The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore takes $15 off any membership for teachers who show a valid ID, and the membership levels page says that discount is only available when you buy at the Zoo’s main gate. We didn’t find a teacher rate on single-day admission, and the tickets page says tickets can’t be combined with any other discount or offer.
If you’re the teacher who ends up bringing your own kids and a neighbor’s on a free Saturday, the membership is where the savings are. The Zoo says a basic membership pays for itself in just two visits.
How To Get The Maryland Zoo Teacher Discount
The membership levels page lists $15 off any membership for teachers and college students (with valid ID), with a note that discounts are only available when purchasing at the Zoo’s main gate. The membership FAQ adds that valid ID must be presented in person at the Zoo at the time of purchase to obtain the discount.
That puts this one at the gate, not at online checkout. Because the discount is only available when purchasing at the main gate, a membership you buy online doesn’t get it. If you have questions before you go, the page lists the Membership Office at 443-552-5281 and membership@marylandzoo.org.
What The Membership Costs
The page lists levels from Individual at $70 up to Deluxe at $500, and the $15 comes off any of them. All levels include free unlimited Zoo visits for one year and unlimited rides on the train and carousel. The membership FAQ says the year runs from the date of purchase, not the date of your first visit.
Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferable and can’t be shared between households, and the page says you must present valid ID. Admission on a single-day ticket includes unlimited train and carousel rides too, according to the tickets page.
Who Counts As A Teacher
The page says “teachers and college students (with valid ID)” and doesn’t define either one. It doesn’t say whether you have to teach K-12, whether private school or retired teachers count, or which kind of ID the Zoo accepts, so bring whatever ID shows you’re a teacher and ask at the gate. The same list gives $15 off for seniors (65+) and for military (active and veterans) with valid ID.
Visiting Without A Membership
The tickets and hours page lists no teacher discount. For a larger group, the group reservations page says groups of 20 or more reserved at least 2 weeks in advance receive discounted admission, and it lists a bulk ticket rate of $24 per person (ages 2+).
School Field Trips
School visits are a separate benefit from the teacher discount. The school visit page says funding from the Maryland State Department of Education and private foundation support lets the Zoo offer free admission for Maryland public school students, including those in Head Starts and Judy Centers, on an official school field trip. The program is available throughout the regular school year for Maryland public schools, Head Starts and Judy Centers.
Chaperones are free in the ratio of one adult for every eight students, and IEP-mandated 1:1 assistants are admitted free. Teachers and other school staff are admitted free for eligible schools if they’re part of that 8:1 ratio. Beyond it, the page says they can receive a discounted group ticket rate when they’re included in the Entry Pass and enter with the field trip group, and extra adults and children can get the group sales rate.
Non-public Maryland schools, including private, parochial, home schools and preschools, can use the free program only during a set window the page lists, so check it before you book. The Visit FAQ says out-of-state schools also receive a discount and doesn’t list the rate, and that advance reservations are required.
Field trip groups can pay at entry by credit card or check. Purchase orders aren’t accepted and cash is strongly discouraged. For payment options, the page lists 443-992-4585.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
The pages don’t say whether the $15 can be combined with another discount on the same list, such as the senior or military offers. The membership FAQ says existing members are offered renewal discounts, and it doesn’t say whether the teacher discount applies when you renew. We also didn’t find a price for a teacher-rate membership beyond the $15 off, so check the final amount at the gate.
Q&A
Does the Maryland Zoo give teachers a discount?
Yes, on memberships: $15 off any membership with a valid ID. We didn’t find a teacher rate on admission tickets.
Can I get the teacher membership discount online?
The page says discounts are only available when purchasing at the Zoo’s main gate.
What do I bring?
A valid ID, shown in person at the time of purchase. The page doesn’t say which kind of ID it wants.
Do college students get the same discount?
The page lists $15 off any membership for teachers and college students with valid ID.
Are school field trips free?
For Maryland public school students on an official field trip, yes, with chaperones free at one adult for every eight students. A group that isn’t eligible but has 20 or more people may be eligible for discounted admission through group reservations.
More Information:
The details above come from the Maryland Zoo’s own pages as they loaded when we checked, and programs change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.
