Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
add photosCleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to the largest collection of primate species in North America among its 3000 animals representing more than 600 species. And, the Zoo is a botanical garden, demonstrating the relationship between plants, animals and humans. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and participates in 58 Species Survival Plans.
The RainForest showcases more than 6,000 plants and over 600 animals from the jungles of Asia, Africa and the Americas. This unique two-acre, two-level exhibit is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The RainForest's naturalistic settings include a 25-foot waterfall, a research hut, the Discovery Center, a tropical rainstorm exhibit with thunder and lightning effects, a weather station and other interactive exhibits.
13 Reviews for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
5
41 family found this helpful
"Fun "
The Cleveland Zoo is a family favorite of my three children, ages 9,7, and 3. We really enjoyed the new Elephant Crossing exhibit. My three year old was thrilled with the train ride through the Outback exhibit. All three kids loved the Rainforest at then end of the visit. There were more food offerings(including Quizno and McDonalds) but I still prefer to pack a lunch. We found a nice quiet shelter in the outback exhibit past the Camel rides that had ceiling fans, a great find on a hot day!
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1 family found this helpful
"nice zoo but I've seen better"
We were in Cleveland for a conference and decided to take in some fun activities during our free time. We love going to zoo's so that was at the top of our list. We were kind of disappointed. We did enjoy the uniqueness of the rain forest exhibit but other than that we didn't think the zoo was that impressive on the whole. One of the biggest letdowns are that some animals are in very confined spaces. I usually don't think much about that when visiting a zoo but this just stood out. For the price and experience, I'd visit the Columbus Zoo rather than waste my time and money at the Cleveland zoo. It's not the worst place ever, but just don't have high expectations.
0 families found this helpful
"Very Nice Facility"
I take my cousins and my family to the cleveland metroparks zoo every year, and sometimes a few times a year. They have a beautiful rain forest and lots of stuff for the kids to do. They also offer free admission on mondays for people who live in that county. This past year they added a new exhibit called dinosaurs. In october you can visit the zoo for their halloween exhibit zoo at the boo. The kids really love this and they can trick or treat throughout the zoo and the admission price is still the same.
0 families found this helpful
"One of the top 3 Zoos In Ohio"
The Cleveland Zoo is an amazing zoo located on the west side of Cleveland. There are many bathrooms, with changing stations. The food court has a Mcdonalds, but there aren't as many food choices as other Zoo's in America. If you are taking a large group (say 4 or more) I would pack a cooler.
The rain forest is the best part of the zoo. I want to mention that strollers are kind of difficult in the beginning, but there are alternate routes to get to the second floor. If two adults are available, one should go up the steps in the tree with the kids, while one takes strollers up the elevators.
All in all .. I think you should go here.
0 families found this helpful
"if you are going too a zoo go to Columbus"
The Cleveland Zoo has some really outstanding aspects. The Australian Adventure with the free roaming kangaroos makes us keep going back. The train ride and camel rides are an extra charge and not worth the price. If you are going to do a zoo and want to do the best go to the Columbus zoo. It's absolutely amazing and totally worth the two hour drive from Cleveland!
1 family found this helpful
"Fun day's activity"
A fun zoo, a little on the expensive side. Our favorite part is the rain forest area, and this past year, there were dinosaurs set up throughout the zoo, which was fun for our children. Not the largest zoo, but there is plenty of walking, and some of it hilly, so be prepared. The train is a nice break from the walking and fun activity for the kids.
1 family found this helpful
"Enough to see over several days"
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers enough to see over several days. One of the nice features is a tram that takes you from one end of the zoo to the other. You can take your stroller on it, too. Separate admission is charged for the Rain Forest, which is well worth it. Kids will like climbing the tree house exhibit there. The orangatang exhibit is really fun, too. The Australian Adventure has a lot for kids. They can ride a camel or visit a petting zoo. There is a small train in the Australian Adventure that younger kids will enjoy. Also in this area, you can feed the Larakeet birds. This scared my three-year-old because several landed on him and one pecked his head! This area also features a tree house with a long slide and some other attractions. Kids will want to spend a 1/2 hour or so here. If you need to cool off, head to the acquarium. New in 2011 will be an elephant exhibit.
0 families found this helpful
"Pleasant Surprise..."
The Cleveland Zoo is the type of metro zoo which is juxtaposed strangely into the neighborhoods of a major city. It is however, easy to get to and fun for all ages.
As you travel around Ohio, each individual zoo gets known for it's own little quirks, by far my favorite thing about the Cleveland Zoo was the koalas...so sweet and literally arms length from your bare hand!
As far as crowds go, it seems to be one of the less crowded feeling zoos I have been to and that is even on some very hot, sticky, Ohio summer days!
0 families found this helpful
"Cleveland Zoo"
We LOVED this zoo! There were so many different and fun exhibits to see. We have a 1 year old who loved looking at all the animals and especially the petting zoo! We didn't get a chance to check out the rainforest part but have heard great things about that too. Really liked that it was down in a valley, made for a cool view/experience!
1 family found this helpful
"Zoo and Rainforest"
The Cleveland Zoo is a great place for kids to learn and have fun. They have plenty of hands-on experiences with animals as well as a great aquarium and a Rainforest with an exceptional amount of reptiles.
The kids love the playground are and the treehouse with slide as well.
1 family found this helpful
"A longtime favorite"
My three kids love the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We've had a membership for many years, so we like to go and just see a few sections at a time. They really like the Australian Outback section with the kangaroos, petting zoo, slide, and train ride. The only drawback to the zoo is that there is a LOT of walking - it is far between attractions and very hilly, so be prepared to go up and down with your stroller or wagon.
0 families found this helpful
"2009"
My son loves the cleveland zoo and it's affordable. Not as spectacular as a lot of zoos around, but always nice for us :-) You can always get discounted tickets through Drugmart. Walking there takes a toll on the older people, so make sure you are prepared!
'10
1 family found this helpful
"Larger animals, poor shows"
Skip the shows at this older Zoo, they really aren't worth the wait. The train is a great way to spare tired feet at the end of the day as this Zoo is a lot of walking, some of it very steep and overly taxing. Many large animal displays allow the animals a better quality of life, but the youngest visitors will find it hard to locate them visually. Stop at for Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream just outside of the Butterfly House - best part of our day! The RainForest is an enclosed habitat and can be visited separately from the zoo - much better for those in strollers. [Otters!!] Those with glasses will have a hard time for a few moments after entering.
Visit Akron Zoo if your children are not in school yet.
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