- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Cincinnati Zoo
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Avondale
3400 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(513) 281-4700
3400 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(513) 281-4700
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for Cincinnati Zoo
This is one of the better zoos that I have been to. Let's just start by pointing out the one issue. Parking should be better. I know they are working on this, so that isn't an issue.
They really have a lot of animals here. On top of that, there were many instances where we got to meet the handlers and learn more about the animals. There are plenty of places to eat a snack or a meal. You can even bring in your own food!
This is a great zoo for kids. Plenty of trees for shade. They have a petting zoo area. There is transportation around the park for when the little ones get tired. They even have a 4d theater. I plan on bringing my family back here again!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
I love, Love, LOVE this zoo! Some zoos make me sad because the animals appear bored or unhappy, but here they have wonderful grounds and the animals seem content and stimulated.
It is laid out wonderfully and the landscaping was well-maintained -- especially since we went in October when the fall colors were in full effect. We also enjoyed "HallZOOween" where kids dress up and trick-or-treat around the exhibits (and we didn't even have kids!). In fact, we planned a trip back specifically for this sametime of year.
Definitely one of the better zoos I've been to and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this sort of thing...
this was a fun way to spend the day. I liked the monkeys and wolves. bored...go to the zoo for a few hours, look at an elephant. They r funny
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Hands down one of the best zoos I have ever been to. Even though Columbus has Jack Hannah, that is small potatoes compared to Cincinnati. It is very well - laid out with a loop shape so you can walk around and when you are finished you are back where you started - not to mention there is a trolley that goes around it in case you get tired!
I could spend hours watching the monkeys outside swim and play with each other. find out when the baby rhino will be out, too!
The zoo lights are amazing, too. They really make sure that you get a full experience when you go to the zoo on December 20. Make sure you go see the sarcastic singing tigers in the zoo baby building or the singing tree near santa. The skating rink is a little small, but it definitely can be a fun addition - who doesn't like ice skating and hot chocolate?
Like muse m. said, pack your own lunch. The food really isn't bad, but obviously way overpriced. Or, just go to the Skyline in Oakley or Clifton afterwards instead of paying $5 for a foot long coney.
Best time to go - weekday mornings. This is when the stay-at-home moms take their kids who aren't in school yet and the school groups haven't arrived.
Parking during busy times like zoo lights can be hell, but usually you can find a spot on the street a couple blocks away at the farthest if you don't want to pay for parking.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (3)
This is one good zoo to visit with your kids. It will take the whole day, so pack a lunch to each OUTSIDE the zoo. Good set up and well maintained, feeding time is always a treat and they look like that take care of their complex.... its not in the best part of town, but hey... no ones going to bother the tigers den, if you know what I mean.....
I have driven across the good old USA, three times ( once spending 3 weeks doing so! ) and I decided to add the Cincinnati Zoo to one of my trips! Great choice!
Voted The #1 Family Attraction in Cincinnati! Zagat Survey ranked the world famous Cincinnati Zoo, one of the Top in the nation.
Now I have only 3 other Zoo's to compare it with. Cincinnati is my very favorite with having 70 acres, they have managed to fill it perfectly with everything and more in the way of Animals, Birds, Amphibians. They are also known for their great Botanical Gardens. My favorite is their very large area of Tigers and having one of the largest Siberian White Tiger displays in the world. ( My Favorites ).
The San Diego is #2, Philadelphia #3 and Pittsburgh #4.
Although, I do need to re-visit the Pittsburgh Zoo, since they have grown and added an Aquarium..
http://www.cincyzoo.org/
http://www.pittsburghz.../
http://www.sandiegozoo.../
http://www2.philadelph.../
People thought this was:
- Useful (7)
- Funny (6)
- Cool (7)
"What is that, duck sauce?" my wife's mother asked as we watched the Vampire Bats crowd around a shallow pool of blood (their food) in the nocturnal house at the Cincinnati Zoo. "No it's bloodsauce," my wife joked. A group was coming behind us as she finished saying that. Soon the group began referring to the liquid as "bloodsauce" and my wife and I were unable to contain our laughter.
The Cincinnati Zoo is good for more than just laughs though, it's a world-class Zoo that enables families to check out all kinds of animals. I could list them, but it's safe to say every major animal group is properly represented at the Zoo. Since it's located in the heart of clifton the Zoo has space issues, but they use every inch offered to them to it's fullest and you don't walk far between animal encounters.
Make sure to visit the zoo in the winter time to enjoy their Festival of Lights, a Christmas celebration that sees the zoo covered from end-to-end in Christmas lights. They even set up an ice skating rink in the middle of the park for it!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (2)
While the Cincinnati Zoo is a perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy some relaxed animal viewing in the summer, I personally prefer it in the winter months.
The Festival of Lights, which happens every year at the Cincinnati Zoo between Thanksgiving and New Years, is my absolute favorite Holiday activity in Cincinnati. The staff at the zoo does an excellent job decorating (I read a statistic sometime ago that mentioned something about 3 billion Christmas lights...) and provides yummy hot chocolate, cider, and other warm treats at their snack bars. Visitors can jump on the toy-like train ride that takes riders around the zoo to witness all of the light displays in a few short minutes, or they can opt to just wander around the zoo grounds for a few hours.
I've found that the Festival of Lights is both a particularly romantic activity (no better excuse than being cold to initiate a long embrace) and a family friendly destination...the zoo sets up a whole "Santa's Town" area for little ones to visit with Prancer and Dancer (yes, real reindeer) and sit on Santa's lap.
Sure, the Festival of Lights could be called cheesy, but it's in a way that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. And who doesn't want to feel warm and fuzzy for the holidays?
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (3)
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Cincinnati. It's amazing how much stuff they can pack into what seems to be a decently small piece of land.
Growing up I had so much fun here going with my family and on school field trips. They also hold a gigantic easter egg hunt every year that is so much fun if you are the right age! The train was and still is my favorite part of going to the zoo. The train circles around the grounds and goes up high on tracks above the safari exhibit (which I think has since moved) and then curls back around over the beautiful lake filled with turtles, swans, and ducks.
Some of my other favorites are the white tigers (sometimes they hide though), the cat house (beware it smells kinda funny), and the reptile house (there is an alligator smack dab in the middle). There are peacocks that roam the ground and make lots of 'lovely' noises at you when you are walking by.
Last Holiday Season I attended the Festival of Lights and had a really great time. The whole place is so festive! Besides the fact that some animals just don't come outside that time of year because they may be hibernating, it's a great event for the family. I was there on an especially cold evening and it was nice to have warm apple cider and warm nuts to keep us warm!
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
I had an excellent zoo experience. I'm from Chicago and Lincoln Park Zoo is what I'm used to. Cincinnati zoo impressed me in every way.
We went on a Sunday, and it seemed to be extremely crowded based on the line to get in. However, the line moved quickly and the park handled the capacity very well. Rarely did I feel like I was overcrowded, even at the popular areas. The atmosphere of the zoo is perfect, you forget you are in a city sometimes.
The new Giraffe exhibit was great, my highlight of the visit. The ant exhibit also left a huge impression on me. (Funny how my favorites were basically the biggest and the smallest animals)
At 21 years old, I think I had just as much fun as the families with small children. Go if you get the chance.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Cincinnati Zoo is a perennial summer favorite. While I love seeing the myriad of animals on display, I particularly love the spectacular flower gardens that carpet the zoo grounds. Each different species of plant is identified with a placard listing their common and botanical name.
Other highlights include the Insect House and the Reptile House. Unlike the Big Cats or the Manatees who always garner respect, the bugs and snakes at the Cincinnati Zoo really steal the show for me. Outside of the zoo, it's a different story.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
This zoo is smaller than some, but they make up for it in content. It's a beautifully landscaped zoo, being a botanical garden also. My favorite animals currently at the Cincinnati Zoo are Red Pandas, Pallas cats (especially the baby in the nursery), Lucy the baby Bearcat, Asian penguins, ...that's all I can think of. Those are the animals we make sure to see.
I like the "Oriental Garden" although it's been a little messy lately. The bird house is pretty cool with some areas being open rather than behind glass/fence.
There is a new giraffe exhibit that will be wonderful once the giraffes get used to the visitors. The zoo keeps adding new things within their small space. It may not be as big as other zoos, but it's well worth the visit!
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
If I had to name my favorite places in Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden would easily be in the top three (I actually volunteered in the Children's Zoo several years ago). The Cincinnati Zoo has long been a favorite of mine, and has been for many Cincinnatians for years. Whether you are a small child seeing the elephants and giraffes in person for the first time or a grandparent taking those little ones to see all the great animals, it's really an awesome place for all ages.
The Cincinnati Zoo has built up a solid national reputation, and while I've always thought of it as a really great zoo, it was not until I visited Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo this March that I realized how great ours is. The Tampa zoo was nice and they had some animals that they don't have here in the Queen City, but it didn't even compare to the Cincinnati Zoo. Some of the main attractions/exhibits here are Gorilla World, Wings of the World, Jungle Trails, the Sumatran Rhinos, the Cat House, Lords of the Arctic, Manatee Springs, and the 133-year-old Reptile House. Cincinnati is probably best known for the Elephant Preserve, however, while there is also a good Children's Zoo, and the new feature exhibit this summer: Giraffe Ridge.
The aforementioned exhibits are just some of the highlights of the zoo, which boasts over 500 animals. The Cincinnati Zoo also has more than 3,000 plant species, one of the larger collections in the country, according to its website. While I've never spent much time looking at the plants, there are some really rare and neat plants that definitely contribute to the scenery and atmosphere at the zoo.
My favorite animal has long been the walrus, but unfortunately there haven't been any here in Cincinnati for several years. With lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), zebras, seals, and all the other fascinating animals, its hard for the average zoo-goer to even notice with so many other amazing creatures to see. It doesn't matter if you are little kid, a college student like me, or 65-year-old, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is always a fun place. From all the amazing animals and plans to the zoo's efforts to educate, conserve, and preserve, it's such an amazing place to have right in our backyard.
My most memorable visit to the Cincinnati Zoo came when I was just a lad of 5. On that fateful day we saw a monkey monkeying around with, er, himself; a different monkey flung poo at my sister; and an elephant snorted and sneezed and covered a different sister in elephant snot. For a 5 year old, it just doesn't get any more spellbindingly naughty than this.
The second-oldest (opened 1875) and definitely one of the very best zoos in the country, maybe second only to the San Diego zoo. This has been a pacesetter organization for zoos around the country. They are particularly strong in programs like breeding rhinos and gorillas. If you are in Cincy during a warm period, there's no better place to spend some time.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (3)
The Cincinnati Zoo is possibly one of the best zoo's in the United States, for their breeding, and conservation of endangered animals, as well as their efforts to educate the masses.
I LOVE zoos but this one seems to still remain my favorite even surpassing the San Diego and Dublin Zoo. Maybe its the white tigers or the baby rhino, but its a great place to visit as a tourist or just someone who likes animals and has a few free hours.
Another great thing - the animals actually look healthy... When I lived in New York I checked out the Bronx Zoo with some friends and the polar bear looked near suicidal. But hey - its the Bronx...
Having been to both DC and San diego I would still take our Zoo over theres. Great place. One of the best things about cincinnati.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/30/2008
Having been to both DC and San diego I would still take our Zoo over theres. Great place. One of… Read more »
Go in the Fall, but Pack Your Own Lunch.
I went to the rapidly expanding Cincinnati Zoo a few weeks ago. Early September to be exact. If you're a fan of the animals but not the crowds, then fall zooing will be for you. We arrived a few minutes after 10:00 a.m. and were able to park on the street right across from the Pedestrian Entrance. No meter.
The zoo wasn't crowded. It was easy to move around and best of all, easy to see the animals and exhibits. The Cincinnati Zoo, like most zoos today, is a year-round affair. We're only a few weeks away from the Boo at the Zoo activities, which are presumably more crowded. September is for beating the crowds (and hopefully, the heat).
We were there to see Giraffe Ridge, the raised platform that allows humans to be eye level with Giraffes. The giraffes were gentle and possessed more personality than I would have ever expected. They were wonderful. You could pay to feed them leaves. It's too bad we can't share video on this website since I have a few nice giraffe ones.
There were some interesting things at the country's second-oldest zoo, like the Schott Vanishing Giants Pavilion, which was created for the elephants with a $6 million contribution from Marge Schott. "Vanishing giant," I thought. "Well, I guess it fits. I'll give you that one, honey," I said, taking a puff on an imaginary Pall Mall or whatever dreadful things she smoked while toting her St. Bernards around town and calling everyone honey. The politically incorrect, vanished racist also did some very good things in this city (hey, isn't that what she said about Hitler all those years ago?) and one of them was becoming one of the zoo's biggest benefactors.
The monkeys and apes are always good for photo and video ops. And our closest relatives are always fascinating. The Japanese Macaque were entertaining. The Bonobos flew around the climbing structures. Cincinnati has quite a few of the endangered Bonobo. We share 98.4% of our DNA with Bonobos and chimps.
Then there were what I can only describe as White Fuzzy Monkeys. Mama White Fuzz carried Baby White Fuzz around a few times, stopping to let Baby White Fuzz learn to do his own climbing and swinging. The thing was only the size of a human baby, it was adorable, causing the little girls around us (and me) to squeal with joy. Of course I forgot the monkeys' official name, but you will know them when you see them.
The downside of September at the Zoo is that there's nary food nor drink anywhere. We expected many of the small and medium food carts and stands to be closed. It is down season after all, but still, nothing was open until long after 11:00 a.m. Even then, it was just the food court - your Larosa's, Skyline, etc. The service was slow. Were they understaffed? I don't know, but at one point we just needed some water and couldn't find a thing. September around here always has its share of hot summer days, so the lack of options is not good. Bring your own water.
The only other downside of the zoo experience is that endangered, dying species are around every corner. I appreciate the zoo's efforts to make visitors aware of the calamity of human intervention on the rest of the planet. I would never tell the zoo to pretend that these animals are NOT in grave danger. It's important for people to know, especially children, who ought to be clued in by their parents that the decisions we make kill some of these animals. Yep, I may not be anti-zoo or a member of PETA, but I AM anti-fur, anti-global warming and all the rest of it. The zoo is a great teaching experience for everyone. And there are conservation success stories too, you just have to look a little harder for them.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Awesome...I mean - what more to say? It's not perfect and I like Omaha more - but still it's a great zoo!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Of course the Cincinnati Zoo is fun! The rhinos are especially cool and surprisingly active. I love all the tucked away exhibits like the little penguins, aardvark and naked mole rats in the Insect House.
Bugs! Creepy crawlers! Spiders!
This five star rating of the zoo is based upon the Cincinnati Zoo's Insect House. The Cincinnati Zoo is the only major zoo in the U.S. to have a dedicated insect house. Yes, you may consider me weird or strange as I am fascinated by entomology. I was thrilled to visit the Insect House. Where else can you see taxicab beetles that are black and yellow, and huddled together, look like a bunch of small cabs waiting for riders, or walking sticks who mimic sticks and leaves so closely it's hard to tell where they are, or leaf cutter ants with who grow fungus to feed themselves? The leaf cutter exhibit is quite large and skillfully constructed to show all aspects of the ant's activities. There is also a blind mole rate which is a mammal who's social structure is very like bees or wasps. Think bee hives with a queen at the top the social structure. Many other insects are also on display like bat beetles which live on bat guano. OK, I did say you could consider me weird or strange.
If insects or bugs aren't your thing, the zoo has a perfectly respectful Big Cat house, Manatee House, and other "normal" zoo exhibits. There's a cute train and carousel for children or those who are young at heart to enjoy.
But for me, I'm going back to the Insect House next time I'm in the Queen City cuz it's so interesting.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
With frequent trips to the Queen City every year (my wife is a native and still has family there), I have always heard great things about the Cincy Zoo. I was impressed with how clean and nice it is, but the exhibits were a bit disappointing. We missed the Proctor and Gamble rain forest due to my crabby and squirmy 18 month old son. The remainder of the exhibits seemed pretty standard to other Zoos. Nothing earth shattering or innovative. I was much more impressed by the St. Louis Zoo and haven't been to Milwaukee in 20+ years, but love their's as well.
During a recent tour of the green building at the zoo, we were able to wander into a couple exhibits. I had limited time to walk around but it was nice to visit, I haven't been to the zoo in nearly ten years. Currently there is a lot of noisy construction and finding the right lot to turn into can be frustrating. The elephant exhibit was a little sad. It's hard to see such large, beautiful animals frustrated with captivity but the giraffes seems barely phased. Part of the green building we visited (awarded a silver LEED Certification) is the Schott Education Center, a greenhouse space with lots of vegetation, sloths, toucans and other exotic animals. Surrounding the area are small classrooms for children's workshops on a variety of rain-forest animals. The LEED building's construction is pretty impressive, constructed with high efficiency in mind and full of sustainable building materials it's just the beginning for the zoo. Plans are already going forward for what I believe will be the states first platinum rated LEED building, the highest green rating for the LEED standards.
