Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

I’ve been to many zoos around the country, from small community zoos to large ones. I’ve even worked at the Toledo Zoo for several years while we lived up there. The Columbus Zoo has always been hailed as something amazing, and there is reason for that hype, but also a lot to be frustrated about.
To start with… the good. A lot of beautiful animal exhibits that allow you up close viewing of the animals. The grounds are also beautiful, and a lot of statues for the kids to climb on. We hardly ever make it through the whole zoo on any visit, there’s just so much to see. Also, the most amazing outdoor play area in Columbus. The structure (enclosed) seems to be a few stories high, and kids play there until we have to pry them out because they are having so much fun.
…and now for the bad.
This zoo is clearly well-​run in the sense of profitability. Unless you are attending during the crowded summer months or on a busy weekend, several exhibits are closed. They do not want to pay to staff some exhibits and therefore close them when the crowds are not high enough. This makes it frustrating as a member who actually prefers to come to the zoo during off-​peak times. We also homeschool our children, so we were hoping to take advantage of bringing them to the zoo when others are in school. However, soon after school started, many things closed during the week, including the carousel, jungle jack’s landing, the stingray bay, lorikeet exhibit, playgrounds, etc.
It was frustrating that even when we had an unseasonably warm day in the 60’s during the late fall, I took the kids to the zoo and so much was closed we all left a little frustrated. I mean, the carousel and the playground are just as big of a draw as the animals, and for them to be closed is frustrating.
The salt in the wound is that their vending carts are plentiful and fully staffed all around the park. The message was clear, «If it makes us more money, we’ll staff it.»
Another political frustration is that the Zoo is supported in part by Franklin County taxpayers… while the zoo itself is out in the neighboring Delaware County… we have to pay for a zoo that we need to drive a while to visit.
Final gripe that was mentioned by another here, that there really is a lack of educational material around the zoo. There are obligatory small boards here and there with the animals names, but after visiting other zoos, I know that much more can be done in this respect. Little is mentioned about their history, their habitat, their range, their diets, etc. My homeschooled children don’t really learn a whole lot from visiting the zoo unless they pay to attend a class, or if I bring along supplementary information about each animal.
In conclusion…
We have a beautiful zoo, and folks visiting from outside of town will really enjoy it. It is pricey to pay to park and attend the zoo, but definitely worth spending a day there. As for becoming a member, we’ll keep doing it because it does provide us with a nice option when the weather is nice, but be aware that much closes down when the crowds aren’t high, so go with low expectations. Also, bring along an animal fact book if you want to learn more about the animals you are enjoying.

Great zoo with lots of varieties of animals. The animals genuinely seem to get the care and attention they need to stay healthy and happy.
The downside as a visitor is that everything is sponsored and merchandised the way an amusement park is. It can be crowded, especially close to the holidays. Without the zoo pass, parking is expensive.
While I’m on the topic of downside, I hate the Zoombezi Bay weather refund policy, which screwed me out of my admission fee just seconds after I paid.
All that said, the zoo pass is probably the best deal in Columbus with two young children. We go at least 10 times a year, and sometimes we just go to the jungle gym to run off some energy.

Love this place! So much to see. We’ve had a pass for over 4 years now and my son never gets bored!

There are few things better than spending a nice summer day with the family here. I have been to zoos all over the country (and other countries) and this is the best one for the money by far. It offers tons of exhibits and animals. And their season pass is a steal. There’s no where else that you can go over a dozen times in a year and still have as much fun. I highly recommend for families who enjoy the outdoors.

Not impressed. We went to see the Christmas lights. Too expensive for what you get. Very limited animals. They also charge more to out of county residents. Way to support tourism to your community. Won’t recommend or go back.

Hands down the best zoo that I’ve ever been to. We went and enjoyed the Wild lights as well. You really get the best experience if you go during the showing and summer. Today, as expected, most of the warmer climate exhibits were closed for the season, but this time of the year that’s expected and the Christmas light displays make up for it. The Zoo is also very well designed and captures the entire world. There really isn’t a point where you are walking without seeing an exhibit.

This is genuinely and easily one of the best zoos I’ve been to.
The Columbus Zoo is a MASSIVE zoo complex in Ohio. It easily trumps the size of all other zoos I’ve ever been to — the sprawl seems infinite in a crazy sort of way, even though the individual pens aren’t particularly larger than those at other zoos. The sheer number and volume of animals here seems to be some order larger than other zoos, though I’m not aware of the actual size comparisons (if any).
I went here during the winter, meaning that I expected very little in terms of viewing opportunities. Frankly, I was surprised. The animals were out, healthy, happy, and enjoying the unusually warm winter. While some more weather-​temperamental animals (e.g. the birds) were off somewhere else, some of the hardier animals (such as the bears!) were happily sleeping or messing around like it was any other day.
Some of my favorite exhibits included the lions, the tigers, and the red pandas — all cute, and all very easy to see thanks to the huge pens and the huge number of different windows and viewpoints. The red panda location was particularly awesome — unlike that in San Diego, there seemed to be a lot of opportunity for the red panda to play and nap in view of the visitors without being particularly bothered.
This place is huge, so prepare to walk a lot. There’s an available train and shuttle service, but it doesn’t seem to run all the time. Lots of families bring strollers and wagons — that may be a good plan.
Definitely check this place out — it’s worth a trip!

Very big zoo! But there’s so much to do and see. The best time to go is in the fall or end of summer or even the spring when it’s not that hot. The animals move around more. I had so much fun taking photos of the animals.

I was expecting much more. This zoo was way over-​hyped. «The best in the Midwest… it’s Jack Hanna’s zoo!» I had very high expectations. Having seen the Cincinnati zoo, which was good but modest, I was assured by several people that this place would blow that one out of the water.
It is crowded and pricey. Pay for parking, pay for admission, proceed to be constantly inundated by vendors the minute you walk in the gate. Completely commercialized… you can’t walk ten feet without someone trying to hawk stuffed animals, food, or animal rides. I felt like the animals took a back stage role to the ultimate goal of the place, which was clearly to sell crap. It is a huge campus but most of the sprawl is unnecessary and just allows for more space to put up kiosks and vendors. The number and variety of animals on display didn’t strike me as any better than other zoos of similar size. The overall experience is cleary geared towards families with kids and sending them on rides… which is great. However, if you came here hoping to see a world-​class display of animals without all of the extra crap, this is probably not the place.

As a science educator, I was surprised and really honestly very appalled that they were so many animal exhibits without any educational information — not even the basics of habitat or animal behavior. There were very few docents who could answer questions and educate visitors about the animals. As I listened to conversations around me, visitors were taking it all in, and were very curious about what they were seeing, but there’s a missed opportunity here to provide educational information to visitors, and that is unfortunate.
Please note that the folks in the light blue shirts are retail workers. I had some questions and I approached one of the staff, but he could not help me and did not even know where the animal I was looking for was located. He explained that he worked in retail. Signage was very poor. It was not easy to determine where you were in the zoo or where the exhibits were located.
On top of this there was a car show at the front of the zoo, and that is really off focus from what a zoo is intended to provide. I was very disappointed by how commercialized the entire facility felt. I felt like I was in an amusement park, and the animals were more there as a sideshow.
On the plus side, the animal exhibits — the main ones — were stunning. The bears and giraffes especially. All the animals seemed very well cared for.
I had been considering a Zoo membership because I am in the area — but after seeing the zoo firsthand, I am going to invest that annual contribution to an organization that seems to be more focused on education, and not entertainment.

One of the first things we did after moving to Columbus was to purchase a zoo membership. This zoo is one of the tops in the country and we visit at least once a month. Lots of programs and events that change with the seasons. Great way to get outside and enjoy the exhibits. Open year round and don’t miss wild lights.

My husband and I argue about which zoo we like better, Columbus or Cincinnati. I give the edge to Cincy, for the variety of animals. The hubby prefers Columbus for the layout and the lack of hills. Both are amazing and I am glad they are both within easy driving distance.
This zoo has almost 2 parks (and no, I’m not counting the water park). This makes it nice if you have an annual pass or if you plan on visiting more than once a year. You don’t have to try to cram in the whole thing all at once if you don’t want. The closer section houses the North American, Heart of Africa and Asia Quest exhibits. I swear, one of these days I will actually see the Alaskan Brown Bears awake… I need to figure out when feeding time is. The Heart of Africa exhibit is really cool… love the large savannah area where you get to see many different species interacting. And I was so bummed I missed seeing the new lion cubs, but I’ll probably visit again closer to Christmas for the lights exhibit.
The further section (separated by a tunnel under a bridge), has the Australian/​Island, Congo, Insect and Reptilian exhibits and the Aquarium. I love the open air kangaroo walk-​through and the indoor/​outdoor gorilla exhibit.
With such a large animal population, they have a fair amount of babies/​youngins around the zoo, which always ups the cute factor.
Food is alright, but zoo concessions never seem to really wow me. Even though we don’t have kids, I usually pack a backpack with water bottles and snacks and we grab dinner somewhere better on our way home outside the park. The souvenir cup is actually not a bad buy. It’s pricey, but you get free refills the day of purchase and after that, refills are $ 0.93 (I believe $ 1 with tax) for the rest of the calendar year. Just don’t put them in your dishwasher!
A word of advice… to avoid some of the traffic, I would advise coming in through Dublin via Riverside Drive, versus going all the way up to Sawmill Parkway. Traffic can be HORRID at the light at Sawmill and Powell.

This is THE best zoo I have ever been to, and I’ve been to a lot of zoos.
It is HUGE and has so many different animals. When I went, it was mid July and we saw nearly every animal out. It was nice to see the animals in real environment and not small habitats that you know they do not enjoy. The map was easy to read, and gives an easy path for you to see everything in one trip. Very clean and the staff seemed to be very nice.

Visited this past weekend with my two small children for the first time since I was a small child myself. My initial impression is: this zoo is enormous! The entrance with the huge parking lots is really quite intimidating compared to my local Cleveland and Akron zoos. We stayed for about 3 hours and didn’t see quite everything, but did have a wonderful visit.
Two things I especially loved: They serve beer! And the space is well utilized. In Cleveland, it can feel like you’re walking for a long time between exhibits, and in Columbus it feels like there is another animal around every bend.

We’re so lucky to have such an amazing zoo here in Columbus. The number of animals is incredible. And their environments (truly environments and not just enclosures) are fantastic.
The zoo also does a great job of providing additional information and enrichment activities for visitors. You could spend a whole day just going from one keeper talk/​demonstration to another. They have prominently posted the times for such activities to make it especially easy to do.
The staff and docents are always helpful and friendly as well. You can tell that they really enjoy spending time with visitors and sharing their knowledge and love for the animals.
The zoo itself is also huge, and provides plenty to keep you coming back for more. Indeed, it’s probably worth planning more than one visit because trying to fit everything in on just one trip could be exhausting!

What a great place! It’s fun to go with a group, your family or even just by yourself. Plenty of animals to see, especially during the warmer months. It’s a great way to spend an entire day. If you have a zoo membership, spending a couple hours becomes more affordable.
I particularly enjoy the zoo keeper talks. They are fun and quite informative. The animals are more active at those times as well due to either special treats or new toys to play with. Folks seem to walk by the animal exhibits quickly. I love to sit and stay awhile with the animals to observe and study their behaviors. They can offer some great photography moments.
Definitely a fun place to spend the day!

Love this zoo … especially the apes and gorillas. They have exhibits that allow you to get really close to the animals with a Plexiglas window. There was a lady there that visits every day and does sign language with the gorillas. The male gorillas liked children and woman but went nuts if a guy got close.

One of the nations BEST zoos! Gotta love how Jack Hanna will just randomly pop up at the zoo without warning. He’s such a nice guy btw.
Admission is decent considering all there is to see. $ 14.99 if you live in Franklin County and $ 17.99 for everyone else. Parking is $ 8, but free of course if you have a membership. Their memberships are well worth it (discounts on zoombezi bay day tickets and season passes, food and gift shop discounts, free parking, etc.).
I’d say it takes about 4 – 6 hours to see everything at the zoo on a busy day. I recommend getting their early (if it’s not too chilly) to get in line… or buy your tickets ahead of time at Kroger or online, it’s cheaper that way anyway. You can also buy your parking pass online to save even more time and hassle.
The Heart of Africa region is A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G! Giraffe feedings for an additional $ 3 every couple of hours every day, Cheetah runs, a new sit-​down and eat restaurant called Mapori (with a delicious menu). It’s awesome. The aquarium isn’t as big as say the Newport Aquarium, but it’s still nice and small children seem to really enjoy it. They also have a touch pool in there where you can feel the pretty starfish. I tend to overlook the North American region of the zoo because, well, I live in North America lol. Those are animals I can usually see anytime. My favorite regions are the Congo and Australian areas of the park. This year they’ve replaced the Dinosaur Island boat ride with a ride called Pirate Island. Pirate Island is honestly a tad bit… creepy. It’s just kind of weird, I’m not even sure how to explain it.
Food at the zoo is priced about the same as what you might what get at the Ohio State Fair (if you’re familiar with that). About $ 7 for a meal… without a drink. Also, there aren’t many gluten free or vegan options… actually there’s basically none. They allow coolers though, so don’t fret or feel like you’re being forced to eat what everyone else eats. Bring your own food, you’ll save money and you can bring all the vegan, earth-​friendly, gluten free goodies your heart desires.

We are very privileged to have such a wonderful zoo so close to us. We’re from Licking County (Johnstown) but I don’t mind the 45 minute drive at all because it’s totally worth it.
The zoo is clean, well staffed and friendly. They have a wonderful selection of healthy animals that always seem to be loved and treated well. The zoo has tons of conservation programs which is fantastic.
My kids love this zoo simply because of the playgrounds. We have a zoo pass and some days we come, see a handful of animals and just play of the playgrounds. They love the small polar bear play area.
The addition of the new Heart of Africa exhibit is great. It’s very open and easy flowing and filled with interactive exhibits. Kids can feed the giraffes several times throughout the day.
My favorite area is the aquarium and reptile buildings. Plus they are always cool on a hot day. :)
Parking is $ 8 (free for members) which is a bit steep but to be expected. You can buy a souvenir cup for $ 9 which you can get 0.93 refills all season long, we always buy one.
Zoo lights in the winter is a must see, even though you’ll freeze your butt off.
Get the «zoo-​it-​all» wristband for your kids. It’s $ 9.99 but allows unlimited rides. They have tons of then in Jungle Jack Landing, but it also includes the train and the special attractions. It’s like going to the fair at half the cost!

I love this zoo from the time I moved to Ohio and started coming here like a million times afterwards. It’s changed so much throughout the years. I love the new additions as well.
Parking is $ 8 for non-​members then you have the zoo entrance fee. So if you have children and think you would be coming here often, the membership is definitely worth it. I know once I start having children, I will be doing that because it’s not only conveniently located by my house but it’s something fun for a family to do together. Plus you have Zoombezi Bay next door that the kids can go to cool off.
I know the Columbus Zoo is ranked the best in the country better than New York or San Diego zoo’s. Plus you have Jungle Jack Hanna supporting our zoo, so it can’t get any better. I literally have friends from the Dayton/​Cincinnati area driving here because they know our zoo is better than the one over there. It’s that well known.
I loved the new Heart of Africa exhibit because as my husband said, «it’s not so enclosed.» You actually feel like you are out in a safari. Today we got to see the cheetah’s racing it was pretty cool seeing them run after a ball. I know I’m from the middle east and already been on a camel for free in the desert, but seeing them here too is also cool.
My husband has too much fun when it comes to the monkey exhibit. You may have got a glimpse of it in one of the photos he took today. But the last time he came with his parents they were definitely a little out of control, today they were a little more «tamed.»
Let’s talk about the bears we saw today. Holy moly, we ran into a good fight! These bears must have been brothers or something because there was a huge crowd of people just watching them wrestle each other. They were going all out on each other!
This is definitely my kind of a zoo! Full of family fun activities! Like the Hoofit, Pirate Island, shows, etc. The zoo is sure to keep everyone happy from family events to corporate events all the way to a wedding you can have the time of your life here!