The Toledo Zoo: A Great Getaway for Metro Detroiters

Living near the city of Detroit, you would think that if I was going to head to a zoo I would head to The Detroit Zoo. After all, it's only about 30 to 40 minutes away. However, The Detroit Zoo is old and shows it. It is large but poorly designed, requiring an inordinate amount of walking to see a disappointingly small number of animals. It also smells really bad. I know that zoos are essentially barns for unique animals, but the scents at The Detroit Zoo seem to assault you the moment you enter and not let go until you leave. So you would think zoos for the metro Detroiter would mean either a long, long drive or putting up with a less-than-pleasant zoo. Fortunately, this is not the case. An only slightly longer drive of about an hour will land you at a zoo that is truly a joy to visit. I'm talking about The Toledo Zoo. Toledo, Ohio is the first major city in Ohio that you hit when driving down I-75 south from Michigan. Toledo has many attractions that merit a visit, but I think that the zoo is the best. It is well-maintained, has an awesome aquarium, and is a genuinely peaceful place to visit.

Let me begin with the aquarium, which is probably my favorite part of the zoo. The species of aquatic life are both rare and varied, and span the size spectrum from the tiny to the enormous. Crabs, jellyfish, electric eels(inside a tank that shows how much electricity they are generating), and even fish that glow in the dark can be found inside this well-stocked and exciting aquarium.

Aside from the aquarium, there is an African section of the zoo that showcases rare African wild dogs, unique African birds, zebras, and other African wildlife. The zoo has a train that rides around the section, providing a chance to see these remarkable creatures without walking all over the place.

Also at the zoo, you will find gorillas(which often come face to face with you behind the glass viewing wall), penguins, polar bears, and most standard zoo animals. The zoo has excellent dining options, a wealth of souvenir stands and stores, and even some botanical gardens.

The buildings and walkways of the zoo are all beautiful and would make for a pleasant walk even if they didn't house animals. The staff is friendly and informative, fielding any questions you might have about the animals or zoo in general, and the zoo has always been very clean every time I have visited.

So if you live in the metro Detroit area, don't think that The Detroit Zoo is your only option. A short drive to Toledo will provide you with a great day of fun and relaxation at The Toledo Zoo.