Information
Landmark: Cleveland Metroparks ZooCity: Cleveland
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
In Cleveland, Ohio, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo sprawls across a wide expanse, a long-standing haven for wildlife and thick with leafy shade.Spanning 183 acres, it ranks among the region’s favorite spots, welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors each year-enough to fill its shaded paths with a steady hum of footsteps.The zoo, a branch of the sprawling Cleveland Metroparks, focuses on wildlife conservation and education while giving visitors of all ages the chance to stand a few feet from a roaring lion or watch playful otters splash in the water.Founded in 1882, the Cleveland Metroparks-run Zoo has grown into a vibrant, modern space devoted to conservation, research, and education, where you might hear the rustle of leaves as rare birds flit overhead.They aim to bring people closer to wildlife through unforgettable moments-like watching a red fox slip quietly through the grass-that spark conservation efforts and deepen our understanding of animals and the places they call home.In the African Savanna exhibit, broad stretches of golden grass recreate the look and feel of the real plains, where giraffes browse on tall leaves and zebras, antelope, and ostriches roam under the open sky.Visitors can watch these species roam freely through wide, natural-looking habitats, where the air smells faintly of pine.People love the special feeding sessions here, especially when they get to hand a crisp lettuce leaf to a giraffe.Step into Australian Adventure, where you’ll spot kangaroos bounding across red sand, wallabies resting in the shade, and koalas nestled in eucalyptus branches.You can try your hand at sheep shearing, feel the warm lanolin on your fingers, and explore hands‑on displays that bring Australian wildlife and culture to life.In Asian Highlands, you’ll find animals from Asia’s rugged mountain ranges-red pandas curled in the shade, snow leopards pacing softly, and sturdy takins grazing nearby.The habitat mirrors rugged ground, dotted with jagged stone ledges and thick, tangled greenery.The Northern Wilderness Trek showcases North American wildlife, with wolves pacing through pine-scented paths, bison grazing in open fields, elk roaming quietly, and river otters splashing in waters that mirror their natural homes.This trail teaches visitors about native species and how to protect their ecosystem, with signs pointing out plants you can smell or touch along the way.Inside the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, you’ll find lively monkeys swinging overhead, sleek tigers pacing behind glass, and bright fish gliding through shimmering tanks.You can get a close look at the animals, with displays that explain their biology, show how they behave, and note whether they’re at risk-right down to details like the texture of their fur.For just $32 a person, the Wild Savings Pass lets you hop on the Boomerang Train, spin on the Circle of Wildlife Carousel, catch a 4-D movie, and wander through Dino Cove-all with unlimited access to the zoo’s best attractions.At the zoo, you can tack on extra adventures like a ride on the Boomerang Train or the carousel-each just $4-or feed a giraffe a crisp green leaf for $3.There’s the 4-D Theater, Dino Cove, and bird feeding ($3 a stick), plus bigger thrills like the Eagle Zip Adventure at $9 or a swan paddle boat for $15 per boat, with room for five.Hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April through October, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to March.They shut the doors on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, when the place sits quiet and dark.The free Zoo Loop shuttle runs every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., carrying visitors between the main exhibits so you can hop on and off without the long walks.Tickets cost $20.50 for adults ages 12 to 61, $18.50 for seniors 62 and up, and $16.50 for kids 2 to 11-about the price of a couple of ice cream cones.Kids under two get in free-no ticket needed.If you live in Cuyahoga County or Hinckley Township, you can drop by for free on Mondays-just not on big holidays like the Fourth of July.You can park for free right on-site, so driving to the Zoo is a breeze-just pull in and you’re steps from the entrance.You can catch a bus to the Zoo from downtown Cleveland or nearby neighborhoods, with several routes running daily past the big stone gates.At the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, conservation isn’t just a word-it’s action, from protecting rare orchids in Ohio to supporting wildlife projects around the world.It joins breeding programs to help endangered species, and it spreads the word about habitat preservation and biodiversity-sometimes with vivid photos of wild forests and rivers.The zoo runs hands-on programs for schools, families, and the community-everything from summer camps and lively workshops to close-up moments with curious animals-each aimed at sparking a love for wildlife and science.The zoo is planning one of its boldest projects yet-turning The RainForest exhibit into Primate Forest, a sprawling 140,000‑square‑foot home where gorillas and orangutans will roam beneath towering trees.Set to open in 2026, this cutting-edge facility will feature lush habitats that echo tropical forests, with cool mist drifting over waterfalls, climbing structures tucked among the greenery, and spaces designed to feel truly alive.The Primate Forest works to boost animal welfare and draw visitors in, all while keeping primate conservation front and center-like watching a capuchin leap through the trees.In Northeast Ohio, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo stands as a lively hub of culture and learning, where kids press their noses to the glass to watch tigers prowl.You’ll find a mix of up-close wildlife encounters, hands-on lessons in conservation, and playful spots for kids, making it a place locals and visitors don’t want to miss.
