Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

I'm a big fan of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It's a local treasure for Cincinnati and is one of the best zoos in the country (this isn't just my opinion but the Zagat Survey actually rated it as one of the top zoos in the country too). I've lost track of how many times our family has visited the zoo but every time we go we see something we haven't seen before. Recently they've done a major overhaul and have moved the front entrance to a brand new location off of Vine Street and they have really spruced it up. The Historic Vine Street Village has a new gift shop, new stroller rental area, new restroom facilities, new customer service building with ticketing booths, and a new open outdoor seating area. The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the only places that will let you bring in your own picnic and coolers and the new seating area is a great place to enjoy your lunch. Of course, if you are a Cincinnati Zoo member then you can get 25% off any food purchases throughout the Zoo.

Lucky for us, my parents have bought the Gold Level Family Membership for the past two years and this allows my children unlimited visits to the zoo with them as well as unlimited visits for me if I accompany my parents. It has worked out great plus their membership allows us to have unlimited train rides, carousel rides, shuttle rides and more. With the holidays fast approaching, giving the gift of a zoo membership is really the gift that keeps on giving so think about putting that on your holiday wish list.

The Cincinnati's Zoo's animal exhibits are outstanding. If you've never been to the zoo, below are some of our favorite exhibits. You can also find a listing of self-guided tours on the Zoo's website. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller or wagon for the little ones - the zoo has lots of hills.

Gorilla World - the Gorillas are my all time favorite animal to see when we visit. There's just something about seeing them socializing, playing and eating with their family that is really a site. I love their large outdoor exhibit space complete with ropes to play with, large rocks to lean on, and caves to hide in.

Giraffe Ridge - the Zoo invested a lot of time, talent and money to update their Giraffe exhibit and now the Giraffes really have some top notch accommodations at Giraffe Ridge. During the warmer months, you can see them outside in their large enclosure and you may even have them nibbling crackers out of the palm of your hands. The Elephant Reserve and the Discovery Forest & Education Center are close to the Giraffe Ridge so make sure you stop by those as well.

Manatee Springs - When you enter the darkened Manatee Springs, you feel a sense of calm as you see these amazing creatures joyfully swimming around. If you time it right, you may even get to see them munching on some lettuce.

Jungle Trails - Fun, fun, fun. The kids love walking through the mysterious trails and are excited when they see an Orangutan or other monkey swinging about.

The Children's Zoo - My kids always want to make a bee line here. They can visit the nursery and see some of the zoo babies as well as play on the large spider web, climb on a camel's back or get inside a turtle's shell. Even though I wish the Zoo would update this area a bit with a new playground, the kids don't miss a beat and they thoroughly enjoy themselves each time we stop by. Be sure to check out the times for the Frisch's Discovery Program and you might be able to see an animal up close and personal.

There are many more wonderful exhibits and programs going on at the Cincinnati Zoo. When we visited last week, we tried out the 4-D Special FX Theater (only $4 for Zoo members and $6/non-members). Note to self, take the recommendation of the attendant on the appropriate age level for this fun movie experience. I had my six year old with me and we were excited to see the Dinosaur show, Dino Island II, "Escape from Dino Island". The recommended age was for seven years and up and I should have listened. The special effects were very cool - you actually feel getting poked in the back, misting rain lightly showers you, your seats rumble and move, and the screen comes to life. Hearing the dinosaurs roar, and I mean roar, may have put my daughter over the edge. She and Grandpa had to exit the show early since her pleas of "I want to leave, I'm scared" may have been a bit distracting to the other patrons. Yes, I should have listened to the attendant. The Zoo was gracious enough to give Grandpa a refund on the ticket purchases, which is an indication of great customer service. The show was quick (10-15 minutes) and I think some of the best special effects happened during the opening credits, so once you get those 3D glasses on, sit back and enjoy. For the current listing of shows click here.

The zoo also offers many wonderful programs for the community. There are children's programs, Scout programs, adult programs, family programs and more. You can even plan your child's next birthday party at the Zoo - how cool is that? The educational opportunities are endless and since the zoo has something to offer for everyone, it is one of my top recommendations for things to do in Greater Cincinnati. If you'd like other family-friendly recommendations visit MasonMetu, Greater Cincinnati's one-stop site for family fun!

P.S. - Don't forget your cameras - the Cincinnati Zoo has some of the most beautiful flowers and gardens around.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

3400 Vine Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45220