Zoo

If you are looking for a gift for a family who already has everything, a zoo membership might just be the way to go. A year membership provides entrance not only to the local zoo, but to many zoos throughout the country. The Cleveland Metropark Zoo is one of the zoos that participates in this reciprocal arrangement. It is a great zoo with a variety of animals, including a good aquarium and a wonderful Australian exhibit. The only negative with the Cleveland Zoo is that it is very spread out! Make sure to take the shuttles that are offered to the aquarium or Northern Trek area- it is a LONG walk. more

Even though the Columbus Zoo is closer for us, we chose to be members of the Cleveland Zoo. The rain forest is worth the drive by itself. Add to this the free parking and great seasonal exhibits and it is a great place for a day with the family. Also, reciprocating memberships at the Akron and Toledo zoos, as well as half-price admission in Columbus, makes this zoo a great bargain. more

Well, to keep things simple, the Cleveland Zoo is something of a constantly changing environment. Similar to what wild animals experience. Part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, a gigantic series of parks that stretch throughout Cuyahoga County and neighboring counties in Ohio, this reserved space of land for both foreign and native wildlife has a little bit of something for everyone. For the herpeotologist, the avian lover, or just the kiddies that like to laugh at the hippos, this zoo has pretty much everything. With the special programs that it has every year, there is guaranteed to be something that everyone likes. Well for starters, the admission is reasonable and the entire setup of the zoo is great. I warn you, bring lots of sunblock and comfortable shoes! If ytou want your exercise, this is one place to do it, considering the hill to the "Apes, Aquarium, and Cats" is roughly a mile long and a pretty good angle. Unless you want to laze out and take the train up there. (CHEATER!) The zoo offers a pretty good variety of animals, and plenty of things for the kids. Little boxes around the zoo are let kids put in a "ZooPass" for information about a specific animal, or commentary from the keeper. The ZooPass costs extra, but is good all year long. Plus the kiddies feel special, and wont throw things at the more open exhibits (although I won't mention what my landlord did with a slinky to the Flamingoes at the entrance). To survive this day, make sure you bring a wagon or something similar for the kids. They will be tired as this zoo is a lot of walking, even for the most devout of walkers. Water or Kool-Aid is must! The zoo is relaxed on bringing beverages with you, as long as they are not in a glass container. I usually make a big jug of Kool-Aid and bring some plastic cups along. Whenever I am hiking that hill to the Ape building, I cannot tell you how nice it is to take a break to a refreshing cup of something to drink. Also, bring a hat and some sunglasses. Sunblock is one of those no-brainer bits, even though some of the exhibits are inside, the walk to get to them is outside! The only thing about this zoo I WOULD NOT recommend would be the Rain Forest. It is a separate building that is humid, has free-flying birds, and is basically a bad mock-up of a South American rain forest. The animal collection stinks. If anything, I would only recommend the rainforest to take wedding photos in front of the waterfall in the beginning. Overall, this zoo is a day worth of fun. Mondays have always had free admission (for Cuyahoga County residents), and anytime of year is good to go, although I prefer spring or close to fall. If you need a break with another species, check this place out! more

You can never get tired of visiting the Cleveland Zoo. I took my daughter to visit the “Doctor Zoolittle” show, and she was so impressed. The two ladies that organized the show were lovely and knew how to show the kids a good time. As always, a visit around the zoo with the trolley is a great idea for kids and their parents. A new feature is the camel ride, but your kid has to be over two years old to be eligible for it. more

I could never tire of the zoo...I have lost count of how many times I have been there. Not only is the zoo great during the summer, it is a great deal of fun during the winter. Boo at the Zoo is something to take young kids to that would also be fun for the whole family (even teenagers!). Currently, when you pay for admission to the zoo, you can get into the rainforest at no additional charge. Australian Adventure is a newer exhibit that kids will never want to leave. Other great places are the Rainforest, the polar bears, and the wolf cabin. Parking is free, but pack a snack or bring some money to buy one, because all that walking makes one tired. Shuttles are also available from certain parts of the zoo to others. more

I have been all over the US and have to say that the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the best. The highlight atttractions at the zoo include the Rainforest, Australian Outback, and Wolf Wilderness. It's a shame that the zoo has not seen any capital expansion in the past few years. Regardless, this zoo is excellent. It is much larger than you would expect. The zoo features many rare animals including koalas and lemurs. During the Halloween season do not miss "Boo at the Zoo" as well as the "Christmas Lights" event during Christmas. If you are in the Cleveland area, don't forget to visit the zoo. You won't regret it. more

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest are certainly a sight to see. This zoo rivals most other zoo's in the United States and features an enormous tropical rainforest. You can find dozens of species of wildlife year-round, from monkey and tigers in the summer to seals and polar bears in the winter. It's especially great for families to experience the animals up close. I plan to visit the zoo again this winter for their winter lights festival. more

We spent the entire day enjoying every aspect of this Zoo. It is so nice that is is big enough you never feel crowded even though the Zoo had many visitors the day we were there. I ended up buying a season pass because my daughter couldn't get enough of it. The pass pays for itself after a few visits and is a great investment. more

We like to go to the zoo on mondays because it is free for Cuyahoga County residents with proof of residency. The zoo is good sized and has plenty of animals to see, but is not the nicest that I have been to. The zoo employees/volunteers are qutie knowledgable about animals, though and are fun to talk to. more

Out of all the zoos that I've ever been to, I think that the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is my favorite. The zoo is HUGE, and there's a ton of stuff to do there - exhibits, shows, and lots and lots of animals! One of the neatest parts of the entire park is the rain forest area ... it's a huge enclosed building that mimics a real rain forest with various native plants and animals. The admission is more than at some other zoological parks I've been to, but it is money well spent ... this zoo is fantastic! more

The Cleveleand Metroparks Zoo & Rainforest is an educational and outstanding place to take your family. Ther is the Dr. ZooLittle’s Wild Animal Show at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo which takes you on a veterinarian adventure with free-flying birds and a variety of mammals including a Fennec fox and a two-toed sloth. There is also the Safari Ride. Safari Ride is a 20–seat simulator capsule that takes passengers on exciting and captivating journeys over African plains, into dense jungles and beneath the ocean. Images are projected onto a large screen at the front of the capsule and a computer synchronizes the motion to the film experience. They also have the butterfly exhibit. Many species of exotic butterflies, including Zebra Longwing fly freely in the Zoo's Public Greenhouse through Labor Day. more

I am not a big fan of zoos, but I'll make an exception for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Kids and adults will love it. In addition to being a world class animal park, the zoo offers a full schedule of special events each season. Boo at the Zoo is especially fun for the little ones around Halloween. And Zoo Lights during the December holidays is beautiful at night. The regular admission isn't a ton of money, but you will pay extra for the additional exhibits on the other side of the parking lot, like the Rain Forest and Wolf exhibit. Special events are also ticketed separately. more

Going to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is an experience you will not regret. The zoo has a huge variety of animals, from the biggest elephants to tiny tropical fish in the aquarium. Be sure to check out the orangutans in The Rainforest. They are some of the most interesting creatures I have ever seen. The zoo also provides a tram around the park to make it easier for families with little ones to get around. more

Cleveland has one of the best zoos in the country. There are plenty of animals to see and its fun for all ages. Some favorites for my family are....the tigers & Australian Outback - where wallabies and kangaroos hop freely by the walking path. The animals are well taken care of, the staff is friendly and helpful. Don't forget while you're there to visit the rain forest. more

I have went here several times with my family. On mondays they are free for residents of cuyahoga county. They have quite a few exhibits, for example, monkeys, bears, birds, etc. they have opened up a new veterinary clinic that the kids can go through with a medical kit and examine different exhibits. They have a Mcdonalds, pizza hut, and stands throughout the park for food. more

I love the Cleveland Rainforest; they have butterflies floating around, tiny poisonous tree frogs and snakes in glass cases, actual simulated rain and thunderstorms in one portion, and every animal unique to the rainforest (jaguars, anteaters, gorillas, etc.) I like the aquarium, too - there's an eclectic mix of tropical fish. And the penguins always make me laugh. Overall, the zoo is a fun way to spend a day. Remember: Free admision Monday mornings! more

Cleveland has one of the best zoos in the country. There are plenty of animals to see and its fun for all ages. My mom loves the tigers and we could spend all day there, I enjoy all of the animals. The animals are well taken care of, the staff is friendly and helpful. You can find a variety of things to eat and drink. Lots of walking but worth it. Don't forget to visit the rain forest while you're there......its a little smelly, but you do learn about the rain forest so its worth it. more

Cleveland has one of the best zoos in the country. There are plenty of animals to see and its fun for all ages. Some favorites for my family are....the tigers & Australian Outback - where wallabies and kangaroos hop freely by the walking path. The animals are well taken care of, the staff is friendly and helpful. Don't forget while you're there to visit the rain forest. more