About ten miles from Mariemont Inn is the second-oldest zoo in the United States. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens are one of the most popular attractions for locals and visitors alike. The zoo features a wide range of activities and animals and is the perfect place to spend the day with kids.
The Cincinnati Zoo does impressive work with endangered species like black rhinos. The zoo’s innovative birthing programs are also widely known. There are more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species in the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which means that it has the largest zoo collection in the United States.
Since the animals in the zoo are typically most active in the mornings, we recommend that you visit the zoo early in the day to get the most value from your visit. Even though the zoo is relatively small, it has a practical layout to accommodate the abundance of animals, plants, and exhibits.
More than 1.5 million people visit the zoo per year, so you can expect to wait in long lines to purchase tickets. To save time, you can buy your tickets online. While you’re at it, print out a map of the zoo at home and do some planning beforehand.
Unlike most zoos in the country, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens allow you to bring in your coolers. By taking your own food and drinks, you will be able to save some money. Getting to the zoo is easy; you will find it north of downtown Cincinnati on Vine Street. The Cincinnati Zoo also hosts The Festival of Lights, which runs from mid-November to January 1st. This fabulous light display features three million LED lights, animal lanterns, visits from Santa Claus, and much more!