Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati
Categories
Location on the map
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, US
Accessibility
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 513-281-4700
Site: http://cincinnatizoo.org/
Site: http://cincinnatizoo.org/
Opening hours
- Monday:9AM–5PM
- Tuesday:9AM–5PM
- Wednesday:9AM–5PM
- Thursday:9AM–5PM
- Friday:9AM–5PM
- Saturday:9AM–5PM
- Sunday:9AM–5PM
Comments (199)
Very nice zoo! Lots of walking, and thank you for the sprinklers to help with the heat. Can you please put more of these throughout the park? We had Graters Ice cream and it was delicious! It was a nice way to cool down. Some of the animals were not out and some places to eat were closed. There was an employee to tell us about almost every animal. It was nice to see so many people working. It really helped to enjoy our visit. Gift shop was pricy. They didn’t offer bags, you had to buy one. Bring your walking shoes! Plenty of water and maybe even some snacks! It’s fun and cool to see but a lot of walking! The bird theatre was kinda cool! And there was beautiful flowers everywhere! But your tickets in advance to save time! We went on a Weekday.
First time here, we drove 3 hours to visit. Traffic to park is a bit hectic, so plan for that. Otherwise we enjoyed our time here. We were disappointed several of the exhibits were closed, but that is how it goes sometimes. Fiona interacted with the little kids and my son loved it. Could definitely see ourselves coming back.
Very large. Took us 4 hours. Great variety with a lot of updated enclosures. The train ride is very brief. Worth the price of admission just to see Fiona but the rest of the zoo does not disappoint.
What a great zoo that is fun for the everyone in the family. There is plenty of snacks and bathrooms. We enjoyed seeing Ms. Sassy herself Ms. Fiona. That was such a treat. We had a special excursion with Mr. Moe the sloth and that was so much fun to get a chance to feed him. Definitely recommend visiting this zoo.
We had a great day. We just wish they would have had a paper map for my Mom as she is not tech savvy and she likes to keep them.The staff were very helpful whenever we had a question. Our favorite was seeing the 🐘 elephants and the manatees. While visiting the manatee area we were able to watch scuba divers clean the tanks.
This is an awesome zoo! You can see everything in about 6 hours if you dont backtrack too much. Almost all of the animals were visible. The habitats are wonderful, and the animals are well cared for. Loved the bird show. Honestly, loved everything. We went on a Wednesday & it wasnt too busy. For what you get, the price of admission isnt too bad.
Festival of lights is always a fantastic experience. Million of professionally set up lights throughout the entire park. It is a magical winter wonderland. There are characters to interact with along your walk which is great for children. Hot chocolate, funnel cakes, beer, and more available.
Me and My Husband had an Amazing Day at the Zoo. Its very Beautiful there and We Loved seeing all the Animals. Very Nice and Clean and We will definitely be going back again.
I wish I could give this Zoo a better rating but there were a few issues…the 1st being the zoo entrance isn’t clearly marked unless you’ve been here before and know where to go…second issue was the parking situation is ridiculous! From the parking lot to the entrance of the Zoo is a slightly long walk…the next issue was while they have big map “statues” here and there throughout the zoo the have a paper map you have to pay $1…not sure what the purpose of that is but nonetheless the less we paid it because this was our first time…so pro tip save your map for your next trip or explore without one I guess! While there are a good variety of animals and we had some awesome views during our trip this Zoo’s layout is super cluttered and confusing! Even using our map we got lost multiple times and had to ask for directions! We were so excited we did get to Fiona the Hippo, she was very very active and super cute! All in all we’d probably go back some day!
This is one of the famous zoo in Cincinnati. Compared to other zoos I have visited this one is little small but they have all the things to see and enjoy. This zoo is center of city and they have multiple parking lots. I have visited the zoo mainly during holidays to see the holiday lights. They have done beautiful decoration of light throughout the zoo. When it’s dusk you will see all trees and walkways with lights, feels like in dreamland. During the lights season also zoo will be open 10 am to 9 PM so you can see all the animals during the day no lights in the evening. If you are planning to see the lights don’t miss the train ride in the night it’s wonderful as train passes through the zoo. Train will be very rush, big queue so plan accordingly. It’s must if you are visiting for holiday lights. 💡💡
A great zoo! Its about a 5 or 6 hour journey to see everything at a leisurely pace. Lots of hills so wear your most comfortable shoes and only bring what you NEED.
Very nice zoo! It was early in the season so some animals werent on display yet. Several enclosures were under construction. Understandable if you want to keep updated. Would go back!
This is the best zoo I have ever been to. Very clean and organized well! A sure must see!!! Love this place. Spent 4 hours and saw 95% of it. Very good price for experience.
Oh what a wonderful zoo. We have been waiting so long to make this trip. Definitely worth our travels. So nice. Clean and happy!! Stayed for the Christmas lights and they were amazing!!! A definite must see!!
Wonderful zoo. The carousel closes early and we had no way to know until we got there. We were very disappointed by that. Otherwise a great zoo.Do note that if you go during the early spring, they are still wintering many animals and LOTS of exhibits are closed. In the summer with all their animals, and if the carousel ran all day it would be an easy 5 stars.
The staff was very helpful when it came to accommodating my daughters needs and the wheelchair. The grounds was very clean and kept tidy. There was a nice lady who showed us how to get to the sloth exhibit and gave us a little background about moe the 2 toed sloth. We especially enjoyed feeding the giraffes and watching the sloth in action.
This zoo is so fun! There is so much to see and do. Plenty of interactive activities like the Kanga Climb, Carousel, Train and petting zoo. There is the giraffe feeding deck and a manatee exhibit. The family pass is so cheap and provides 13 months worth of family fun!
5/14/22Beautiful day for the zoo. Many exhibits had no animals and my group was disappointed. We ended up leaving earlier than we planned for that reasoning. There is a new kangaroo exhibit.
Cincinnati zoo is fantastic. Large zoo, lots of animals (even when some were off exhibit due to temps) very clean. Bummed that the smashed penny souvenir machines were all taped off this last visit since that’s my go to souvenir but overall a great zoo visit!
Visited Ohio for spring break with the kids. We enjoy visiting zoos, and our hometown zoo, the Indianapolis zoo is awesome! This zoo kept popping up as a top attraction, and it was terrible. There was no clear entrance indicating enter here, for zoo/to park, etc. We walked aimlessly between “exhibits”, before another animal was even sited! They have no animals, and don’t provide maps! There is no botanical garden, I didn’t see one “exotic plant” or display of plants! Booths for food, drinks, etc., were far and few! You don’t finally get to a map until walking damn near to the end of the empty zoo! They have a few posted on poles, which gathered large crowds because everyone is lost! The animals & exhibits on the map were nowhere to be found. No backdrops/ props for family photos. No clear signs guiding you back to the entrance to leave! This was a $70 waste of money. Me and my children had a horrible time at this so called zoo and where the hell was the botanical garden?!?This zoo has nothing on the Indianapolis zoo!!!!
Came here to meet Fiona for the first time! So cute, all the animals look so happy! Its also decorated so cute. All the lights are up now so it really is a magical little experience. I went as a date and we had a really good time. This is also a zoo that is a good example of a decent zoo walk. The trails are easy to follow and theres not a ton of uphill. Gorgeous. The food is good and there are kids meals & it really is an experience you have to have. 💖
It was crowded, but most everything went very smoothly and it made for a very fun trip! I was so excited to meet Fiona! Buy your tickets in advanced and you can pretty much walk right in.
THE BEST Zoo Ive been to in my entire life!! Beautiful grounds. This is the first time I visited a zoo and saw every single animal that I wanted to see. Gorillas and the amazing red pandas were some of the highlights that made this experience so amazing. They have an area where you can walk through and kangaroos hop right next to you as you navigate through the path. A true Safari like experience! This experience was so good that we stayed from open till close even visiting the gorillas multiple times!!
Went to the Cincinnati zoo this past Friday. I found the place not Properly maintained to be open, the Temperature kept us from seeing really any of the animals, without looking through glass. Wasnt very clean. Staff was friendly and basic knowledge of the animals. Over all the experience was okay we just went at the wrong time of the year.
The Cincinnati zoo experience is top notch! The animals seem at home, the experts talking you through exhibits are kind and knowledgable, and the layout makes it so easy to lose yourself in discovering all there is for 6-7 hours without even realizing the time has passed.
Not bad. Packed a lot into the middle of the city. Nice shaded areas to walk through while there. Pretty expensive. If youre going to visit more than once a year, get the annual pass for sure.
We went for the holidays lights, drove 4 hours. It was beautiful and they had a lot to offer. I just wish there were more cool looking setups rather than just lights in the trees. Its also a nightmare during the weekends between parking and the jam packed zoo so definitely try going during the week.
We have passes and go as often as we can! Our Grandchildren gets in on our pass plus we can take four adults! The Kangaroos are so neat to watch! Fiona is a big hit with the Grandchildren! We love all the animals!
We went to Columbus last year and had to check this zoo out too. It wasnt as big which was nice and weather was perfect. The staff was super helpful and informative just wish we would of downloaded or grabbed a map earlier.
Ive been to this zoo quite a few times since I was a child. I absolutely love it even compared to other Zoos around the country. Extremely easy to navigate. Seems like there is always a project going on around the park to improve the experience. They have recently added a clip-n-climb to add to the experience. The train will take you around the park to give you a good ideal of how massive the park is. There is also a Merry-Go-Round the kids seem to enjoy. Plenty of pit stops for food, drinks and snacks. The animals areas are all close together so there isnt any wasted time trying to figure out where to go next. Ample of parking ensures that you wont spend half the day tying to find a way to get in. This is definitely a must see for any Cincinnati native or anyone visiting the area.
This place was absolutely beautiful, it was a very good night, the weather was perfect to walk through the zoo and admire all the beautiful lights and listen to all the Christmas songs being played,while enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate. The crow was very light but seem to get more crowed in the later hours. The staff did a great job putting up all of the light. Definitely a great place to see.
Went beginning of the week about 330 and the amount of traffic inside the zoo and parking lot was refreshing. No wait in line to grab our hard copy zoo passes. The only thing that I dont like is how there is never anyone at the dip n dots carts. Prices are still wild even with gold pass discount. And they shut off one elevator an hour before closing, so the line was ridiculously long for people who had children with strollers, wagons or carts.
Very clean quite busy on memorial Day, But everywhere was moving smoothly and nowhere was overly packed. All the animals seem super awesome and healthy. Great place to bring kids.
The zoo was nice. It was fun and most of the animals were out. There are many animals from many different places. There are plenty of programs going on to help save animals.
First time visiting. Good selection of animals. Reptile house is fairly small but otherwise enjoyed our visit. Will be back to try some animal experiences
Stacey K. Was amazing. She saw we were looking to get towards the Zebras and did not know the route. So she guided is all the way across the park to find them. Amazing effort and very kind. Provided great information about the zoo, the animals and the plant life (she is a horticulturist). Made our visit memorable and fun. Zebras were hiding but the flamingos made my other daughter happy.
This is a beautiful place. Excellent exhibits, well kept. We had so much fun. Its highly recommend.
This is a very nice zoo. Loved it. Would love to visit again with a little more time and during warmer weather...maybe spring time. A few of the animals were off habitat because of colder weather.
Overall its a nice zoo, but some of the exhibits are placing too much stress on the animals and need to be rebuilt.If its your first time, this is a great place to bring the kids for learning and enjoyment.Parking isnt too bad and the bathrooms are clean. The place can get crowded occassionally, but still a great place to visit.
Wouldnt recommend purchasing the rides and attractions tickets. The Carousel wasnt working and the train shut down after the rain and never opened back up after it cleared up. Also all the food vendors shut down while and after the rain and the very few that were open couldnt accept anything but cash. But besides that it was very fun and beautiful place.
Came to Cincy to visit the zoo, and was not disappointed. Loved walking with the roos and feed the giraffes. My son and nephew loved the train ride, we really enjoyed ourselves.
Our favorite zoo. The train is fun and inexpensive, the enclosures for all animals makes you feel so close to them. There is so much cool landscaping and paths. The cheetah encounter is amazing. They have gorillas, hippos and manatees, things I rarely see at other zoos. Amazing zoo!
One of the best zoos Ive ever been to. The festival of lights gets better and better every year. You can tell they truly care for the animals and I love that you can get a decent meal there too.
Went here recently for zoo blooms and the tulips did not disappoint! Enjoyed seeing the animals as well and will be back later as there was just too much to see.
Spent the whole day at the Zoo for HallZooWeen. It was busy but our group had a great time. Got to watch the elephants smash pumpkins. Most of the animals were very active. Wonderful experience! Lots of animals to see and enjoy. Cheetah Encounter, Hippo & Elephants were my favorites.
I absolutely love the Cincinnati Zoo! Heres some of my favorite puctures Ive taken at the zoo. If you want to see Fiona active, come after 1pm.
Great big zoo with tons of animals. Definitely a fun place to go in family and enjoy the day together. Food is decent a bit expensive but that’s expected. The petting zoo was our favorite part.
Beautiful Zoo with a variety of beautiful animals!! The tulips were at their peak!! We had a great day with wonderful weather!
We had a lot of fun with our son. We took the short train ride. Cramped, but we had a nice time on it. Quite a few different animals to view. The kangaroo walk was very cool. However, the zoo, even though really nice, needs a lot more signage. Not near enough to show where things are located.
My son finally came off oxygen and to celebrate we went to the zoo...of course it had to rain but honestly it didnt ruin a single thing bc my lil man enjoyed every second of it!!!
A beautiful zoo full of wonderful surprises around every corner.We found the animals in good shape, never saw a spec of trash anywhere on the grounds, met helpful zoo volunteers, and were really impressed with the parking, since it was under cover, and made of solar panels.I highly recommend buying your tickets on line to make sure you can get in the day you want.Also, tickets are cheeper any other day than the weekends, shoot for Wednesday.They do have rentals for strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters, but once again, try to reserve on line when getting your tickets, there are a limited supply.Parking is $10.00, and we paid on the way out for this.If you plan zoo store shopping, do it on your way out. The zoo is trying not to use paper or plastics, so no bags to haul your items around in.The zoo is big enough that you should really plan on a full day to see everything. Right now the hours are only 10 to 5, so you dont have a lot of time to dally around.We came from out of state, and I wore at by 3 pm. So we missed some of the animals. But I plan on going back at some point, its that nice of a place.There will be some expansion work going on untill 2025, but they hope to be done by then.
This is a great zoo- unexpectedly so.Wasn’t aware it was where the Harambe incident took place.Zoo was clean but went right in the morning and there weren’t a lot of animals out.But, lots of animals in this zoo- known for this Hippo exhibit.The giraffe exhibit was the BEST- you could feed them but even without paying to do that, you got to see them really up close.Overall, great experience, just wish the animals were more active.
Had a wonderful time but a bad experience with the parking. When we arrived to park was told I need to find a spot somewhere else down the road and we did but it was 2 miles later. So when we go close from our walk they were letting so many cars in to park. So I think they need to communicate a little better on parking spots.
First thing this zoo is extremely hilly. Warning to anyone with mobility issues. A regular wheel chair will have a very hard time getting around here. Im glad I rented mine on line before we got here otherwise its first come first serve.The exhibits are very cool you tend to get great views of the animals. This is if people will let you get up there. The wife and I neither one can walk right now. We where in electric scooters because of that and people where very rude and several times had to send my 4 boys up to see the animals sense we couldnt get anywhere near them.The zoo itself and the zoo staff we dealt with where all fantastic. The problem was other guests. Other guest where cutting off and cutting in front of people with strollers and in chairs. Seen several others with strollers getting mad as well because those who could walk or didnt have strollers were being rude, cutting us all off and giving everyone dirty looks if they where not walking with just then and their kids.I highly recommend checking this zoo out. Again everyone and everything associated with the zoo was great. The problem was other people.We walked in the gate a few minutes past 10. Buy a little after 1 we had seen almost everything we could. The only complaint we had involving the zoo itself some of the areas could be marked better. The pour signage in areas we did miss a few things. The reptile house is very small and again having anything with wheels littlePeople gave you nasty looks for being in their with them.
Spent the morning at the zoo with my daughter. We have the family pass and can enter the zoo at 9am which is a nice perk. We were able to see a lot of activity today. We missed Fiona, but most everything else was out. A good day!
Unfortunately we came on a day where no animals were out. No hippie, no polar bear, no turtles, no kangaroos, reptiles house was closed, etc. No food restaurants or trucks were open either. We drove 6hrs just for this zoo and were let down. We get that it was cold ,but they should still have a place inside to view them .
This a wonderful zoo to visit. Make sure before you go you know where parking is, its not clearly marked from the street and if you use a directions app it will only take you to the intersection of the zoo entrance.
Had a good time with the family. The lights were amazing. Wouldve loved seeing more animals but understand the weather is rough on some of the animals.
It rained after being there for a couple of hours but it wasnt too crowded and didnt have to wait long for refreshments or a good view of the exhibits. Will return, hopefully for longer next time!
This review is mainly focused on coming during December for the lights.Went about 3pm to see some of the animals before it got dark and then stayed for the lights. Very pretty zoo especially when the lights were on. Very impressed with all the different tunnels.Not a lot of animals out even during the day and it goes without saying none at night. A lot of exhibits closed and a lot of animals not present due to cold weather. If you are coming to the zoo after September I would suggest just coming during December for the lights. This review is really based on this time period.
Came in for a trip w/ a large group of kids and it was a blast! Had a fantastic time, kids really enjoyed it, will definitely going again!
So fun! Its like you are walking through a forest, which changes region depending on which exhibits are near by. This also means that many paths were covered and shaded due to the trees and plants! While many animals were in their huts due to the heat we still saw many awesome animals! Fiona and her mother were definitely a highlight! We did not eat here, Im sure prices for food and such are high, as typical. Overall, a great experience and educational if you take the moments to learn! Definitely recommend!
What an amazing zoo! Theres a large variety of different animals and attractions to delight both adults and children. Lots of places to eat an even thoughtful resting spots have been added throughout the park to allow visitors to take a break where needed. This zoo is very expansive and the exhibits are beautiful and very well-thought-out for the animals there. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend a visit here!
Gorgeous gardens, the animals were active and out, all the keepers and staff were super friendly. Best zoo out there!
We love visiting the Zoo! We had a great time although it was a little crowded on the day we went. Definitely a good place to take your kids, recommend Louisville Zoo as well!
One of the best Zoos I have been to. The Hippo and Monkey / Ape exhibits were just amazing and was cool to be so close
Ive been to plenty of zoos and this is my favorite. Great variety of animals well spaced out. The animals seem well cared for. Plenty of space to move around, never seemed crowded even though the parking lot was full.
Here is another place that you can go for a fair price and have hours of fun and entertainment. Feed the giraffes or walk with the kangaroos. This place is so awesome and interactive. Kids will love it. I dont know a better zoo.
Finally got to see Fiona ! We got here about 230pm and was not crowded but when we left it was crowded! Festival of lights were up. So cool to see all the lights. Alot of the animals were not available to see. Everything else seemed to be up and running. Will go back next year. Get there early thou. Parking can be a premium.
I wanted to say first off, there needs to be a better parking system. All the lots were full and it took over 40 minutes to find a parking spot.Other than that, the zoo was pretty enjoyable with a wide variety of animals. My only suggestion is to plan to spend a couple of hours here as it is a very confusing map layout of everything, and will take some time to go through all the exhibits. Also come early so that you can easily get a parking spot.
The zoo is beautiful! The animals we saw seemed happy, running and playing around their enclosures! I came from Virginia just to meet the hippo bloat and they did not disappoint.
Very large zoo, lot of side trails & loops. Great variety of animals, enjoyed seeing some not normally seen at zoos. Manatee Springs & Night Hunters were really interesting as was cat canyon. We missed seeing polar bears, a few exhibits the animals were not on exhibit.
This was an amazing zoo! We only had to wait in line once (Roo Valley). Lots of different animals, and the zoo has tons of beautifully planted tulips along the way, as well as lots of “treat stations” for kids. There was also a plaza with some restraunts where you can eat outside, and the animals were AMAZING and seemed to be well taken care of. One of the best zoos I’ve ever been to!
Cincinnati Zoo is amazing. The grounds are well-kept and the animal enclosures seem much better than other zoos Ive been to.
We had a great time at the Zoo; we spend almost all day there since is so much to do and see. The botanical gardens are spread out through the zoo, and we love that. If you are like me, and the main reason you want to visit the zoo is to see Fiona up close, I recommend that you go in the afternoon to see her swimming and playing around. But if you like to see the kangaroos, the zookeeper mentioned that they are more active in the morning, they have food courts through the zoo and bathrooms, so there is always a place to eat no matter where you are. We bought the tickets online, and it was straightforward; inside the zoo, we pay to feed the giraffe, which is $4 for two pieces of lettuce, you have to line up pay, wash your hands, and they hang you a bit of lettuce at the time (right now you have to wear a face mask for the feeding) that was a very fantastic experience. The zoo was very clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful. There is a lot of things to do and see. The animals look well-taking care of. My only concern was some animals, like the fox, look to be a bit stressed walking back and forth; it seems like he was in a small space for him. But overall, this zoo is one of my favorites. We had a great experience and definitely will go back went is Cincinnati! Also, the parking was easy to get in and out, and it was free.
Highly recommend the Cincinnati Zoo! Our favorite activities were the Cheetah Run, Barnyard Bonanza, and Goat Petting Zoo. We went in the morning so animals were quite active. Get your tickets online to avoid waiting in line. I would not recommend the train ride if you do not have children.
I havent been to the zoo for years. Didnt know that they now have kangaroos. Had my two great nieces with me and my sister. Other than being hot had a great time.
Great place, one might feel a sense of compassion for the animals in captivity. However, the staff is very responsible and they take very good care of the animals and the visitors. It was a great experience to see the animals so closely and appreciate the diversity of the nature. I highly recommend visiting this place. They have a very friendly environment.
This truly is an amazing and fantastic place. All the staff members work so hard to give you all on enjoyable experience. The animals are very well cared for and they look very happy and healthy in their enclosures.Im not entirely sure if the whole zoo is 100% open but I would say we saw about 80% of it. Im sure things will change date today week after week as covid cases slowly diminish.. and hopefully they stay that way. But for now we all have to do our part to keep this beautiful Zoo and its inhabitants clear and safe from this horrible virus.As visitor from Canada I was extremely pleased with my visit at the Cincinnati Zoo. My daughter was so excited to see Fiona after having all of her books. And of course she walked away with her new prize position a stuffed Fiona shall I say teddy bear ? Hippo ? ok stuffed hippo .We were thrilled to have the opportunity to also feed the giraffes.Congratulations to the people of Cincinnati for having the best zoo in America... Its official !!We were also able to park on the street for free around the back side of the zoo.. Im not sure about parking laws in the area but we were fine for the few hours that we were there. But there was lots of parking available of course in the parking lot owned by the zoo.I give this Zoo a complete and well deserved five stars.
Ground is ALL hills, this makes this zoo a poor experience for those pushing guests in wheelchairs. Animals are very spread apart and not monitored properly. In the nocturnal exhibit guests were shining phone flashlights in exhibits blinding the poor animals and with no zoo team member around whose to stop them. Flamingo exhibit smelled so horrible guests were gagging, NOT kept properly! Dining at main restaurant in zoo was terrible, expensive food, wrong items, cold items, confused staff not knowing items on their menu. Will not go back, Toledo zoo is a million times better. Cheaper, closer exhibits, better staff, friendlier staff. Do not recommend this zoo.
This zoo was average in my opinion. The animals looked well maintained but I feel the layout is very back and forth compared to other zoos that connect almost all areas and exhibits in a loop. Lots of people but understandable for the weekend. Many animals were sleeping, so I suggest going later in the day and they may be more active.
I always love seeing the animals, and getting the kids out. I will be back during the summer so we can see all the animals this time.
Take your kids... Ive been to a lot of zoos in my life, and of course they are almost all kid friendly. The difference here is that this zoo really focuses on the kids. This is really a learning zoo. There are staff at almost every habitat, engaging with children, teaching them about the different animals, and in some cases, providing hands-on experiences. This a great place to get involved.
Thank you for opening the park during Veterans Day 2021! Really enjoyed everything about the Zoo! I look forward to coming back to see the lights during Christmas and coming to see a special shows sometime. Very beautiful and friendly atmoshere! Very large as well, I probably missed a few exhibits. Dont miss Fiona, the famous hippo.
What a lovely zoo. There is a lot of love and attention in the animal exhibits and it shows! The place is clean, the staff was friendly, and the food was good. If you go, make sure you check out the lion exhibit. The male has a lot of personality
The Asthetics of this Zoo were amazing. Enclosures were great. Dont show up till opening because they will not let you in, even at 0957 and admission starts at 10... Manatee were awesome. Most of the Zoo Is shaded and has lots of seating areas. The Insect area was a highlight of the trip. This Zoo has made my top 3 in the country!
The breakfast with the hippos and African penguins was fabulous. The staff was very knowledgeable. The breakfast was delicious. The reason for one star is the number 1 zoo in the USA was not willing to try to provide a ASL interpreter for the breakfast with the animals. They never responded back to our request. Smaller venues and zoos that we visited during our vacation in Cincinnati this year were willing to accommodate our request. The fact that no one ever responded or made an effort is shameful. This breakfast is expensive and they should have tried to get one. Music Hall went out of their way to accommodate us for a $15 tour.
Theyve changed a lot, added new exhibits and are renovating some of the older habitats. We did miss getting to see the bears, and wouldve liked to see a memorial for the polar bear Ive seen every time Ive been there since I was a kid. My family loves the zoo, we go at least once a year and have been going there for nearly 40 years. Keep up the amazing work.
Great zoo not a lot of birds because of the bird flu ... But the insect building is FANTASTIC lots of different insects that you can see and it also has a butterfly room attached to it that had 150+ butterflies in it
The Cincy zoo is a great place. For the most part all of the animals were available and they have several of the same animal. Most zoos you only see one type of animal in each section. It’s also clean and a ton of places to eat.
An amazing and unique zoo to visit. Quite a few exhibits here are beautiful and let you see and interact with the animals in new ways. Check out the train, Gibbon Islands, and of course Fiona!
Theres a lot to see here! Several exhibits I havent seen at other zoos, and we definitely got a good walking workout visiting all of the animals. It was a hot day, so the covered parking was appreciated as well. I like that the maps are all digital, but more landmarks or navigation points to match to the map would be helpful; the multiple paths in some areas made things confusing, and entrances to some exhibits werent clear on the map.
OMG we were super excited 😆 to visit the zoo. The lights are beautiful at night even though we didnt see no animals it was nice to see the Christmas lights. Thank you
Festival of Lights was amazing this year as always! Prices in the gift shop are outrageous. Higher than ever... Same with concession. Be ready to shell out $7+ for a cup of funnel cake fries! (Which were epically good btw). Employees are mostly masked. Not many masks on guests at all... 😷
I love this zoo. Its so big and has so many animals. My only complaint is the lay out. Its easy to miss areas.
Such a great zoo! They have a lot of programs and very cool activities. Lots to see inside and out!!
The zoo was beautiful.... the gardens and green areas were meticulously kept and the zoo overall was immaculate. We got to see so many animals! Staff were stationed at many exhibits and houses to point out hiding animals and answer questions. Everyone was very knowledgeable and amiable. The enclosures and buildings are situated so that everything is close by, yet not crowded. Trees and bamboo line many walkways, providing welcomed shade and the feeling that youve left the city to venture through a forest.This zoo is definitely worth a visit if youre in the Cincinnati area.
Great Zoo. Everything is very clean and well organized. You can bring in your own food a drinks which is a great way to save some money.There is a wide variety of animals and food. Plenty to see and do.I would say to see the entire zoo and not rush expect to take about 4 hours. Its a great way to spend the day with the kiddos I highly reccomend.
The animals seemed happy, sometimes the plants and scenery where so beautiful I didnt even think I was in the zoo anymore. People were friendly, service was great, best zoo Ive been to hands down, and great beautiful building and habitats made it feel like your right next to animals. can even go in with kangaroos if you stay on path and dont touch. Had blue penguins and animals I have never seen or heard of. WOW. And I can walk there!
The zoo was wonderful. A lot of construction going on and parking took about 30 minutes, so make sure to add that to your time. Suggestion park in the Dury Parking that will save time.Can’t wait to go back and see how it’s been updated.The insect exhibit was fabulous!
The staff we encountered throughout our journey in the zoo, were very friendly, and knowledgeable about the animals! The outside animal enclosures were spacious, and the animals seemed to be comfortable with their surroundings. ALL the animals we saw looked healthy and well cared for!The walking paths were a pleasure to travel, wide paved pathways, with etchings in them pertaining to the area of zoo you were visiting. They were shaded by bamboo and trees, so much of our walk was out of direct sunlight!!Great Zoo Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My family and I attended the zoo yesterday, it was so fun. I definitely recommend bringing your own food and drink if you want to save some money. 😊 The animals were fantastic, my kids loved the kangaroo walk and barnyard interactive activities, and the carousel. I felt safe with Covid precautions, and overall, just a beautiful zoo and a wonderful day.
Nice. Some of the animals not present yet due to fluctuating temperatures. The Cafe had a gluten free bun.
Had a great time! So many great animals to see. The live shows they do are also great.
Beautiful zoo! They are always improving exhibits and adding new features. The festival of lights is always fun, so many beautiful lights! You cant beat the price on a family membership and the memories you will create are priceless. Dont forget to take plenty of pics!
Our family had so much fun walking all the hills. Seeing amzing animals thank you Cincinnati zoo!!
Love the zoo! Took a group of students and everyone had a wonderful time! I got to try skyline chilli!
We like this zoo very much. It is a nice layout and the spring flowers were beautiful during this trip. It was a bit cool so a few of the animals were too smart to be out and there is major remodeling going on which has a few off display for the season. Things to take in consideration, the walkways are wide and easy to navigate but there are many inclines and declines along the way. There are plenty of benches to rest if need be but wear good footwear. You can bring snacks and drinks for the little ones to keep costs down and the selections for sale are quite plentiful including many beer selections for the grown ups.
We visited the Cincinnati Zoo for the Festival of Lights. Parking is not very convenient. It was a hike up hill and around a corner to get to the entrance of the zoo. We paid extra for the adventure ride pass which in reality was only the train and I feel like that was a little deceptive on their website. It was around 8pm so the only animals we encountered were the giraffes before everyone else was asleep for the evening. Overall - the lights were festive and pretty to look at. The zoo was clean and vendors offering refreshments were very nice and helpful. I think the lights experience was just eh but Id be willing to venture the actual zoo exhibits another time.
What a beautiful zoo!! The gardens allow lots of shade when walking. The indoor exhibits (insects, night hunters etc) were all informative. We felt very close to the animals. And of course there was Fiona!
It was a hot day and most of the animals were in hiding or sleeping. I finally got to see Fiona, however Harambe is no longer at the Cincinnati zoo it seems. According to Wikipedia they put him down from the incident with the 3-year old boy. Not sure how true that is or if hes at another zoo. Over all its was a great experience as it was my first time visiting. Thinking about going back for the festival of lights. Masks are required if youd like to interact with the animals. I also think we walked the entire zoo in 4 hours lol. I definitely recommend, fun for everyone!
We had an amazing time here at the Cincinnati Zoo! Its much better than the Louisville Zoo in my opinion. This zoo is really well maintained and the trails are forested so it feels like youre walking through a jungle the whole time youre exploring!The staff all seemed friendly and happy and the exhibits were awesome!
My family decided to make a trip to the zoo after my daughters travel softball games were cancelled due to the rain! We were not disappointed. We are from Indy so we have always had a great zoo but this zoo is amazing & beautiful! We were there for the Zoobilation & trick or treating! The animals had fun Halloween decorations & were getting ready for the Tree Lighting! The magic show was so fun. I’ve never seen such amazing habitats & these animals are truly cared for. I can say the one star I left off was for a few reasons. 1. there were very few if any signs to get to the Parking lot. 2. Very few food options were open even with it being end of their season, we paid a lot to get in it would have been nice to have the food options actually available. 3. The nocturnal habitats seemed extremely small & sad for some. The cats especially I was disheartened to see the little areas they had. I’m sure they are fine I just thought it seemed sad. Otherwise it was by far the best zoo trip! Make sure you save at least 4 hours to get through everything! 🦓🐆🦏🐘🦒🐅🐊
Great clean, eco conscience zoo. Accessible but built in the middle of the city, being one of the oldest zoos. So very hilly. Staff is fantastic about assisting if there is any need. Very sensory aware and prepared. Staff is well educated on the animals and ready to help you learn too.
We had a wonderful time! The was zoo beautiful and big! Make sure you have great walking shoes and lots of water.
This place was rad! Tried to go on a Saturday and that definitely wasnt happening. Came back on a Sunday morning like half an hour before opening and we got in just fine. Exhibits are really cool, lots of different animals, and the place was clean and well maintained. The giraffe exhibit was especially good! Youre on an elevated area which allows you to get right up by the giraffes. Very cool.
The Cincinnati Zoo did not live up to all the hype. I never saw a water fountain. The map was not to scale. Many refreshment stands were closed or missing products. Could not find the lion exhibit. After giving up and getting lost I finally found them. I wanted to see the zoo by riding the train but they only had one cart working and there was a line of about an hour or so wait. The elephant exhibit seemed pretty small for them. Some exhibits were poorly maintained. The animals seemed depressed and the environment felt awkward. We felt really sad for the animals. These comments I am placing is because I have visited the San Diego Zoo, Memphis Zoo, Brookfield Zoo and the Milwaukee County Zoo and I have never felt that way before.
The best Zoo around! The Botanical Garden is beautiful as well, so many flowers and plants. During this time, there are enclosures without animals, some due to construction, and others to prevent the spread of avian flu that is going around. There was a sufficient amount of signage to notify guests of these changes. We love this Zoo, you wont regret coming here.
This is the first time post pandemic I have taken the family here. They are open from 10 to 5 daily. Many nice new additions. Went straight to new Kangaroo area. They have an adventure climb which cost under $20 to do. If you rather keep your feet grounded, go past it and line up to enter the Kangaroo exhibit. They jump around you. Just dont touch. Follow path to door to the Little Blue Penguins and 3 different types of water fowls(ducks). Went to Gorilla World next. Got to see the new gorilla acclimation area. Very nice. Enjoyed seeing many varieties of flowers in bloom. One of my favorites to do through the year. It is worth buying a pass/family pass which I do about every year. It is well worth the money. Soooo...come out to the zoo, zoo, zoo. Cincinnati Zoo, zoo, zoo... 😁
What a beautiful zoo. Hadnt been in here years. This place is such a beautiful place to walk around. The landscaping was really lovely. The animals had really nice spaces. The staff were friendly and helpful. And Fiona was even more majestic in person. Cant wait to come again.
Greatest zoo Ive ever been to bar none. I drove 8 hours to see it and would do it again tomorrow.
Beautiful Christmas lights! This was the first time Ive ever been to the Festival of Lights at the zoo. It was obvious someone (or ones lol) spent tons of time planning and implementing the displays. Santa even made an appearance. My family arrived at about 5pm on a Saturday and there wasnt much of a crowd. But when the sun set, it got crowded! Well worth the visit!
Great family attraction. Ropes course is awesome! The gardens are maintained beautifully and the variety of animals is incredible. Be prepared for expensive meals. The souvenir cups with discounted refills is a great investment, especially on hot summer days. Feeding the giraffe is always a cool experience. Masks were required for anyone over 6 to participate in this animal encounter.
Great zoo! Probably the best zoo I have ever been too. The layout was good. We saw almost every animal they have (only missed two). We started as soon as they opened and finished at about 4pm. I recommend getting there early especially if you wan to make it to the first cheetah encounter. It was a tight squeeze trying to get tickets and make to the cheetah area with the early morning ticket lines and so many people at the front. The day was hot but there was plenty of shade and benches for rest for those who need it.Great experience! Highly recommended for all ages!
Nicely sized, able to navigate easily. Some exhibits/enclosures closed but okay. Finally got to see Fiona! ❤
Spectacular day, amazing animals worth it. Closed too early o. That day though. However it was good. Some exibits were closed.
I got my tickets when I arrived. I said two adults and one child. After walking away from the window and heading towards the turnstiles, I discovered they had charged me for 3 adults and one child. The animals were a pleasant experience. After our visit, I stopped by to get my money refunded. It still has not been returned to my card as there are no pending transactions, I suspect it wont be. As a Cincinnati resident, I have to say Im highly disappointed.
Beautiful. A lot of walking. Just remember. The only thing flat in Cinci is the river. 🤣🤣
Most of the zoo is outside but they do have really cool indoor exhibits with a variety of animal species. It was pricey but definitely worth the money. However, when we were there most of the little cafes were closed. If you go when it isnt busy, plan for 2-3 hours (longer if you have little ones). If you go when its busy, I would plan to go for 4-5 hours. Overall a great experience and I would go again.
We try to visit zoos when we travel and knew I always wanted to visit Cincinnati Zoo due to its history. I was very worried about the visit after reading reviews and people mentioning the hills people face while walking through the zoo but it was a nonevent since I took the advice of someones review and turned right after entering the zoo. The zoo is very well done and animals are easy to see in most habitats. The food and drink prices are typical for a zoo but I rank this in my top 3 zoos Ive visited. If youre in the area do visit the zoo, youll enjoy the animals and shaded paths.
Love me some Cincinnati zoo! Beautiful gardens, lovely animals who make you giggle and say aweee more in a day than you do in an average month. Tons of informational plaques throughout, which my children and I enjoy stopping and absorbing all we can. Easily can spend a full day here if you leisurely enjoy or half day if you push through.
It was a great activity for my 9 year old and I. We really enjoyed our trip😊
It was great other than being too hot outside. They had some new things since I was last there over 15 years ago. Lot of interactive activities for kids, and some adults. Lol. I had a good time there. Was $55 for 3 cheeseburgers and 3 drinks at the Wild Burger place where the food trucks are. Plan ahead or eat before you get there. With saying that I should add that the burgers were awesomely delicious! Guess it was too hot for the animals though since most of them were in the shade chillin or sleeping. I dont blame them at all!Id only make one suggestion, and that would be to add a designated smoking areas. Right now there is no smoking in the entire park. I was told that I had to walk back down to the street to smoke. I left early because I needed a cigarette and for the money you pay to get in and park they should think of the smokers as well.
A wide variety of animals and alot of the Zoo is covered so you get good shade in the summer months.
Beautiful zoo and very clean. We really enjoyed seeing so many animals active and visible. The keys were a disappointment though, only about 25% of the boxes worked. We cant wait to come back and hopefully see the sloth!
Amazing zoo! Fantastic habitat for their animals! They offer so many wonderful opportunities to learn and enjoy. The only negative side we saw: not enough parking. All lots filled within an hour. We had to park nearly a mile away on a steep hill in a sketchy neighborhood!
Most of the exhibits were closed and the ticket was expensive compared to a much bigger and better zoo back in d.c
While I fully support the zoos mission, I miss some of the old features. At one point you were encouraged to bring picnics and there were plenty of areas for it. Now, you can rest assured if youre bringing a family and eat there you will pay a small fortune. Souvenirs are also pricey...$25 for a water bottle. If you plan to visit routinely a membership would be most cost effective.
Awesome zoo! Come at open and stay until close! Bring your best walking shoes!
We had a great time. The wait for food was crazy long, but we survived. Lol. The African Savannah was the best part. We did not get to see everything at the zoo that day. Fionas appearance was also pure joy!
Been before and it was awesome!!! This time I went to the zoo lights. It was a great time for the kids and the lights were better than the Columbus Zoo imo.
We had a great time. 5 stars even though not all the animals were out and about. We had to double back to see certain animals. However, I dont think that is the fault of the staff, the animals have free range to move about as they please. All of the monkeys were super active the day we were (not sure if thats normal but was enjoyable for the most part). Eating in L Rosas was surprisingly cheap and good. We got a whole pizza for 21 bucks and was actually good. The bathrooms were in clean and in hood shape. The staff is full of young adults but they were still very knowledgeable about the areas they worked. Overall, this trip was a success.Im a plant person so the botanical gardens around the zoo was great to see also.
A lot of content and happy animals in a well maintained Zoo. Plenty of shady areas to walk on the hot days. Busy place but very nice. We enjoyed our visit to the Cincinnati Zoo.
The Cincinnati Zoo is a great family experience. Informative and entertaining for kids of all ages. Exhibits allow for the animals to be viewed at a comfortable distance while still being able to see them. Food and drink prices are higher but not amusement park prices. The exhibits and botanical park displays are both informative and pleasing to the eye. Overall, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a great place to take a family.
Highs: Exhibits, Flowers, Cleanliness and… Food?!?Lows: Parking, Crowds, Walking, Bird House Smell! LolFor the highs, the exhibits were all well kept, animals healthy and happy (at least they looked that way), flowers and botanicals throughout are very well kept (note there is not an official “botanical garden” I saw, it’s just throughout). Probably the biggest surprise was I expected the typical ripoff food… and it wasn’t bad. In fact the pizza at “the hop” was $9 and plenty big for 2- and actually brick oven cooked. I expected a $20 piece of cardboard with tomato sauce- so that made me happy.For the lows, the parking is $10 and a bit of a hike- but better than most zoos so I really shouldn’t be complaining. In fact it is pretty close with a bridge… so I take it back, ha. There was however a lot of crowds, we went on a nice Friday afternoon. The park itself is very large and a lot of walking- which is great if you’re up for a hike but if you have little kids be prepared. Again, I like walking just letting you know. Now the one complaint I do have is oh my word the bird house smelled absolutely revolting. I know there is only so much they can do- but it was truly overwhelming. I was so glad to have my Covid mask with me and slapped it on just to survive lol. Your experience may vary.
Great and fun experience!! We came from Kentucky to specifically visit the Cincinnati Zoo, we had soo much fun! I would encourage people to visit the zoo to see all of the different variety of animals available to be seen!
This zoo is fantastic! We have a membership and go often. Its on the small side, which makes it a manageable trip and feels like the animals are up close to you - the giraffes, elephants, kangaroos and gorillas are so cool to see, and of course Fiona the hippo. We love it. The zoo lights are great too
An amazing experience for all ages. So many mindblowing features.The grounds are gorgeous and the landscaping is meticulously maintained.Theres an incredible variety of animals, with awesome educational placards at each exhibit. A 5 star zoo experience and to top it off, they are AZA accredited, and participate in the species survival plan. This means they dont just have animals on display for human amusement.Theyre taking active conservation and species preservation efforts. They even have numerous rescued animals who are SO well cared for, in this lush paradise, because they cant be safely rehabilitated and released. Can it get any better?Actually it can... Ive heard they are the greenest zoo in the country. Recyleable aluminum water bottles. An extensive rainwater collection system that supplies their aquatic displays. Solar panels that double as parking structures.This is a must-visit attraction for anyone venturing to Cincinnati.
We absolutely luv to visit this zoo. We have traveled several states taking the kids to as many zoos as possible but this one is definitely our favorite go to
Cincinnati has a lovely 😍 Zoo. I have gone there for 50 + years. Always a thrill. Wonderful exhibitions. It has always presented beautiful botanical gardens throughout. I find it hard to leave. One never knows who they will run into while touring the zoo. Its a place that everyone repeatedly visits. Good Vibes!
Great Zoo. When going on the weekends buy tickets in advance. The line to buy tickets was out over the bridge. We purchased tickets ahead of time there was a side entrance by the overflow parking we walked right in. Great day. Train ride was great just had a long wait late in the afternoon. Might want to try earlier in the day.
Was nice but the zoo is in a very hilly area. You are either going uphill or downhill. If you dont have your own scooter you have to be there when they open up or you wont be able to get one. A number of exhibits were closed due to remodeling. Which is a good thing
Theres a lot that is still closed but still has most animals for viewing. Sad thing was seeing grown people hit the glass to try and wake them up and little kids looking at them cause they know not to do that.
Awesome zoo! The animals are so active🤩 and its a nice size. Food is expensive but you are allowed to bring in your own (they dont check bags)so thats a plus. Also, if tickets are purchased in advance (at least a week)it will save some cash we paid an extra 20 bucks waiting until the day of. We went on a Friday and it was fairly crowded but seemed to clear out after 3p.m. Parking was $10.
Definitely worth going early as was packed by 1pm. Some of the most open exhibits Ive seen. Was well worth going. A great addition to the family vacation.
I loved our visit to the zoo. There were a few exhibits under construction but plenty to see. The landscaping is amazing. The beverage prices need to be thought about again. A canned water was more than a soda at $4.49. Other than that... VERY enjoyable experience.
We absolutely loved the Cincinnati Zoo! The only drawback is it is quite expensive to purchase food and drinks here. I think having some stations to fill up water bottles would be quite nice!
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is an absolute jewel of Ohio. Combining the two destinations is smart and they pull it off well.The zoo is top notch, offering a great collection of animals. Some of the specific areas are small and limited, like the reptile house, but they are still well done and offer fun exhibits that look great.In all the open spaces and nooks and crannies that separate the animal exhibits are the botanical exhibits. They are not particularly exotic or substantial, but are gorgeous and greatly enhance the experience for lovers of both animals and plants. Think of it as less of a botanical garden and more like an exquisitely landscaped zoo.Weve been twice (traveling from St Louis) and will definitely return.
Always a pleasant and memorable visit to the zoo. I love the botanical gardens and of course Fiona. The entire zoo and all the animals are awesome.
It is so hard not to recommend this zoo when someone says anything about going to a zoo the animals were very active and look like they have nice enclosures and you can get very close to them. If you want to see the most animals walking around the most definitely go early and if its rainy or overcast, the only animals thats didnt seem to like the rain were the kangaroos. The only 3 things i didnt like was that the souvenir shop only had short sleeve shirts, the food was a bit expensive, and the grounds was a bit slippery when it rained.
Great zoo, but its really easy to get lost and miss stuff. They dont have maps to give you, so you keep having to look at the ones they have posted around the zoo. We did miss a couple of areas. Their food prices are pretty good too.
Unfortunately this zoo did not live up to the hype. It was incredibly confusing. Nothing was Marked clearly. You could walk right past the exhibit you were looking for. We purchased the key, over 75% of the boxes were broken. Disappointed my little guy who loves to hear the zoo facts. Over half of the food options were still closed, and with us going on a higher priced day we expected more food options. Most of the animals were not available.The one thing this zoo did right was the Insect House. It had tons of different bugs and had great descriptions and was very user friendly.
We had to drive around the zoo 3 times before figuring out where we could park, there are minimal signs and the ones that are there are very small. A lot of the animals seemed bored at least, stressed out at the most. There was a lot of pacing. I’m an animal husbandry fanatic and was appalled at the state of the reptile house, where they cohabit animals that shouldn’t be housed together. The signage inside the park is minimal as well, we spent a lot of the time wandering around hoping to come across a map or sign to point us in the right direction ruin. The online map we found was missing exhibits on it, which made it just as hard to use. If you’re disabled or otherwise out of shape, be warned that the park is pretty hilly and you may need to take plenty of rest stops. Also, the stalls in the restroom are really small so if you’re tall/fat/have young children with you they’ll be pretty inaccessible if you don’t get a handicapped stall. For reference, the stall I used was so small I couldn’t comfortably insert a tampon and instead had to drive around the city for 45 minutes to find a bathroom I could use. On the plus side, the zoo itself is very pretty. I appreciate how the gardens are labeled, and I really liked the native plant garden. There were zoo staff members posted at various exhibits and I enjoyed being able to chat with them about the animals. I personally wouldn’t visit this zoo again, and would not suggest making it your main destination if you want to visit. I didn’t find it worth the 5 hour round trip.
Very pricey to get in but its very neat. Over 4 million lights, Zoo attractions, a train for free rides around the zoo, mostly for smaller kids.Parking is a nightmare. This is the only negative experience about coming to the Festival of Lights.NOT ENOUGH CONVENIENCE FOR PARKING
Xmas lights thru the park were great, bunch of the animals not out cause of it being winter but was still a great time.
As far as exhibits and animals this Zoo is amazing.One of my favorite exhibits is Gibbons Island - a bridge that goes over a small pond with two islands that are open exhibits for the gibbons and it awesome to see the monkeys up close.Also not to mention getting to meet a real life celebrity names Fiona every time you go!The only thing I don’t like about a Cincinnati Zoo is the layout there are a lot of exhibits that are out and backs but after a while you make and adventure out of making the best way to navigate because this truly is an amazing zoo with so much to see.Let’s talk about the train, this ride is easily the best out of all zoo trains I have been on as you get several animal encounters on the train.
1st time here it was a good experience. If you could see the animals in action Im sure it would add to the experience. They are early so be sure to get there when they open so you have time to look around and see the few shows. Unfortunately I got there late. Its $10 to part in the parking lot but free on the street.
Very interesting zoo, Im used to the Columbus zoo being flat so I was very surprised by all the hills. Definitely got more of an exercise even though its smaller. If you get there by 11 you should be able to see everything in the zoo. I dont recommend the restaurants. Id you have little kids and are thinking of bringing a stroller, brace yourself
Very nice zoo. Its very large and I do feel like they could do a better job guiding visitors (more signs and maybe an interactive map/GPS option on the website). It can get very confusing walking around. Other large parks seem yo do a better job of this. Same kind of issue with NYE count down for kids. No one knew where to go and no one was offering any guidance. Its awesome to have such a nice zoo locally for sure. But they could definitely improve the visitor experience by offering better tools and more guidance.
Great place, but come in the warm temperate. Saw a lot of the animals in the mild cold, but definitely will be coming back in the warm temperate
The Cincinnati Zoo &Botanical Garden is a breath of peace. Whether your interest is animals, plants, or both, spend a day here. The care of the animals is outstanding. The are always improving their environment. I was gifted with a behind the scenes Hippo tour. What a learning experience. The good that they do here to promote and preserve the animal species is amazing. So before you criticize, do your research.Every staff member we encountered was pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable. I wish o lived closer, I wont to work or volunteer there.
Amazing zoo - weve been to many l, its our Easter tradition, and this one is the best for animals. Not a lot of show off stuff, just great animals you can tell are well cared for.
The zoo was fairly busy, but lines were short for everything except the train ride. It was clean, and the animals seemed well cared for.
One of the best Zoo experiences Ive ever had. This was my first time in Ohio and I was told to come to this zoo. I was only here for a few days and worked in many aquariums, always wanting to work in a zoo and this brought back the magic
We had a great time wandering around the many exhibits at the Cincinnati Zoo!
We love this zoo. They always seem to be striving for better space for the animals. And the keepers really love their animals. Knowledgeable animal experts are always available for experiences and to answer any questions!
It was definitely hot outside, but the experience was wonderful. First time to this zoo. They didnt have any bears though and the train ride is not worth $4 per person. The food inside the zoo was super expensive, so youll probably want to eat before you go and bring your own drinks. It was very clean and the animals had plenty of room to roam around.
Its a good place to go and get out of the especially if you have kids. Lots of activities and things to see. Take your time. Food is good and reasonably priced. Look for the wild life chat sessions to learn more about the animals
One of the top rated zoos in the U.S. On average, to see the entire zoo likely takes about 4 hours. Theres an outer route which takes one around the perimeter; and then youll need to wind in the middle a bit.Quite a variety of animals - large enclosures. One of the more unusual things is that we saw a dog in the cheetah enclosure - apparently it helps with becoming a cheetah as if in the wild. The zoo has a manatee; which is more common in aquariums.Beyond that, they have nice paths all throughout with lots of shade or protection from the rain. They have a lot of indoor exhibits as well as outdoor exhibits.They had many food court areas offering a variety of food options.Works for kids and adults of all ages.
Highly recommend!!! Zoo was amazing, staff was super friendly and informative! The kangaroo exhibit is a must see! Feeding the giraffes was a great experience for the kids! The atmosphere and gardens surrounding all the exhibits is to notch too! Easy to see why this is one of the top zoos in the world!!!
Everything was wonderful, between all they different houses we went in and seeing the elephants. The food was alright we went to the taco food truck and I must say the guacamole is impeccable but the barbacoa tacos arent the greatest I recommend the taquitos instead. If you plan to go I must say you should plan for going twice the park was so amazingly large. We got in about 11 or so and only got through about the left side of the map so definitely plan to go back at some point. Would definitely recommend bringing water and sunscreen I went with my partner and we went through two 1 liter water bottles by the end of the trip.
They need more maps. It was easy to get lost. We missed the wolf area because there wasnt a sign directing us that way past the penguins. We had to backtrack to see it. Besides that, the kids enjoyed the reptile area and the sea otters.
Went here for the first time! Me, husband and kiddos. We usually go to Louisville but because it was a field trip we decided to tag along. Best idea ever! I will never step back in Louisville zoo. Cincinnati zoo was amazing! Everything from the park to the people and the animals didnt look miserable like they do at Louisville.
The ticket line was amazingly long and slow. I left it and bought tickets online, highly recommended doing that. The zoo was busy but not overly crowded unless you wanted to buy food, those lines were long. Clean and well maintained, lots of animals were alone or with just one other in the enclosures
The only complaint I have is they had a whole lot of exhibits empty. We came to see animals and they were lacking that. It’s a beautiful zoo with really spacious habitats for the animals that were there. The people were so damn rude there too. The workers were ok but the people there today were total asshats with cutting in front on my sons wheelchair so they could see the animals without waiting their turns
Ive been been going to this zoo for 40 years and every visit was fun and always something new.
Nice zoo, seemed pretty clean. Wish they had more hand sanitizing stations around, considering zoos are inherently dirty and were still in pandemic mode (and this should be standardized to promote good hygiene, all the time). Really large too, which was a plus. Honestly to really spend time at every exhibit, give yourself at least 5 hours. Came from out of town and basically ran thru it in 3.5 because we had to get home. Fiona the hippo is half the reason we went - how could you not adore her!!
We took the grandkids to the Cincinnati Zoo and everyone had a wonderful time.The zoo is very well maintained and the animals seem to be well taken care of.My only minor complaint is the layout of the zoo, with its meandering pathways, its easy to miss things. The signage is not very good and the map that I printed off was almost useless (other than to get you in the general area)Nonetheless, the zoo is wonderful and well worth the trip.
We had a great time at the zoo! Its very large and there was a lot to explore. We didnt get to all of it with 2 little ones, but what we did see they loved.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-18Great exhibits and friendly staff. Very clean place. Lots of variety in species and habitats. Plenty of food/drink options for the family. Also a good amount of seating/benches along the way for the much needed breaks. Great play area for the kiddos. Admission Price isn’t absurd. Parking can be tricky if you don’t come super early. Would be glad to visit again.
Review №2
2022-05-24Worth it! Like most Zoos, Cincinnati Zoo features several hours of exhibits and animals from across the world. This zoo is an excellent attraction for families of all ages. Off season is the best time go, while it’s still a bit cold outside, to reduce the number of tourists. Likewise, arriving early will ensure that the animals are active and near feeding time. My favorite exhibit was Fiona the Hippo! I highly recommend this zoo for many reasons.
Review №3
2022-06-27We had a wonderful time. The programing is great . I highly recommend the birds of wonder and cheetah shows. We especially enjoyed seeing the hippos, feeding the giraffe and seeing the manatees. Zoo staff were stationed throughout the zoo to answer questions and provide information about the animals. Dining was ok, the bathrooms were clean and well stocked. Several bathrooms throughout the zoo area.
Review №4
2022-01-23We had a wonderful visit. It was Christmas glitters, lights, music and Santa all over the place. Lightening was at its best. Carefully lovingly kept wild and aquatic life. Most beautiful experience was that of zoo train and the musical fountains. Clean restrooms and warm refreshment areas. Excellent!
Review №5
2022-05-12We decided to take a family trip to visit Fiona that my wife and daughter have been following on social media. This zoo was so clean and well taken care of. The staff was polite and courteous and the animals looked so happy in their well maintained enclosures. Well worth the trip!
Review №6
2022-05-17Well maintained, lots of different animals to see, well laid out park, restaurants in the park to get something to eat and I plan on returning. Love it.Parking is a mess. Do not take the last turn google suggests. Youll end up on a dead end street. Google takes you to the exit end of a Parking lot to the zoo. There isnt an entrance there. You will be within eye sight of the park/ zoo. There are Parking lots located in the area you can park in. Expect to pay 10 dollars for Parking.
Review №7
2022-06-04Great place. I do wish more of the animals where out but overall it was great. You can buy your tickets and a stroller or wheel chair in advance. The stroller is $12 the double stroller is $15 Im not sure about the wheel chair. I did see 5 people and a child get in for $30 using there EBT card. Its $4 to ride the train and $3 to ride the carousel. You can get it all in one when buying your tickets.
Review №8
2022-03-16We went to Cincinnati for a day trip while visiting Kentucky. The zoo looked nice. Unfortunately during our trip we barely saw any animals due to the cold. We didnt get to see Hattie the Hippo either, even though it was above 40 degrees (which their policy states as the threshold to bring her out). Never got a clear answer on why she wasnt out. Some workers said it was due to her handlers not being available. Some said she didnt want to come out. They also had a lot of exhibits closed due to construction. It was actually pretty disappointing overall this trip due to the lack of stands open, lack of animals, and all of the construction. I voiced my disappointment to management however and they did rectify the situation, to the extent they could, which is why I gave the rating I did. My advice- go when it is definitely hot, although that will also undoubtedly mean larger crowds.We also had to pay $10 for parking after walking from the parking lot into the zoo: however there was nobody at the gate to verify we paid when leaving so that seemed like an unnecessary fee.
Review №9
2022-05-22OMG this place was so nice and amazing. Better than the Columbus Zoo by far. Loved the trees and tranquility if this place. No rides or water park ( at least I didnt see any) but the food was great and hospitality amazing. People there love doing there job will return soon! Loved this place! Oh I forgot they did have a train ride.
Review №10
2022-05-22Nice zoo. Get tickets online before or while you wait. The train was for kids but relaxing. It was Sunday so a little busy but not too bad. I recommend getting the fried dough with powdered sugar at Hops and enough for 3 to share. Buy a map guide when you get there...not free. Garden all around and beautiful in May. Clean bathrooms but they are sparse. Almost all animals seemed happy and well maintained. The penguins and meerkats were so cute and like to interact.