Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
4.6(31K)google
4.4(777)yelp
FamilyNatureWildlife
Overview
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. It is located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It originally began with 64.5 acres (26.1 ha) in the middle of the city, but has spread into the neighboring blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati's outer suburbs.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration4-6 hours
Best TimeSpring from April to May brings spectacular botanical blooms, while December evenings feature the legendary 'PNC Festival of Lights'. Booking a 9:00 AM opening ticket is highly advised; head straight to the Africa habitat to watch the world-famous celebrity hippo 'Fiona' swimming during her energetic morning routine before the heavy midday crowds form.
Getting ThereSituated centrally at 3400 Vine St in Cincinnati. Access by car is highly simple: ride Interstate 75 or Interstate 71 to the Martin Luther King Dr exit, travel west, and turn north onto Vine St. The urban zoo complex provides several massive, interconnected paid multi-story parking structures with safe pedestrian skyway bridge links straight to the ticket gates.
Travel Tips
- The main zoo lot at 3427 Vine Street fills rapidly. Utilize alternative transit via Metro routes 1, 38x, 46, 78 or Red Bike shares during peak holidays.
- The ticket platform deploys a strict dynamic pricing model. Secure online early-bird weekday admissions via the website to guarantee the lowest available rates.
- Weekday slots in September feature unique promotional discounts, while specific regional residents can unlock discounted gate admission on designated August dates.
Reviews
Positive
- As one of the oldest zoos in the US, the hippo family (especially the celebrity Fiona) is an unmissable and deeply heartwarming highlight!
- The zoo blends seamlessly with botanical gardens; the lush shading and seasonally curated floral displays make strolling here a visual delight.
- The density of restrooms, resting benches, and trash bins is very high and well-maintained, providing a comfortable experience for families with kids.
- Their conservation and education programs are outstanding, and the live zookeeper chats are engaging and highly informative about wildlife.
Heads up
- The zoo is built on a hillside with significant elevation changes; walking the whole park requires immense stamina and is tough on seniors and toddlers.
- The official parking fee is on the higher side, and the lots fill up incredibly fast on weekend or holiday mornings, forcing you to hunt for street parking.
- Some older animal habitats (like certain primate and bird enclosures) feel a bit cramped and are in need of modern remodeling compared to newer areas.
- Queue management for popular items like giraffe feeding or the train ride gets messy during peak hours, often resulting in long waits under the blazing sun.