Top Things to do in Ohio
Top Hotels in Ohio
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
- 2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown
- 3. Graduate Columbus
- 4. The Westin Cincinnati
- 5. Berlin Grande Hotel
- 6. Ohio University Inn & Conference Center
- 7. Hyatt Place Columbus/Worthington
- 8. Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
- 9. Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown
- 10. 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati
Countries
Things to do in Ohio, United States: The Best Zoos & Aquariums
If you are looking for an active place to stay with world-class attractions, Ohio’s major cities can satisfy any vacation desire. Each offers its own distinct flavor of fun, from professional sports – Bengals (Cincinnati), Cavaliers (Cleveland) and Indians (Cleveland again) – to museums, outdoor activities and more. One of the most famous is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. If football is your thing, don’t miss the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. For the science-minded, visit the meat eaters at the Carnivore Conservation Center in the Wilds near Cambridge, dedicated to the breeding and scientific study of endangered mid-sized carnivores. Kids will also love Planet Snoopy in Sandusky or the Columbus Zoo’s Zoombezi Bay Waterpark and Jack’s Landing rides.
Restaurants in Ohio
1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,800 reviews
This second oldest zoo in the U.S., considered one of the best in the country, is most renowned for its endangered species and birthing programs, particularly for gorillas and white tigers, and has a wonderful collection of felines and a delightful manatees exhibit.
Reviewed By 339matthewf - Cincinnati, United States
I've been coming to this zoo for 30 years and I cannot express in words the memories that have been made here. I remember when Bruiser the walrus would spit water on me as a kid (excellent way to cool off on a summer's day). I got to stay overnight and do a guided night tour, traveled behind the scenes to see how they take care of animals, and have watched this place grow throughout the years. 'Africa' added lions and a large paddock for grazers in addition to a nice balcony with tables overlooking the whole area. Cooling stations run all day when it's hot, penguins roam the paths with keepers when it's cold, and I proposed to my wife at the Festival of Lights 'round Christmas. They also have animal encounters which, while a bit pricey, contribute to conservation efforts and offer once in a lifetime experiences like being face to face with an elephant. You can feed a giraffe if you like. They have learning stations everywhere, rotating educational encounters, and anyone in a zoo uniform will tell you a personal story about one or more of the animals. Finally, if you plan to go, I strongly advise a membership pass if only for the free parking. You get discounts on food and merch, as well; it pays for itself in two trips. Check the website out, too; they have some really cool events that go to help with conservation efforts and are a lot of fun to attend. Give it a shot and you might find you keep coming back for the rest of your life.
2. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,564 reviews
Home to more than 11,000 animals representing nearly 600 species from around the globe, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Course. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also operates the Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact; annually contributing $4 million of privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
Reviewed By LynnD304 - Lynchburg, United States
My husband and I and another couple visited the Columbus Zoo on Saturday July 7 and absolutely loved it! We saw so many animals! So much better than another zoo we visited a few years ago. There is plenty of shade and places to sit and rest if you need it. And since I went to Africa this past February I totally loved the Africa section. Lots of lions and one female jumped up on a ledge right in front of me. A gorilla did too! Lots of giraffes that seemed to be pretty friendly. Came right up to us. I really hope to have the opportunity to visit this zoo again. Absolutely awesome.
3. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,641 reviews
Don't miss this exciting metropolitan zoo best known for having the largest collection of primates in the United States and for its Rainforest exhibit, which features a thrilling simulated tropical rain storm.
Reviewed By KristiC566
I went to the Cleveland Zoo with my daughter and 1 year old granddaughter. I was so impressed with the beautiful park. So many fun things to do, even with small children. They pulled out all the stops here to make this as interactive as possible for its visitors. The Australia exhibit has a little train that will take you through the dingo, wallaby, and camel areas, you can also walk through these areas as well and the wallaby’s can actually come into the paths where visitors are waking! You can even ride a camel if you want to! We purchased an additional “bracelet” for $10/pp that gave us unlimited 4d movies, train ride, and carousel rides in addition to discounts on the camel ride and feeding the giraffes. Most of the exhibits are up close and personal, not just waking through glass enclosed partitions like at some zoos. Feeding the giraffes was so cool and although my granddaughter wasn’t too fond of the camel ride, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it. They have beautifully thought out landscaping and it was just gorgeous throughout. The tree house in the Australia exhibit area was “Disney” worthy and the Asia exhibit areas with the snow leopard looked like something you would find at Disney park as well. They offer zoo overnights - at very reasonable prices. Overall, this is a great family activity for very reasonable entrance fees. Would love to visit here again soon!
4. Toledo Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,809 reviews
Get an underwater view of hippos at the Hippoquarium, the only such zoo exhibit in the world, and then move on to see the 500 or so other species of mammals, reptiles and birds.
Reviewed By jolynb978 - Temperance, United States
There's a good reason this zoo has been rated top in the country...because it's amazing!! I have lived near this zoo my entire life and watched its growth and transformation. There are so many animal exhibits, hands on attractions and special events to participate in. The animals cages are always clean and they are well cared for. The lights at the zoo in the winter are equally as amazing and a family favorite. I highly recommend this zoo as a great family outing.
5. Akron Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
Reviewed By AnitaS398 - Chesterland, United States
The Akron Zoo started out as a children's zoo years ago...it was a start, not very good, and was closed during the winter months. Then...something changed. A new zoo director came to Akron and the zoo started getting better. Then...a woman zoo director took over and things really got much better and is still getting better yet. This zoo has only just so much space in which to expand, but the way the land has been redone and new exhibits have been added and are still being added as I write this review...it is amazing how a dinky zoo has stepped up to being a top notch zoo with natural habitat exhibits and naturalistic exhibits that are good for the animals and the people on the other side of the enclosures. The only exhibit that is not so good is the bird enclosure for native birds to our region...there are two ways to see this...from the outside which you are looking through mesh or through a walk through platform in the top of the trees....and there are very few birds to see besides one turkey. As for the grizzly bear exhibit, this is wonderful. Giant picture windows get you up close to see the two bears (brother and sister) and the exhibit is rather large with grasses growing wild as they should be. A new exhibit that opened up this summer, 2019, is a large natural (will be much more natural in a year or two when the natural grasses grow) is for African lions. There are two "prides" (not really prides, since one pride is only two lions) that rotate in the exhibit since you can't put two males together who are strangers. The original lions (a bonded pair, male and female) are exhibited one day, then there will be three new lions (a male and two females) exhibited on another day. In the exhibit next to the lion exhibit is a large enclosure that has white storks, Speke's gazelles, and a smaller bird or two. There are goats for the people to feed, there is a wonderful garden with beautiful plants and flowers, there is an aquarium of a sort, a carousel, penguin exhibit, lemur exhibit, snow leopards, etc.... enough animals to see to keep you busy for a few hours. They also have a few eagles, a few owls, a jaguar, a capybara,, bats, snakes, a few Andean condors, etc.... What is being built now is a whole new asian area exhibit that will include tigers, red pandas, and I don't know exactly what else....but it should be interesting and better than what it is replacing. Parking is $3.00, and if you must throw coins into a body of water, you can do so outside of the entrance to the zoo in a naturalistic fountain on the right side of the entry doors. If you are handicapped, you can rent a scooter for a charge. The paths around the zoo are paved and handicapped accessible. As for zoo hours....the zoo is open at 10AM and closes at 5PM in the summer months. The zoo is open in the winter....but you must dress for the weather. I don't know what you would see in the winter, but I will say that this is more of an outdoor zoo, even if there is an indoor place with exhibits and a food concession and eating area. And....right now as construction for the Asian exhibits progress, in order to see the rest of the zoo, there is an uphill climb to get to these exhibits, so wear good walking shoes. Oh, by the way, they do have zoo "shows" in a building behind the zoo garden that are geared to keep children interested.
6. Heaven's Corner Zoo & Animal Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Heavens Corner Zoo is a 501(c)(3)Non-profit, USDA licensed & inspected Organization/Animal Sanctuary/Facility not funded by any outside sources. We are here for the Conservation through Education of the Animals that they have taken in from bad situations & from Facilities that have been forced out of business.
7. Wagon Trails Animal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By miradawnp - Pittsburgh, United States
Awesome time! The camels are hilarious! They don’t give up! They literally chase the truck and run along side it. We laughed so hard and had a wonderful afternoon. The pitting zoo area is wonderful also. I am obsessed with baby goats so I was in my happy place ☺️ I definitely recommend visiting.
8. Safari Junction, Home Of Valley Exotics
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By L_D_vacation - Oxford, United States
My son is 2 & he really enjoyed it. If your thinking this is a “zoo” along the lines of Columbus/Cincinnati think again. There isn’t any comparing them. This is like a giant petting zoo meets a family farm. Its family run. The owner & his kids are very nice. It’s $8 for adults, kids 3 & under are free. For $16 the 3 of us spent 1.5-2 hours. It’s all outdoors so a great outing for us in the pandemic. Not crowded maybe 4-5 other families there on a Sunday morning. They also have a great produce stand out front, everything is very fresh. I didn’t have cash so I was able to have them charge my cc for what I bought which was nice. We decided to buy a family pass that is good for the rest of the 2020 season & all of 2021.
9. African Safari Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,039 reviews
Have you ever fed a Camel? Been nose-to-nose with a Bison? If not, you will at African Safari Wildlife Park! From Alpaca to Zebra, we have hundreds of exotic animals awaiting your arrival. The Park celebrated its 52nd WILD Season in 2020. We can’t wait to see you at THE Ohio Safari Park!
Reviewed By amberwB7555UL - Zionsville, United States
This place is great place to take kids! You get to feed the animals from your car and see shows, makes for some great memories!
10. Butterfly House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By 496pf - Bowling Green, United States
I have lived only about a half hour from Whitehouse for years and have heard about Butterfly House. After FINALLY making the trip, my niece and I can't wait to visit again! Hundreds of butterflies in a greenhouse full of beautiful flowers and trees, I could sit here ALL day. Every kid, old and young gets excited when a butterfly finally chooses you to land on! Very informative staff who seem to love working there as much as you'll love visiting. Can't wait to go back for the corn maze this fall!
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