Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

If you live in or are visiting the state of Ohio during summer months, visiting a zoo would be an excellent activity for any age. Ohio has several great zoos, including the Toledo Zoo, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. My personal favorite is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The zoo features six exhibits over approximately 165 acres. Northern Trek is home to tigers, bears, wolves, and plenty of fish. To see koalas, wallabies, and a tree koala, head to the Australian Adventure. In the Rain Forest, signs lead you to the upper floor Asian primates via stairs, elevator, and tree (yes, tree!) Gorillas, lemurs, and snow leopards live in the Primate, Cat and Aquatics exhibit. On the African Savanna you can find elephants, zebras, lions and giraffes. The final exhibit to mention is Waterfowl Lake, which, as the name suggests, is a lake that is home to many birds.

If all that walking makes you hungry, it should be known that coolers and picnic baskets are allowed in the zoo. If that's not possible, food and beverages are also provided throughout. At one place, the Treetops Cafe, one can choose from McDonald's or Pizza Hut. If the weather is nice enough to eat outside you can have a front row viewing of the lions. Where else can you watch animals while feasting on pizza and burgers? Lids for the beverages and straws are not allowed, for the safety of the animals.

Speaking of food, there are many signs up around the exhibits asking that the animals not be fed. Most of the signs mention that the animals are on special diets. It would be a good idea to mention this to children who are used to a petting zoo where food can be bought and fed to the animals. It's easy to see that the animals aren't underfed. While I was there monkeys could be seen rolling a barrel to get peanuts out! That's probably a part of the zoo's enrichment process, which they also have signs up about. The zoo attempts to encourage natural behaviors that the animals would exhibit in the wild, and also keep them from getting bored.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open year-round, with the exception of January 1 and December 25. Free parking is offered. The zoo hours are 10 AM - 5 PM. Apr. 1, 2007 - Oct. 31, 2007 admission is $10 for adults (twelve and older). Nov. 1, 2007 - Mar. 31, 2008 adults pay $7. Children (2-11) are always $5 and children under the age of two get in for free.