Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Cincinnati

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Recently voted the #1 Cincinnati attraction (and consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation), you'll want to visit the largest zoo in the US east of the Mississippi (it's also the 2nd oldest in the country and is designated a National Historic Landmark)!

Be sure to check out Manatee Springs (they're so sweet the way the manatee couples hang out together with one usually having a flipper protectively laid on its partner). You'll also want to see the polar bears at Lords of the Arctic and, if you're fascinated with dangerous things, the Dragons of Komodo.

During the winter holiday season come by to enjoy the PNC Festival of Lights: fun & magical for kids, romantic for couples.

My friend, Carrie, & I stopped by yesterday to check out the zoo while she waited patiently for me to take photos. I took so many I had to make travelogues; please click on the link below to see photos of:
Bears, Bongo & Indian Rhino:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9f9ef/#TL
Manatee, Peacock & Zebra:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9f9f1/#TL
Pink Flamingos, Snakes, & Tiger:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9f9f3/#TL
Polar Bear:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9f9f4/#TL

ADMISSION
Adult - $12
Children (ages 2-12) - $7
Children (2 & under) - FREE
Senior Citizens (62+) - $10
Parking - $6.50
Please see the website for additional info on group rates

Photos: May 9, 2008

Exhibits & Gardens

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country. Opened in 1875, it is the nation’s second oldest zoo and a national historic landmark.

The Zoo’s 75 acres house 510 animal species and 3,000 plant varieties. Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo annually. This not-for-profit entity is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects around the world.

The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was recently rated #1 attraction in Cincinnati and in the top 15 attractions nationally by Zagat Survey. Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide.

One of the top zoos in the world and the #1 attraction in Cincinnatti.

This is the second oldest zoo in the USA at 125 years old.

In the center of Cincinnati it is easy to get too and provides good parking facilities .
Adult admission is $ 9.00 .

The zoo , with only a 75 acre site makes it one of the best zoos for people .
It is an easy walk.

The Toronto Metro Zoo , for instance , has 710 acres and an equivalent number of species on display.

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Usually rated one of the top 5 zoos in the USA, it is more than just about seeing the animals. During the spring & summer, beautiful flowers are planted along the walking paths to accentuate the beauty of the place. Most display areas have been improved to provide a greater degree of *natural habitat* and free space for the animals to move. Also, animal shows are put on daily and often special events are held, such as guest appearances by cartoon characters like Dora the Explorer or Blues Clues.

Very, very nice zoo - they say one of the nicest in America!

We really enjoyed the zoo - it has a mixture of dynamic animal displays, rides, and fair foods.

The cats and monkeys seem to be our favorites. They have a lot of monkeys!

We got our tickets at AAA for a discounted rate - about $10 each.

ADMISSION
Adult admission $11.50; Children (2-12)/$6.00; Children (under two) are FREE; Senior Citizens (62 and over)/$9.00; Parking is $6.50

ADMISSION: GROUP RATES AND SERVICES
Special rates are available to groups of 15 or more. Prices are as follows: Adults/$9.00; Children (2-12)/$5.75; Children (under two) are FREE. Picnic/event facilities available for rental. For more information, call the Group Sales office at (513) 559-7739 at least three working days prior to your visit.

Our grandchildren (pictured) LOVE this zoo, especially when Papa pulls them around it in his big red wagon. Founded in 1875, it is America's second oldest zoo, and is consistently rated as one of the top zoos in the nation. In these 75 acres are 500 animal species and 3,000 plant varieties, drawing 1.2 million visitors per year.

There is far too much at the zoo to list it all here. A few of our favorite sections are:

Wings of the Word
Lords of the Arctic (polar bears)
Manatee Springs
Children's Zoo
Gorilla World
Cat House
Elephant House
Jungle Trails

And there's a whole lot more, so you'd better plan to make a day of it. There are several fast food restaurants, picnic areas, and shops within the zoo grounds.

The zoo is open year round, but hours vary with the season. A special time to visit is just before Christmas when the place dances with a million twinkling lights. Click the web link below for current operating hours.

Admission to the Cincinnati Zoo is:
Adults $11.00
Children $6.00
Under 2 Free
Seniors $9.00

If you are going to visit the zoo more than once, a family season pass is a good deal.

The Cincinnati Zoo opened its doors on September 18, 1875. It was the second major zoological garden in the United States, following the Philadelphia Zoo. A particularly unique aspect of the Zoo's past is its early German influences. The Cincinnati Zoo was largely patterned after the Frankfurt Zoo and other European zoos. The Cincinnati Zoo opened with 65 acres, the same as the Berlin Zoo, then the largest zoo in Europe.

Most of the Cincinnati Zoo's original buildings were completed in 1875. Notable buildings still stand to this date, including the oldest Zoo building in America, the Reptile House, which was originally built in 1875. The Elephant House, opened in 1906 and patterned after similar exotic architecture at the Berlin Zoo, is today one of the most spectacular historic zoo buildings in the world. The Cincinnati Zoo also has some of the nation's earliest barless exhibits. Today, the Cincinnati Zoo is designated as a National Historic Landmark for its "...significance in commemorating the history of (the) U.S.A.".

Since its founding, the Cincinnati Zoo has emphasized plantings and landscape. In the 1980s, the role of plants at the Zoo became more important. In recognition of this philosophical change, in 1987 the official name of the institution was changed from the Cincinnati Zoological Garden to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

The Zoo's award-winning Jungle Trails opened in 1993 and showcases a variety of African and Asian primates as well as many other animals and hundreds of plant species. The Jungle Trails Asian building opened to rave reviews in the summer of 1995. "Wings of the World: A Celebration of Flight," the renovated Bird House opened in summer of 1996 and promises to carry on the tradition.

In 1987, the Coors Pavilion opened on the former Playland amusement ride site. Since then, the Zoo has continued its musical tradition with the PNC Bank Jazzoo Concert Series at the Coors Pavilion, featuring a wide range of musical acts throughout the summer.

(info from Zoo's website)

This zoo, though a city zoo, has about everything. It is also well-planned and laid out so there is a minimum of backtracking to see everything. The eagle exhibit is awesome... you get right in the cage with them.