Sedgwick County Zoo Offers Half-Price Admission
Wichita families can save on zoo entry this weekend as the popular, temporary Stingray Cove attraction closes its doors.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Aquariums
Live Poll
Do you prefer seasonal attractions or permanent facilities at your local zoo?
The Sedgwick County Zoo is offering half-price admission to visitors from October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026. This promotion marks the final weekend of the seasonal Stingray Cove attraction.
Why it matters
The zoo is closing the current Stingray Cove experience to prepare for the development of a permanent, year-round habitat. This shift is part of a broader master plan to enhance the zoo's permanent animal housing facilities.
Visitors can access the 50% discount on standard admission rates from October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026. This limited-time offer coincides with the permanent closure of the Stingray Cove exhibit, which first opened to the public in 2021.
The players
Sedgwick County Zoo
A major Wichita institution that manages animal exhibits and long-term site planning.
The details
Stingray Cove functioned as a seasonal, outdoor space that provided guests with opportunities to touch and feed both cownose and Southern stingrays. Because the attraction was intended to be a temporary experience, the facility is now being phased out to facilitate a transition toward a permanent, year-round stingray habitat. This future facility is already accounted for in the zoo's long-term site master plan.
Timeline
Stingray Cove opened in 2021.
Half-price admission is available from October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026.
The Home Front
This transition aligns with the broader master plan at the Sedgwick County Zoo to upgrade seasonal exhibits into permanent, climate-controlled environments. Such updates are consistent with modern zoological trends focused on increasing habitat durability and year-round visitor capacity.
Families planning a final visit to see the rays should clear their calendars for this coming weekend before the exhibit permanently closes. Check the official zoo website before you travel to confirm operating hours and any additional visitor guidelines for your trip.
The takeaway
The closure of this temporary exhibit marks a shift toward a more permanent stingray experience at the zoo. Keep an eye on the zoo's future master plan updates to see when the new year-round habitat is scheduled to debut.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local marine and aquatic exhibits at the Aquariums section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSN-TV.
Live Poll
Do you prefer seasonal attractions or permanent facilities at your local zoo?
