Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

A fantastic, world-renowned zoo and botanical gardens. Went most recently for the festival of lights in December. Weekday evenings the crowds aren't bad. Plenty a nearby parking (costs extra). Even the walking bridges, which are handicap/stroller accessible were illuminated. lots of seasonal snacks available. the biggest line was for hot cocoa. During the festival, they have upbeat festive music playing all over the park. You can enter many animal exhibit, such as the Cat house. The train and merry go round are fully operational, so there's plenty to do to keep children entertained. The lights are just incredible. If you purchase tickets online before you head down, you'll save money. If you realky plan ahead you might score Groupon tickets during black Friday.

The Cincinnati Zoo is a fantastic facility. We visited during the Festival of Lights, and while there was quite a crowd, the spacious grounds easily accommodated everyone. There were a lot of really neat illuminated animal displays, and just about every tree was lit up as well. We had a family encounter with a cheerful snowman, enjoyed a ride on the carousel, and, of course, took the Polar Express–themed train ride. Most of the zoo animals were down for the night; however, we did have access to the giraffe enclosure and were able to watch them eat their dinner. The staff was friendly and helpful throughout our visit. There were plenty of food options and several hot chocolate stands to help everyone battle the cold weather. Overall, it’s a great family event and a lot of fun.

We visited the Cincinnati Zoo in October 2024 as the final stop on our honeymoon, and out of the three zoos we visited, Cincinnati may honestly be one of my favorite zoos of all time. I have a service dog, and the entry process was incredibly smooth. We were asked to step aside so management could speak with us, and they asked the two legal ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) questions in a respectful and professional manner. Staff provided us with a map, pointed out designated potty areas, informed us of exhibits to avoid for safety reasons (such as the kangaroo walk), and explained how to contact staff if I wanted my service dog temporarily held so I could enter open animal exhibits. Everything was clearly communicated and handled perfectly. This was a solid 10/10 visit. At one point, I did request assistance so I could walk through the kangaroo exhibit with my husband and also see the blue penguins and vultures. The staff was incredibly professional, and my service dog did wonderfully with them. We also happened to come across two other legitimate service dog teams during our visit, which was really cool to see. My husband and I both absolutely loved the Cincinnati Zoo and will 100% be returning in the future.

This zoo was absolutely beautiful! When my family and I travel, we always try and visit new zoos (AZA-accredited). The Cincinnati Zoo has to be the top of our list now! We went first thing in the morning. It was a rather chilly day, but we had tickets for a behind-the- scenes experience. There was ample parking, everything was well marked, and on this day there were few patrons. Our Elephant Barn experience was great! Mike did an awesome job giving us the tour, sharing tons of knowledge, and answering all our questions. We are grateful for his time and this experience. The zoo is huge, so we were only able to get through half of it before needing to get on the road. We definitely plan to return. The admission pricing and parking for non-members seemed fair, in my opinion.

Awesome day at the zoo! Went around 2:30 and it wasn't too crowded though it did pick up as it got dark for Festival of Lights. The warm weather animals were off exhibit but got to see the rest. We did have to skip the hippos because of the crowd.

Went to the PNC festival of lights. An amazing experience to say the least. Over 5 million led lights displayed. One of my favorite zoos to Explore. Very clean and well staffed. Was a little on the chilly side so some of the animals weren't crazy enough to come out in it lol. They have a train that you can get on that takes you around the zoo which the path was lit with beautiful lights. Was a great trip and would highly recommend it.

Absolutely amazing memories are made here! It was super cold but it didn’t stop the fun; we would warm up in an exhibit building every chance we got! We watched zebras play like dogs, a gibbon had a super sweet moment with my son, pet a few snakes, we raced across swinging ropes and a balance beam over and over for laughs and so much more! Staff is super friendly and helpful as you wander about!

The Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights is one of those rare holiday traditions that feels just as magical every time you return. The changing light exhibits and new additions keep the experience fresh and exciting, even for repeat visitors, while the classic elements—like the iconic Christmas tree and the train ride—bring back all the best memories year after year. Even something as simple as sampling the different versions of sweet fries adds to the fun and cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and surprise, making it a truly memorable experience whether it’s your first visit or a beloved annual return. Highly recommended for families and anyone looking to make meaningful holiday memories.

I recently visited the Cincinnati Zoo during their Festival of Lights event, and it was an amazing experience! We arrived early in the afternoon to see some of the animals before the lights came on, and I'm glad we did--it gave us the best of both worlds. Plus, we were able to take advantage of the zoo's military ticket program for discounted admission, which was a nice bonus. From the moment we entered, I was impressed with the zoo's organization. The ample signage made navigating the exhibits easy, and every staff member I interacted with was friendly and eager to answer questions about the animals. One tip: I highly recommend purchasing the activity ticket, which includes unlimited rides on the train and carousel. These were perfect for taking a break while still enjoying the zoo, and they were a hit with kids and adults alike. When the sun set, the zoo transformed into a winter wonderland with the Festival of Lights. It was truly magical! The lights were stunning, and several evening events incorporated the animals, adding even more charm to the experience. I'm so glad I visited this year and can't wait to return next year. The Festival of Lights is a must-see for anyone looking for a unique holiday outing!

On November 30th, my fiancée and I came here as part of her birthday weekend trip. I have been here before in 2018 during the month of November. At both times there weren't alot of animals out due to the weather. Overall, my fiancee and I had a fun time and enjoyed seeing all of the animals that we could see. She really did enjoy seeing the elephants; since she graduated from Alabama. Once again, i did not get to the see the famous hippo, Fiona, due to the weather. :( hoping to be back so we can see more animals.

Loved coming to the Cincinnati zoo a couple weeks ago when we visited they have everything there. It was so nice to see all the animals living happy and healthy. One of my favorite exhibits was the nocturnal cats exhibit where you go into a building which is all dark, but all the animals are out walking around because that's their natural environment. They do have a brand new elephant exhibit that is just opening and it looks amazing. Food and drinks were good and we even stayed for the Zoofari event at the end of the evening. I would love to come back to the Cincinnati zoo another time and stay for even longer to see even more of the animals #RIPHarambe

The assortment of animals was incredible! The habitats had a lot of effort put into the design. My favorite was getting close to the penguins and walking with the kangaroos. Second favorite was the hippos - they were huuuuuuuuge. For the cons, the bathrooms were some of the grossest I've even been too. I literally couldn't walk in one without stepping in a puddle of urine. The food options were also not great. They were out of huge chunks of the items and then the quality was mixed. They also closed the gift shop at the same time as the park. They should leave it open for 30-45 mins past close so you don't have to sacrifice time with the animals. Overall, I'd definitely go back, but I'd bring my own food and hand sanitizer.

The Cincinati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is known as one of the best Zoo's in the country. It is located in the heart of the city. Access, parking and ticketing are easy accessible. Although general admission tickets are $28 at the counter, you can purchase tickets online directly for a nominal discount. The Zoo is vast and comprises of many animals, birds, insects that are both unique and common. Fiona the hippo is no longer a baby and is a star at the zoo. Where the Zoo gets high accolades is with several personal touch offerings ie; Giraffe feeding where zoo hosts can actually feed the giraffes by hand, a walk-in Kangaroo enclosure and a few other experiences not to be missed! The botanical horticulture and arborist garden displays are inter-dispersed all throughout the park. It's easy to spend an entire day here and not see everything. There are plenty of refreshment stands and a cafe that offers a variety of food for the entire family. Your own food and beverages into the park is allowable.

We have a season pass and saw a pumpkin glow advertised going on at the Cincinnati zoo. I knew the Christmas light event is covered by the pass. We got there only to find it's not included. We did get discount. It was 44 for 2 tickets. It would have been 50 for 2 tickets without a membership. They didn't charge for parking. The pumpkins were fake which is practically since they can be reused for years. But it was a disappointing. They had large sculptures made to look like a huge stalk of pumpkins that they carved. Maybe I'm a purist but prefer real pumpkins. The carvings were well done. If we had known it wasn't included in the pass and so expensive... we wouldnt have went. Last time we will go to this event. They didn't have stacked wall of jack-o-lantern which I think they should... like the look of that. They had lots of tiny fake pumpkin jack-o-lanterns in trees and bushes but they were hard to see.

We have a family pass and love going to zoo. I've been going here since I was a kid. Lots of great exhibits and they are always having fun events and renovating or adding new spaces. We went to HallZOOWeen for our daughter's second birthday recently and she had a blast trick-or-treating. I always love seeing Fiona!

11/10. You can easily spend 6 hours here and still feel like you didn't do it all. The amount of things this zoo thinks of is insane. From experience packages, park food, animal enrichment, and social media to animal info, habitat care, and even bathroom locations it's all done so thoughtfully. I love it here. I don't even live in the state and have managed to visit this place 3 times. Which is 2 more times than I've been to my local zoo.

The Cincinnati Zoo, the second oldest zoo in the United States. In my travels, I try to support zoos. I saw the bald eagles, elephants, red panda, kangaroos, giraffes, etc. The kangaroos exhibit was my favorite because you get to walk through their habitat with no fence. A friend of mine told me about Fiona so I went and met her. She's their famous hippo. Learning about her incredible journey from a premature baby to a thriving adult was awesome. So cute.

Loved it! My experience and day were amazing. I'm worn out. Walked nearly 10k steps. So clean, so beautiful and well maintained. I highly recommend it. So much to do. It's pricey but a lot to maintain and I imagine it's expensive to run a zoo. Truly an asset for our Greater Cincinnati community.

I live close the the Washington DC zoo and this was just as good with other animal area than we have. Loved the kangaroo area. I wish the zoo was a bit larger as it only took us an hour or two to walk through but that's not a bad thing!

We attended the Zoo Brew event. The zoo brought together local brewery's located throughout the zoo with tastings of their popular beers. We opted for the early entry which allowed the group to spread out. I wish there were more animals out, but it was perfect fall weather. The pours were rather generous and I had to be mindful of how much I consumed with 14 pours to sample. After the general admission it got a bit crowded but everyone was having fun. If you see tickets in February jump on them the event sell out fast

I love the Cincinnati zoo! I've been coming here since I was a kid. I hadn't been in a while and it's so great to see the continued improvements they are making. The kangaroo area was a blast, being able to be in their enclosure with them, and I am loving the new elephant area! They have a lot of good food choices, their prices are pretty much what's to be expected of an amusement park type of place, but it's a great spot to get all the Cincinnati faves! Skyline chili, Graeter's ice cream and LaRosa's pizza just to name a few. Beautiful, clean space and a great family spot!

This may be the best zoo I've ever been to. So beautiful and well kept. The exhibits are large enough where the animals have plenty of room yet still leave room for viewing. Large zoo which will take a full day to see so plan accordingly. Pretty cheap, and military discounts. They have a train that looks amazing, runs thewhole zoo with views can only see from the tracks! Didn't have time last visit but going back for sure!

Although Fiona the hippo is the star of the Cincinnati zoo, there is plenty else to see, especially around the holidays during the Christmas lights festival, which is quite the treat. Fun for people of all ages, I'd recommend checking out Savannah for a blueberry soft serve before you leave. Reminders of Harambe are too far and few in between, in my opinion.

I've been to a lot of zoos and I was really impressed by this one! First off, the grounds are beautiful. Well kept, pretty landscaping and a very nice walk. The paths were wide enough to accommodate a lot of people. It was hard to navigate at times because there have been a lot of renovations since the app map was updated, but it was fine to just wander around until we saw everything. I was impressed by the unique animals they had. There were some animals I've never seen before. The price of admission was reasonable for how large of a zoo it is.

Great zoo! We loved it. I have mobility issues and was able to rest a motorized scooter for the day. It made our visit that much more enjoyable. The animals were fun and the flowers were gorgeous.

Really nice zoo. Happened to be rainy and very humid when we went so many animals were not out, which was a bummer, but it happens. Rides were also down. Reminds me of a European zoo or something. Lots of greenery and everything is spread out. The reptile house is in this cool old-school concrete building. Food options looked great, just wasn't hungry enough at 10AM to try them. Only complaints: 1. Strollers have to take an elevator before you can even enter the zoo. So after you park, you roll the stroller up to a long, long line and have to wait for what seems like forever to even access it. One elevator might have been down at the time but it's such a buzzkill to get there and be all ready to go and then just be stuck and can't get in until taking turns piling into crowded elevators. Seems like a design flaw somewhere. No staff anywhere either to help direct traffic or navigate the lines. 2. Also very confusing getting around. I ended up just stopping trying to get specific places and just wandered. It was hard to tell how much of the zoo I was seeing.

I was told when I arrived 3 days ago that this zoo is the number 3 rated zoo in the US. While I had a busy schedule before Saturday I actually had nothing specific planned for that day so that morning I decided to attend. Zoo's aren't a big thing with me so I was hesitant but then said "when in Rome" and took the chance. I am glad I did. Parking here is $10 in lots and no cash. The admission tickets are best bought on line. Read this next part carefully. A couple of days before I looked online and saw the price for my ticket which varies on what day you come with weekends being the most expensive. The day before, I again checked online and saw where it had increased $1. The morning of when I finally decided to go the price I paid online was $4 more than it was 2 days earlier. When I arrived at the zoo that morning there was a long line of people buying tickets at the window. I asked an adult lady what she paid for hers immediately after her purchase and it was $11.50 more than I paid online about 2 hours earlier. Tip: buy your tickets early and buy them online. This zoo is really nice. It is well laid out and I enjoyed several of the exhibits. My favorite one was the cheetah encounter. Twice a day the staff puts on a 20 minute show in front of grandstands that hold about 300 people. 2 cheetahs come out separately in a caged lawn in front of you and chase a furry ball attached to a line like greyhound racing. Those animals are incredibly fast chasing it. It was a very entertaining show. I would budget 3-4 hours to go through this zoo and would recommend a weekday due to weekend crowds. If you must come on the weekend it's best to arrive at opening time. This place gets busy later in the day. This zoo deserves a 5 star rating.

This is a nice zoo! my last visit to a zoo was around 2012 and was the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in DC. I really really enjoyed that zoo! First of all the National Zoo is free [but you do have to get passes], and it's a tightly organized zoo that we were able to enjoy hitting all the highlights that interested us in around 1.5 hours. The walk was easy on that cool-ish October day. The Cincinatti Zoo 's admission for nonmembers was ~ $55.00 for two [my daughter and me] last week. Parking in the spacious adjacent lot was $10.00, and two stuffed animals from the gift shop, I purchased for her children came to around $65.00. Maybe I'm cheap, but this seemed a little pricy, even without the gift shop purchase. Although this is technically the "Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden," at our visit, at least, there was not much that was apparent to the "botanical garden" piece of it. Looking at photographs here, it looks like the tulip season [which we just missed] is really spectacular! I did not notice many placards explaining the plants, or anything outstanding regarding plant life/vegetation during our 3.5 hours here. That may be on me, maybe I was not paying close enough attention. The animals are the star of this show and we really enjoyed what we were able to see. Although the zoo was branding this experience as focusing on "baby animals" we only say one baby animal - a very sweet, and fun-to-watch baby monkey/ape. We enjoyed the manatees, the penguins, the zebras, the sloth [although he was hard to locate], the elephants, the bald eagles, the puffins, the pretty scarlet ibis', pink flamingoes, meerkats, and of course the hippos! Some described the zoo's layout as a circle. I would call it, in general, a circle, with clover shaped areas emanating from the circle. There is a LOT to explore here. Do go to the Cincinatti Zoo! For this time of year, I recommend wearing a hat and sunscreen, there's not a lot of overhead coverage to provide shade, and definitely wear comfortable shoes - we walked 3+ miles in 3.5 hours.

I've been wanting to come to Cincinnati Zoo since Fiona was born and I was absolutely elated when we finally made it out here. The entire experience beat my expectations by miles. Thanks to "Museums for All", our tickets were $6 each and parking became $1. We walked for hours seeing all the animals, giraffes and hippos being my favorite. We were at the hippos when they were being fed lettuce which was a exciting experience for me. I noticed other visitors also were drawn to the hippos because it was by far the most people filled area. I enjoyed that the patterns on the giraffes made them fairly distinct, enough that with the help of signs I could tell which name belonged to which giraffe. My husband is already talking about how we definitely need to make another Cincinnati trip, which will include coming back to the zoo if I have a say at all haha. Thanks Cincinnati Zoo for a fantastic time.

We absolutely love the Cincinnati Zoo! We are yearly members and are impressed with how well animals are taken care of.

This zoo was the best zoo I've visited out of the 4 zoos I've visited between Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The zoo had lots of shade and a wide variety of animals. The exhibits actually felt like the animals home rather than a cage because of all the natural growth, moving water, and the small details of what the animals would actually live around. The zoo was a little confusing to get around but after a time or two the maps make sense. One thing I haven't seen anywhere else is the nocturnal exhibit where you enter a building and it's completely dark other than the red lights. Very nice touch. This zoo had lots of information about the animals and felt like they cared for the animals. I attended the zoo at 10 am - 5 pm and saw about 25% of the zoo twice. So you won't get tired of seeing the same thing at this zoo. One thing to note is this zoo didn't feel very handicap friendly due to the large incline and declines and stairs. Throughout the time at the zoo I walked 6 miles. Overall I highly recommend this zoo.

I read that the Cincinnati Zoo was one of the top 3 zoos in the US and that is correct! Designated as a National Historic Landmark in the late 80s this is an easy zoo to navigate as it is basically a circle. I suggest purchasing tickets in advance to save money. Parking is available for 10.00. Concessions are on par with other major attraction parks and the grounds are just beautiful. The Zoo is combined with the Botanical Gardens so you see many native flowers and plants..all well marked as you walk between the different exhibits. They also offer a tram ride that will take you thru out the zoo if you don't want to do a lot of walking for an extra fee. This is a Zoo that you don't want to miss while in the Cincy area.

If I could give this zoo 10 stars, it still wouldn't be enough. The zoo is gorgeous and provides each of its animals with beautifully maintained and spacious exhibits. Although the price of admission is a little steep, it's well worth it since it contributes to the beauty and wellbeing of these animals. Plan on spending nearly a full day here as there is so much to see! Luckily they have a wide variety of food and drink options located throughout the zoo and there's even a train that travels all around the zoo so you can see it from a different vantage point. We can't wait to visit again!

Y'all love some hills at your zoo!! The layout is really (REALLY) a large footprint but it's well staffed, well maintained and if you have their app well mapped. Paper maps are for sale- wish we'd known that. There's ample shade and seating to enjoy between those hills! We loved the focus on pollinators & the garden plantings a great deal!

My recent trip to the Cincinnati Zoo was like a journey into the wild, right in the heart of the city! It had been way too long since I'd ventured into a zoo, but boy, am I glad I dusted off my safari hat for this adventure. First off, buying tickets online was the way to go; not only did it save us some dough, but it also meant we could hop right into the fun without any hassle. Parking is $10, but keep your eyes peeled for those free street parking spots which would be a perfect excuse for a pre-zoo stroll. I must admit we did come on a cloudy afternoon, so we missed out on the twinkling lights of the night zoo. There were not many people around as they probably prefer visiting when it's finally dark. Now, let's address the elephant in the room - well, not literally because unfortunately, they were still getting ready for their grand entrance when we visited. Some of the others were also playing hide-and-seek but we still had a blast and tried to make the best out of our visit. From towering giraffes to majestic tigers, I couldn't help but feel like a wide-eyed, wonder-filled kid again. Marveling at creatures I'd only ever seen on screens, talk about those close encounters: standing just a whisker away from endangered species like Snow Leopards, Cougar, African Painted Dogs, and Bald Eagles? Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it. Another visitor commented to us, "This is probably the closest we can ever get to these animals" and it hit us hard. My gosh, how true! I also enjoyed seeing the adorable red pandas and the gorillas. We chuckled seeing some of the behaviors of the animals, and we had fun secretly doing voiceovers of them. The bird show was a no-go, but the insect building kept us entertained more than I anticipated. We spent way too much time eew-ing the creepy crawlies, and wow-ing some beauties. Watching those leaves-carrying ants strutting their stuff through a clear tube was like watching a miniature parade! Who knew leaf-carrying ants could be so fascinating? Then seeing those jumping stick insects, I wonder how many I've accidentally stepped on during my nature walk so far :,( And oh don't even get me started on Fiona and her family - they were the most popular and crowded spot; they kept swimming against the glass and everyone was awww-ing. Those hippos really knew how to work the crowd. I went with someone who thought of everything and prepared some light lunch and snacks from home - a move that was stroke of genius because the food court still wasn't open yet. By the way, the sheer size of the zoo left us awe-struck; we explored for over 3 hours and barely scratched the surface. All in all, a day at the Cincinnati Zoo was a wild ride that left me feeling grateful to share this planet with such magnificent creatures.

What a beautiful zoo and the gardens!! We loved every minute here. The encounters they have are really something else here. The train was perfect for the toddler in our group and I might add that I enjoyed it as well. My favorite was the encounter with the Galapagos tortoises! You get to walk thru with them and pet their backs and watch them eat but I loved every minute. Surprisingly, lunch was very good too. I had the buffalo chicken wrap at the safari cafe and it was really tasty and not too over priced. Also, lots of shade over the walking paths made it much more pleasant. It was definitely a day well spent with beautiful greenery and animals.

The animals were very active and soooo adorable. Would definitly recommend going to the cats part of the zoo and feeding the giraffes is a MUST. The safari railroad is a fun and relaxing way to get a quick overview of the wonderful exhibits that you will be seeing. The insect house was very scary but if that's what your interested in, then you should check it out.

We traveled her for spring break to give the zoo a try. It is a great zoo! Lots of animals to see. My kids loves the insect house, hippos, and kangaroo walk. We spent about 5 hours walking around with 3 kids 6 and under. They have play area throughout the park and several dining options. The food for the most part was good just pricey as usual for an attraction like this. I highly recommend getting map or pulling it up on your phone if you are looking for something specific. There are several crossroads with signs pointing to certain attractions but you can easily miss something.

What an amazing experience. This zoo is huge. So much to do and so much to see. We stopped here on a recent road trip and were thrilled with how much there was to do. A membership to this zoo would certainly be worth it. We tried our best to see everything, but I'm sure we missed a lot. The up close exhibits of the elephants and giraffes were awesome. The petting zoo was a cool sensory experience. The kangaroo walkabout was unlike any zoo experience we've had. My daughter loved it and is already asking when we can go back.

Definitely something for everyone. Quick and easy to get into the zoo if you buy your tickets online. They let you bring in your own food and drinks which is a huge plus because the drinks are expensive if you do decide to buy from the zoo. Parking was full but we'll organized and the staff will direct you on an open spot. The inside is really nice, plenty of room for strollers and wheel chairs. Bathrooms were clean. 10/10 recommended.

Zoo blooms is going on. Parking is tight. " Some are parking on the street... I turned into the lot across from the main entrance to turn around. I picked up two nails from that lot. Do not turn in there...! They are adding the new elephant exhibit which looks great... However there are a ton of nail floating around. Someone from zoo maintenance should run a large magnet around to pick them up.., The zoo was beautiful though... Now is a great time to go... Stay clear of the construction areas or prepare to suffer... Great Zoo...!

This is my favorite place in the world! I love our zoo. It always has something going on. It's always well taken care of and I am always hoping to catch a glimpse of Thayne Maynard. So let's go out to the zoo!!!

We love going to the Cincinnati zoo at least once a year. This year we met some family members and got a few miles of walking in and managed to see only 90% after 3 hours. I highly recommend you see one of these shows such as the wings encounter Times are on the app or posted on the various show boards or maps . Speaking of maps you'll need one, without one or it gets confusing as to what area you have been to or not. Book your tickets online and don't prepay for parking as sometimes the gates open and parking can be free,

This is a two-fer in my book because not only is it a terrific zoo but also a well planned botanical garden. Going as a couple and not with kids we spent about two hours and covered just about everything. I loved the Birds Of The World exhibit being an avid birder. Facilities were clean and if you just keep walking in a continuous circle you cover all the exhibits. You do save money on admission by booking in advance online and prices increase with demand. Parking charge is $10 but wish it could have been paid along with admission online. A great way to spend a beautiful day.

It's the zoo. It has hippos. And I got to see a baby cheetah. That's honestly all I would need, but it's also a really nice space, both for visitors and animals, and spending some time there in the fall makes for a really nice day outside (it gets hot quickly in the summer). They also accept zoo memberships from other zoos for a ticket discount, which is very nice.

All around a great zoo experience! We went at the beginning of January so our expectations were fairly low to begin with. We arrived at 4pm which I'd say was the perfect time for a winter lights and zoo in the daylight experience. We saw a surprising amount of animals in indoor enclosures despite the cold weather! By the time we finished doing a quick lop around to look at animals in the daylight/ while the places were open it was dark out and we did another loop to look at the lights, a great experience! Parking was easy to find and access, it's $10 which is a little steep. The biggest pro of this zoo was how informative the website was, it had daily updates, parking information, ticket price information, etc. I felt very prepared before arriving. We got hot chocolate as well which was some of the best I've ever had, also very expensive but really good! Overall, a very fun experience, block out a few hours since there's a lot to see!

One of the best zoo I've been so far, I follow this zoo in social media but it was my first time going. We too our infant and spent the whole day from opening to close and didn't manage to visit all exhibits. Their nursing rooms were clean and cool during a hot day. The nursing room made our trip to this zoo worth it. Went during Father's Day and they had a special event going on. Overall, amazing zoo and would definitely consider getting their membership.

I was amazed at how I've never driven by the zoo in all my time in Cincinnati even though it's in such a central location. It's just beyond the UC campus. This zoo is stellar. To start, you'll have to pay ten dollars for parking (up to you if you pay at beginning or end). While paying for parking is always a bummer, there is shading to keep your car from becoming a sauna while you're gone. You walk in and can immediately tell there is a huge staff that is keeping the greenery immaculate. Keep in mind that this is a zoo AND botanical garden. I was so (happily) thrown off by all the labeling and extensive variety of plants because I just thought I was going to simply a zoo. There's the whole spectrum of animals that you can see. Maps are posted throughout the park and you can easily find a map to have on your phone - again, plenty of staff to help as well. I stumbled upon the cheetah encounter, this was a short and simple showing that shared facts about the animals and gave time for a Q and A. Under 20 minutes, the kids are able to stay engaged, looks like there's a variety of these "encounters" throughout the zoo with different animals. Overall, I spent three hours there and was impressed by the cleanliness and informative nature of the park, and expansiveness of the exhibits. The red pandas were probably my favorite :). Also, while there are food options, you can also bring your own food in!!

We love our Cincinnati Zoo! With our passes we get to enter an hour before the general admission guests which allows lots of room and time to check off those must do items such as: -The carousel -The train -Feed the giraffes -The kangaroo exhibit -The Hippo Exhibit To feed the giraffe is $4 but totally worth it to see your kids face light up while feeding. The Hippo Exhibit is awesome but crowded unless you go early. Coming early this past summer I've observed more animals outside enjoying the weather before it's too hot. Maps are $1 but there signs are all over the zoo.. although somewhat confusing still. If you live in Cincy definitely buy a pass! It will pay for itself in 2 visits. If you're just visiting- get your wallet out! It will be worth it though as it is a beautiful, well cared for zoo. My daughter goes for the animals and I go to look at the gorgeous botanical gardens!

We spent a chilly but awesome day at the zoo on black Friday! Not all the animals are out during the winter but enough to keep us busy for a few hours! The zoo is beautiful as always!

My boyfriend and I had so much fun here last weekend! We arrived at around 2:45 and the friendly worker at the admissions gate notified us of the sunset hours to save money, starting at 3! We were so excited to get this deal. Although we were not able to see everything in two hours, we still got our money's worth out of the experience. The surroundings are so pretty. So many animals were out for us to see! Some of my favorites were the hippos, giraffes, monkeys, insects, and cheetahs. Super cool that they have elephants! I have been to other zoos and this one truly stood out. I hope to be able to attend the holiday night lights this season and go for another sunset hour so I can see more of the exhibits!

This is a very large and beautiful zoo. The zoo has some interesting food trucks on the premises. The animal enclosures are very nice. The zoo has a wide variety of animals. Of course, Fiona and Fritz are the main draw.

My favorite zoo! The animals are well taken care of and seem happy. Lots of cool events. Love the Christmas lights as well! The gift shop is expensive but has a lot of cool things. A great place for nature photography!

There's nothing like a brief vacation to inspire a return to one of my favorite childhood haunts - the Cincinnati Zoo. As a child, my family was ultra-religious and I would often travel with my mother throughout the Midwest to various regional conferences. It was a rare opportunity for me to get to see other cities as we traveled very little otherwise. While I missed the chance to visit with Santa (I'm on the naughty list anyway), the Cincinnati Zoo has the PNC Festival of Lights still going until January 9th. It has won the top spot in the category of Best Zoo Lights four years in a row from USA Today 10Best post. To be honest, while I admire our own lights here in Indy, I'll give the slight nod to Cincy as I think there's an inspired creativity to them and still a nice respect for the animals. The Cincinnati Zoo officially opened its doors all the way back in 1875. It's the second oldest zoo in the United States. It started on 65 acres, though it has grown tremendously over the years. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and has the oldest zoo building in the country - the Reptile House (Have I mentioned I love reptiles?). The zoo has actually even been part of the public school system in Cincy since 1975 and hosts a 4-year college prep program. The Cincinnati Zoo is widely known for its breeding program. It has 1.5 million visitors annually and now has more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species. Like most zoos, the Cincinnati Zoo has both regular admissions and memberships. A membership pays for itself in two visits and includes its Festival of Lights (and unlimited entries into it!). The last time I visited the Cincinnati Zoo, I was walking on crutches. This time, I'm a wheelchair user. However, I'd always remembered it as being accessible and this seemed to be the case this time around. The Cincinnati Zoo has an initiative, in partnership with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), to become the most welcoming, accessible, and inclusive Zoo for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. As someone who both has a developmental disability and works in the field of intellectual/developmental disability, I love this. The Cincinnati Zoo offers the following disability friendly options: Adult changing tables Sensory maps Sensory-friendly restrooms Zoo adventure planning map Zoo adventure planning choices An experience access pass Financial assistance for schools through the Living Classroom Education Access Fund Going to the Zoo Social Narrative Going to the Zoo Social Narrative - COVID-19 Updates Going to the Zoo Video Narrative  Roo Valley Social Narrative Roo Valley Video Social Narrative Giraffe Feeding Social Narrative Giraffe Feeding Video Social Narrative Blakely's Barnyard Bonanza Social Narrative Cheetah Encounter Social Narrative Zoo Visual Supports and Rules Sensory bags filled with oral motor chewy tubes, fidgets, bubble makers, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, etc. (Available for check-out at the Welcome Center) 2 Calming rooms - 1 in Vine Street Village & 1 in Mai Thai's Market Adventure Ropes course with ADA accessible components The zoo has strollers and wheelchairs for rent: Single Strollers ($10, $9 for members) Double Strollers ($14, $13 for members) Standard Manual Wheelchair ($10) Electric Convenience Vehicles with canopy, limited ($30) It's important to note (and I had completely forgotten this but it is on the zoo website) that the zoo is built on a hill and does have inclines. Zoo staff or volunteers can help find less steep areas and I did notice lots of benches and rest areas. There are other accessibility options. Truly, Cincy has done a lot and also has a Sensory-Friendly Santa during the holiday season. I really enjoyed my visit here. I didn't really have as much time as I wanted, but it was both a great way to spend a day and a nice flashback to my childhood. The reptile house is always a favorite for me - boas, cobras, vipers, a gila monster, and others are highlights. I think most of us remember Fiona the Hippo - she's at the Cincy Zoo! There's also a smaller, more interactive children's zoo within the zoo that includes a bearcat that serves as the ambassador for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats! So much to love that even writing about it makes me want to go back. Yes, the hills were tiring (especially since I was alone), but it was definitely worth my time. I may plan better next time, but I definitely want to explore the zoo in warmer weather.

This is an amazing place! I follow several of their animal on the socials (Fiona the Hippo, Lightening and Mo the sloths, red pandas) and I was so happy to "meet" them in person. The zoo itself is very large, I spent 6 hours there and I wasn't even able to see all of the animals and exhibits. It was very busy and quite crowded in most indoor exhibits. It was not as congested when walking outside. I feel like this zoo did a wonderful job recreating the animal's natural habitats and they all had large spaces to roam. Roo Valley is so unique in that you can actually walk around the inside of the exhibit!! You must stay on the trail, but the kangaroos are not afraid to get pretty close to visitors. There were several animals I had actually never seen in person before - the painted dogs were BEAUTIFUL! The manatees looked so happy and they even seemed to interact with me. The primates were set back from the main zoo trail in a forest environment that actually felt like a jungle. RIP Harambee Food and drink is plentiful through the zoo and there is a wide variety to chose from. Everything was really clean, employees were masked. My favorite moment was visiting Mo the Sloth. My husband and I were the only people in the Discovery Forest. We were there at closing time and I think we got in right before the doors locked. Mo had just been fed (poor Lightening had just given birth and lost her little baby :( so she was unable for viewing.) And he was just "loose" - as in he was free to roam wherever within the Discovery Forest (enclosed). So Mo was eating and he moved *really* close to us; he saw my husband and - I am not joking - extended his arm with the cob of corn he was munching on and gave it to my husband. For real. Mo the Sloth gently let the corn cob roll out of his claw and directly to my husband. This is why I love sloths! I feel like they can make a magically connection. After many moments of joy, we had to say goodbye. This is a wonderful place that everyone would enjoy. I highly recommend!!

This beer restaurant is complete garbage. Their pizza is completely inedible. I mean, come on: it looks like the workers threw a bunch of shit on the dough and called it a MASTERPIECE!!! :\ I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't cook it either. Anyways, they also overcharged it. Like seriously, I went to another restaurant who had better food with a much cheaper price. So stop being greedy and get your shit together, zoo!!! :(

In my opinion, still the top zoo in the country! They are always working to improve life for the animals in their care. Wide open spaces, lots of benches to rest on, numerous food options. Fiona, Tucker, and Bibi were out this time, putting on a show! A lot of fun to see them interact. So expressive. I'm hoping they'll bring back their interactive program soon--washing elephants, feeding the hippos, meeting animals. For now, however, they still have tons to do. Africa section, primates, giraffes, elephants, painted dogs, insects, big cats, large birds of prey, and more. Tickets are 19 dollars. Well worth it. And buy online to avoid ticket lines! Regular parking is 10 dollars, but if you park in the Erkenbrecher lot across the street, no charge, less crowding, and only a short walk across a pedestrian bridge.