Information
Landmark: Akron ZooCity: Akron
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Akron Zoo, Akron, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
Here’s a closer look at the Akron Zoo in Ohio, a 77-acre nonprofit park just west of downtown where you might hear a lion’s low rumble on a quiet afternoon.Founded in 1953, it’s become a major draw in the region, welcoming about 400,000 people each year-families, friends, and curious travelers strolling through its gates.More than 1,000 creatures roam the zoo, from bright-feathered parrots to sleek snow leopards, representing over 90 species from every corner of the globe.The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredits it, guaranteeing top-notch animal care, meaningful conservation work, and education that brings wildlife to life-like watching a lion stretch lazily in the afternoon sun.The Akron Zoo belongs to both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the American Public Gardens Association, standing alongside other members who care for wildlife and lush public gardens.The zoo’s exhibits are arranged into themed sections, each featuring a diverse mix of animals in carefully crafted habitats-like a lush rainforest enclosure alive with the calls of tropical birds.Legends of the Wild is the zoo’s biggest exhibit, home to Humboldt penguins splashing in cold water, lemurs leaping through branches, sleek jaguars, elusive snow leopards, and bursts of color from bright macaws.Step inside the exhibit and you’ll find habitats so true to life you can almost smell the damp forest floor.Number two.Komodo Kingdom is an indoor tropical haven where Komodo dragons prowl, Galápagos tortoises bask under warm light, and Chinese alligators glide through still, dark water.Visitors can step right up and see these rare reptiles, their scales catching the light as they move.Number three.Curious Creatures is a hands-on exhibit where you’ll meet animals and plants with strange adaptations-like a lizard that changes color in seconds or a flower shaped like a star.You’ll find naked mole rats, leaf-cutter ants, Venus flytraps with snapping green jaws, and plenty of other remarkable creatures that showcase nature’s rich diversity.Number four.Grizzly Ridge is a sprawling outdoor habitat where grizzly bears roam, bald eagles perch in the sun, and river otters splash alongside red wolves and coyotes.Spread across 4.2 acres, the habitat gives animals room to roam and things to explore, while visitors can enjoy lively, changing views-like catching sight of a tiger stretching in the sun.Five.Pride of Africa showcases the continent’s wildlife-majestic lions, swift Speke’s gazelles, and bright flashes of color from countless bird species.The habitat mirrors the wide, golden plains of the African savanna, letting visitors feel as if they’re standing under its hot sun.Number six.Wild Asia, recently expanded, is home to Sumatran tigers prowling through tall grass, red pandas curled in shady branches, and white-cheeked gibbons swinging with ease.This exhibit shines a spotlight on protecting endangered Asian animals and the forests, rivers, and grasslands they call home.Seven.Wild Prairie features wildlife from the North American grasslands, from pronghorns grazing in the tall grass to snowy owls with eyes like golden coins.Frontier Town offers a family-friendly play area where kids can explore animal-themed games, like hopping across painted paw prints.Eight.Zoo Gardens, a certified botanical haven with more than 7,000 native plants, invites you to wander past rippling fountains, shaded paths, and striking art like the “Bipolar Butterfly.” It blends lush horticulture with wildlife education, creating a quiet pocket of peace inside the zoo.At the Akron Zoo, you can hop on the Conservation Carousel-a hand-carved beauty with 33 animal figures, each one modeled after the zoo’s own residents.ScooterPals Fur-Wheelers™ are animal-themed electric scooters you can rent to zip around the zoo, their painted tiger stripes catching the sunlight as you roll past the exhibits.The Serengeti Cyclone is a one-of-a-kind wind machine that blasts air with the roar and force of a hurricane.Hop aboard the A&K Wilber Express or the Considine Express for a scenic loop around the zoo, where the whistle echoes and the wind smells faintly of fresh hay.Virtual Reality Undersea Explorer lets you slip on a headset and plunge into clear blue depths, swimming side by side with sleek, shadowy sharks.At the Akron Zoo, conservation isn’t just talk-they’re hands-on, protecting wildlife from Ohio’s forests to distant rainforests.It helps breed and restore endangered animals, working with species like red pandas, the rust-colored red wolves, and massive, scaly Komodo dragons.We’re teaming up with groups such as the Red Panda Network and the Red Wolf Coalition, working side by side to protect these rare creatures and the forests they call home.The zoo offers ZooCamp for kids ages 6 to 16, where they learn about animal biology, explore conservation, and get a glimpse of what it’s like to work behind the scenes with the animals.The zoo throws lively events like Boo at the Zoo and Wild Lights, drawing families in with bright displays and helping the community connect with wildlife conservation.You’ll find us at 500 Edgewood Avenue in Akron, OH 44307.From April 1 to September 30, we’re open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; October 1 through March 31, hours shift to 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets run $11–$21, and little ones under 2 - and zoo members - get in free.You don’t have to pay to park-just pull in and leave your car.Call (330) 375-2550.The Akron Zoo buzzes with energy, blending lively animal exhibits, blooming gardens, hands-on learning programs, and attractions where kids can press their noses to the glass in wonder.Because it’s dedicated to both conservation and connecting with the community, it’s a place where visitors of any age can enjoy themselves-whether they’re watching butterflies drift through the garden or lending a hand at a local project.
