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4.5
2,884 votes

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 USA

$$
Reasonable
Closed Now
Opens Tue 10a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
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Local Favorite

Our Take

Preemie hippos aside, the Cincinnati Zoo is the second-oldest in the country and is consistently voted one of America's best. Creatures from every corner of the animal kingdom are cared for here and serve to educate the public. The polar bears and manatees are personal favorites that shouldn't be missed.

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“The second oldest zoo in the US”

The Zoological Society of Cincinnati was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden the second oldest Zoo in the United States. The Zoo’s original animal collection was very small, originally consisting of just eight monkeys, two grizzly bears, three deer, six raccoons, two elk, a buffalo, a hyena, a tiger, an alligator, a circus elephant, and over four hundred birds, including a talking crow. The Zoo was founded on 65 acres in the middle of the city, and since then has acquired some of the surrounding blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati’s suburbs. Today you can feed giraffes, see gorillas, watch manatees, and more! The Zoo was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987 due to its significant architecture featured in the Elephant House, the Reptile House, and the Passenger Pigeon Memorial. The Zoo’s Reptile House is the oldest existing Zoo building in the country, dating from 1875. The Zoo has long been successful at captive breeding, starting with trumpeter swans and sea lions back in the 1880s. The Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) was founded in 1986 to strengthen the tradition. The research conducted here has made the Cincinnati Zoo an international leader in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants around the world.

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Reviewed by
Joshua Smibert

  • 127 Reviews
  • 206 Helpful
August 31, 2014
Rated 5.0

A great zoo with an incredible history. Definite highlights for us were the insect house and the reptile building which is one of the oldest zoo buildings in the country. The zoo has been cleverly laid out so that you don't feel like it's crowded - even when it's at capacity. A solid selection of animals and a lot of fun. Remember to bring water since it's expensive on site.

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
kate.lauck

  • 1 Review
  • 3 Helpful
October 01, 2014
Rated

Amazing bird show & best pretzels in town. The daily giraffe feedings are a must as well as checking out the TWO new baby gorillas. The manatees, jungle trails and cat canyon are a must as well. Don't forget to pet the tortoises and goats. Search for the wallabies as a special treat! The other rare find we never saw till last week - an armored rhino. It looked like a freaking dinosaur. Completely off the beaten path and AMAZING!

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
David Stacy

  • 134 Reviews
  • 100 Helpful
August 29, 2014
Rated 4.0

Good zoo, lots of history here, but have to say check the weather. Cincinnati is famous for hot muggy days, and this zoo has hills and lots of walking. May take some punch out of the experience, so plan accordingly.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Caitlin Prior

  • Expert
  • 91 Reviews
  • 89 Helpful
August 29, 2014
Rated 4.0

A really nice zoo. They seem to give their animals plenty of room and privacy spaces. Really pretty and gets busy on the weekends with family. You have to pay for parking but it's pretty cheap entry fees seem reasonable as well.
Even though they creep me out a little, I found the insect/bug house to be fascinating. It was set up really well and had loads of critters I had never heard of.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Evans

  • 3 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
August 22, 2014
Rated 4.0

THE most beautiful Zoo in Ohio…….Kinda strange lineup of animals tho…White Tigers…really? Don't get me started on the Elephant, you'll know what I mean when you see her.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Nick Philpott

  • Road Warrior
  • 160 Reviews
  • 138 Helpful
July 23, 2014
Rated 5.0

Cullen is not wrong.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
eric.ziegler.75

  • 29 Reviews
  • 44 Helpful
July 02, 2014
Rated 5.0

I've only ever been to the zoo for the PNC Light Festival during the holiday season. After going a couple of times, my wife and I have vowed to go ever year! The event usually runs from Thanksgiving until the new year. You can't see very outdoor animals during the festival, so I wouldn't recommend going during this time if you're looking to see the animals.

1 person found this review helpful
  • Tour Guide
  • 172 Reviews
  • 215 Helpful
February 13, 2014
Rated

This was also the home to the last ever Passenger Pigeon named Martha. See died in captivity there in 1914. September 1st marks the 100th anniversary.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Mitch Oliver

  • 221 Reviews
  • 103 Helpful
September 17, 2013
Rated 5.0

My kids love going to the zoo. We get passes every year and spend at least one Saturday morning a month walking around. If you are local, the Gold pass is a great buy. If stopping through, be sure to check out the Manatee exhibit.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Brandon Hite

  • Expert
  • 155 Reviews
  • 118 Helpful
August 13, 2012
Rated

Love going here during the summer when the animals out, and the Festival of Lights is also pretty cool around Christmas.

1 person found this review helpful

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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St
Cincinnati, Ohio
45220 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Pets Allowed
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