in an exhibit with larger questions about wildlife and the natural world.
Why the Membership Offer May Matter for Local Families
The value of a San Antonio Zoo membership depends on how often a household expects to visit, but the “Pay for a Day” format gives families the flexibility to return without purchasing a new general admission ticket for every outing. Learn more about this opportunity here.
That can be especially useful during school breaks, weekends, family visits and days when parents need an outdoor activity close to home. Rather than feeling pressure to see the entire zoo at once, members can stop by for a few hours, revisit favorite habitats or plan separate trips around special events.
With Congo Falls now part of the experience, the membership also offers a new reason for longtime guests to return and see how San Antonio Zoo continues to evolve after more than a century in Brackenridge Park.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more San Antonio family activities, community events and local attractions.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.