Guest Services
Contact Southwick’s Zoo Guest Services:
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Our Guest Services window, located at admissions, is open daily during the zoo season (early April through October) to offer assistance to our visitors. If you are planning a trip to our zoo, please first review all Safety Rules and our Frequently Asked Questions to help prepare for your visit.
Jump to a section:
Zoo Map • Guests With Limited Mobility • Rentals • Accessibility & Sensory Information • Service Animal Policy
Southwick’s Zoo Map
Guests With Limited Mobility
Southwick’s Zoo is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and currently meets all state and federal standards. Not all pathways in the zoo are paved, however all exhibits and events are available to each guest visiting the zoo.
We advise ALL visitors to use caution while moving throughout the zoo. Remember to keep the following in mind while traveling through the zoo:
- Please go SLOW and use extra caution if in a wheelchair or pushing someone in a wheelchair.
- Please watch for uneven pavement and use caution on the transition from pavement to hard dirt.
- The zoo map looks flat, but the zoo consists of 3 levels – 1) Upper Level where you begin at the main entrance, 2) Middle Level where Zebra Café and EARTH Discovery Center are located, and 3) Lower Level where lions, tigers, show arena, and train station are located.
- It is easier to navigate by STARTING WITH THE LOWER LEVEL (this way guests will not get “stranded” on the lower level after a full day of activity) by leaving the main entrance and slowly making your way straight down the hill past Zebra Café towards the show arena and rhino habitat.
- To reach the middle level from the lower level, we suggest going by way of the train station and chimpanzees to access the middle level. This is an easier incline to manage.
- To reach the upper level, we suggest going through Deer Forest from the chimpanzees towards the giraffe habitat. We do NOT recommend going up the Playground Hill or the Camel/Rainforest Maze Hill, as these are steep and difficult to manage.
Rentals
*Note: Rentals are not available for special events including the Festival of Illumination or Winter Wonderland.
In partnership with Go Roll Mobile, we offer double or single stroller, wheelchair, and scooter rentals for all daytime visitors (rentals are not available during the Festival of Illumination).
Strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters cannot be reserved in advance.
As you arrive at the zoo, please scan the QR code at the main entrance or at the rentals area. From there, you can choose the type of rental and pay for it right from your phone! Once you receive a confirmation receipt, please check in with the rental staff to pick up your rental.
Rental Rates:
Stroller $9
Double Stroller $12
Wheelchair $15
ECV Scooter $38
Rental Guidelines
- All rentals must be returned to the entrance no later than 5:00 pm.
- Renters must be at least 18 years of age to operate ECV scooters. Guests will be prompted to sign the online waiver during the rental process.
- Rentals must be rented and paid using credit card in the online portal via QR Code provided at rental area. Sorry, we no longer accept cash transactions.
Notice about Galliford’s Stroller Parking:
Please be aware that, after the zoo closes, any strollers parked in the stroller parking on Galliford’s lower patio will be moved to the stroller parking area located at Galliford’s front entrance.
Reminder: All rental strollers MUST be returned to the entrance no later than 5:00 pm. If you do not return your rental by 5:00 pm, your deposit will not be returned or your ID will need to be mailed to you the next day.
Accessibility & Sensory Information
Southwick’s Zoo has partnered with the Autism Alliance of Metrowest to help us better accommodate guests with sensory processing needs and to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for guests of all abilities.
Sensory Bags
Available at the Guest Services window. Visitors can borrow a sensory bag which includes: a ID badge/sticker, lanyard, noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, water timer, squishy toy, gripstick, and social story booklet.
Social Stories
Guests can view and download Social Stories to help prepare for their visit. Click here to view social stories.
Service Animals
In compliance with ADA regulations, service dogs are allowed in the zoo. As defined by the ADA, service animals are animals trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Pets providing emotional support, well being, comfort, or companionship are not recognized as service animals under ADA regulations. Please be aware that pets, emotional support animals, and therapy animals are not allowed inside the zoo.
Restrictions:
For the safety of the service animal and the animals in the zoo, service dogs not allowed in the following areas: Deer Forest, Petting Zoo, Parakeet Aviary, Elk Forest (Train Ride), or the Bird Show Area. We also ask that those with service animals please keep their distance from the following exhibits: lions, tigers, cheetahs, servals, leopard, chimpanzees, and giraffes.
