The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 'Must See' in Northeastern Ohio

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a must see attraction when visiting northeastern Ohio. The zoo opened its gates in 1882 at Wade Park. It moved to its current location in 1907 and now encompasses one hundred sixty-five acres of natural habitat for animals from around the world. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is located at 3900 Wildlife Way in Cleveland Ohio. The zoo accepts visitors year-round except on Christmas and New Year's Days.

The Cleveland Zoo is a large zoo that may take more than a day to experience, especially if you have small children. They sell year-long family season passes that are economical if you live in the area. These passes make it easy to take the kids for just a few hours at a time. When we go to the zoo we normally spend two to three hours at a time. We alternate regions of the zoo so that each trip is unique and enjoyable for both the kids and the adults.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is broken into five geological regions. These regions include animals from the rainforest, Australia, and Africa. The Northern Trek section of the zoo features cold-weather animals. The final section of the Cleveland Zoo is aptly named primates, cats, and aquatics.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo RainForest

The RainForest is a separate building that was built in 1992. It consists of two floors. Both floors of the RainForest are representative of the levels in which the animals live. The lower level of the building is the ground floor of the rainforest where the anteaters, leopards, crocodiles, fish, and turtles live. There is a simulated rain storm on the ground floor of the RainForest.

The second floor of the RainForest is home to the middle rainforest and upper tree dwellers in the actual rainforest. Here you will find anacondas, pythons, orangutans, birds, and bats. The RainForest has a twenty-five foot waterfall at its entrance and a two-story tree so the monkeys and orangutans feel at home.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo African Savanna

The African Savanna is located just to the right from the entrance of the zoo. Here you will find lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, rhinoceros, and flamingos. Also located in the African Savanna is the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine. The center provides medical care for the zoo's 3,000 animals. Visitors can tour the Center for Zoological Medicine and children can become veterinarians for a day.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Northern Trek

The Northern Trek is located towards the rear of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This area is home to polar bears, wolves, tigers, reindeer, and seals. A feature at the Northern Trek is seal and sea lion feeding. They are noisy animals who will sing or swim for a fish.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Australian Adventure

The Australian Adventure features animals from down under. You can see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and native sheep and goats. This area contains a train ride and a walkabout. The Wallaby Walkabout takes you through a traditional Australian farm. The kids will love the giant snake slide located in the center of the walkabout.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Primates, Cats, and Aquatics

The Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building is located on top of steep hill. It is a hike to get there but it is well worth the effort. The Cleveland Zoo has a tram to take passengers to the building and surrounding habitats.

Outside the Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building you can view cheetahs, tortoises, and two, very large male gorillas. The building is home to fossa, snow leopards, multiple breeds of monkeys, piranhas and fish, sharks, and lemurs.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Special Attractions

In the center of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo you will find Waterfowl Lake. Around the lake the zoo features some of its more interactive attractions. Touch is a zoo program that lets visitors reach into a pool and touch stingrays and sharks. The stingrays swim in giant circles around the perimeter of the pool. Visitors can reach their hands in, palms up, and let the stingrays glide over their palms. Small children need a little assistance to stabilize themselves on the wide wall.

Dinosaurs is another attraction that features robotic dinosaurs that eat, sit on nests, and protect their young. Dinosaurs was first introduced to the zoo in 2007. There is an additional $1 fee for both Touch and Dinosaurs. Zoo members receive free admission to these attractions.

The Cleveland Zoo's Amphitheater features Professor Wylde's Animal Show. This is a live animal show that will entertain both kids and adults. Professor Wylde's cast includes a white stork, a cockatoo, a two-toed sloth, a vulture, a python, and a macaw to name a few. Beware, when the professor asks for volunteers, it is to help him with a very large and slithery animal.

This is just a brief overview of what you can expect when you visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It is difficult to see and do everything that is offered in just one day. Your admission ticket can be tax deductible since it is a donation to the Cleveland Zoological Society.

You can visit the website for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to get hours, directions, and ticket prices. The zoo offers group rates and special summer programs and children's camps. You can take a virtual tour to help you plan your visit. The website also updates any exhibit construction or closings.

Sources:

My multiple zoo trips

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo