Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Positive experience: There was a lot of construction at the zoo. Most of the trails/ walkways were blocked and we had to back track on every one. It seemed that at least half of the exhibits were closed. It was a waste of our money and time. I have alwaysheardd great things about this Zoo. , it looks great from the outside, but not much going on inside

Fantastic experience: We came up here to visit from Chicago , what a zoo this is compared to Brookfield Zoo ! You can make a 2 or 3 day trip here , they also have a Waterpark ! They Have Elephants and a Red Panda ! Awesome! My Family loved it! And of course it's clean!

Fantastic experience: This zoo is really cool. It has so much to see and you can tell that the animals are really loved. All of the animals have so much space. Everything was very clean and there were lots of places to stop for the bathroom. We even got snacks and while they're a bit on the expensive side it was not crazy for being an amusement area. Definitely put your walking shoes on though because this place is huge and you can spend the entire day plus walking around the only downside is probably that there are some things that cost a little bit more which are to be expected at the zoo so make sure you have a little bit of extra money and have fun

Negative experience: The zoo experience was fine and the staff within the zoo was very informative. No problems there. The water park experience a different story the water park was so over crowded and instead of stopping people from coming in they charged regular price for the water park tickets. When online it clearly states after 4pm tickets are $19.99. They the zoo management took advantage of people because they knew they were over capacity shame on you Columbus zoo.

Fantastic experience: Such a great place with so many animals, rides and play areas that you're guaranteed to find something you'll enjoy. A few things to know ahead of time, tennis shoes over flip flops, the entire place is cashless, they do offer a prepaid card you can add cash too bring water and snacks will help make your trip more enjoyable!

Fantastic experience: This place is big and pretty they’re building a new space as well the aquarium is good. Some of the animals like the sloth bear are sad and alone but all of them look fine and well taken care of. We loved the elephants and gorillas.

Fantastic experience: don’t skip on petting the rays in adventure cove. they’re so cute and love it!

Positive experience: I would give it more stars if I could have experienced the whole zoo, but an entire section of the zoo was closed down, even the gift shop was closed. Did a lot of walking only for most of the animals to be hiding or in an area that you could just barely see them. It was a lot different then I had expected, been to the Baltimore zoo and Washington zoo and Baltimore aquarium, so I guess I just expected something different. Might try to go back once the whole zoo is open, if I do I will update this review. But over all, good place for children, but it just felt unorganized and layout is kind of confusing without paying for a map that every other zoo gives out for free.

Positive experience: Behold—The gentrification of the former fun, preppy, colorful zoo gift shop sign into the “new” minimalistic, monochromatic, emotionless flat design of the Zoo Marketplace. It’s a sad day for us all. Oh, cool place with well-intentioned conservation efforts, unfortunately in the hands of greedy businessmen who embezzle funds and illegally trade tigers from time to time I do like this zoo and am a member but if you want to see some cool animals and spend some time with your family outdoors for FREE… you should check out local nature preserves and metro parks in the area. Lots of cool wildlife to be seen!!!

Fantastic experience: Visited this Zoo a couple of weeks ago and loved it. We were visiting from out of state and chose this zoo specifically to see the kiwi bird. We had checked a few times to see the kiwi but he was hiding and not visible. We asked a nearby employee about the kiwi and when we might be able to see it. He wasn’t sure at first but he was so kind to go and ask one of the animal caretakers and let us know what time the kiwi gets fed. We came back around that time and the kiwi was there! It was a great experience and all of the other animals were great too.

Fantastic experience: Went there for the first time. There were a couple of exhibits closed due to renovation, but overall it was an enjoyable experience. However, a word of caution. They do not accept cash. You can use credit/debit, or you can convert your cash at a kiosk for a prepaid card. I would also advise wearing good shoes, you will be walking a lot!

Fantastic experience: Very nice, well-organized zoo, friendly staff. One of the e-scooters we rented had battery problems, but a replacement was provided without any problems.

Fantastic experience: There is no question as to why the Columbus Zoo is ranked as one of the top zoos in the country! The Columbus Zoo is the vision of Jack Hannah and is a delight for all ages. I moved out of state about five years ago, but it had been closer to twenty since I had been to the zoo. The thoughtful planning of each area and obvious concern for the animal/bird/ reptile/ sea-going creature is nothing short of amazing. I honestly don't want to spoil the experience, so what I will say is this: be prepared to spend five or six hours at the zoo. Wear comfortable walking shoes as your journey will cover many miles. Pack a picnic lunch and pull a wagon if you want to economize your visit: there are multiple areas designed for just such a purpose. If walking is even slightly tiring for you, take a cane. You can rent a wheelchair (or take your own), or opt for a riding scooter that is unlike anything you have ever seen before, as it masquerades as one of the zoo's animals (I was tempted, just for the uniqueness of it)! Whatever you do, put the Columbus Zoo on your Bucket List or list of family trips. Coming from in-state or out-of-state, this is a trip worth making. (For you picky zoo-go-ers, you will not find the zoo unpleasant in smell or untidiness in any way. Probably as a result of Covid-19, there are outdoor handwashing stations everywhere you look, and I was amazed at the number of younger zoo volunteers who were en-masse, keeping the walkways free of trash from thoughtless visitors or kindly answering questions. Most exhibits also have incredibly knowledgeable volunteers who explain the animal behaviors and habitats you are privileged to visit. Journey through North America, Africa, Asia, and countless other incredible areas - the Columus Zoo is a destination you will want to visit more than once!)

Negative experience: went to the zoo Thursday June 12, 2025. I was babysitting my two grand-children, my 3 year old grand- daughter and my grand-son who is a little over a year old, while my son and his wife were away. My oldest daughter went and brought her daughter, my other grand-daughter who is 4 years old. I have never been to Columbus Zoo, my very first time! It was about 80 degrees. We stopped by this area that had three Dolphins, they spit water out the top to get the little kids wet! It’s a small area so we could see the kids plainly. We decided to sit on the right hand side of the area in the blue chairs, my grandson, Walked catty corner away from us. It wasn’t very far to some sort of toy. All I know is that it had a steel plate around it. My daughter and I heard him screaming, I ran over to him and noticed that his hand and wrist was very red so I knew that it burnt him. He cried very hard. He eventually laid in the stroller and went to sleep. The zoo was closing. I seen workers leaving. They were closing, It was after 6 o’clock, both of my granddaughters had to use the bathroom before leaving we stopped at a bathroom on our way out. I took my granddaughters into the bathroom. My grandson was still asleep in the stroller, and my daughter was standing with him. My granddaughters, and I came out of the bathroom to my daughter, holding my grandson and showing me where he had actually got burnt. It was bubbled up! We finally made our way through the part where the security guard was again this is my first time being at Columbus zoo so I have no knowledge or no information of anything about the zoo. I thought about telling the security guard of what happened to my grandson, but he was just standing there making sure everybody went out so I thought I want to speak to a manager so I will just call tomorrow. As we were leaving the zoo, I was trying to contact urgent care or places in towns that I did not know to take my grandson to every place was closing, so I had my youngest daughter back home. I sent her pictures and ask her to go to the pharmacy and ask them what we could do about this until we was able to get him to the doctor. I called the zoo the very next day and explained to them what had happened, I told the lady it was 80° and this thing burnt him. I said to her I don’t know if you’re open if it’s 100° or hotter out but if you are, this would peel the skin off of one of these children or maybe even an adult! She told me no it was actually 90 some degrees and yes, we are open every day except Christmas! She asked me if I stopped by I guess someplace if you get hurt or need assistance, I told her I didn’t know of any place like that. That was my first time being there, but I ask her. What time do they close? She told me they close at six! I told her it was after 6 o’clock when we made it through the security guard, I talked to a manager the next day, told me the waterpark that’s across the way from the zoo is part of them which I had no idea and that I could’ve taken him there and had him looked at again my first time being there, I had no idea, She said she would get a hold of the manager as soon as we got off the phone and someone would get back in touch with me. It is now, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. I still have heard nothing from the manager. No one has even called to check on my grandson. My son returned on Monday and took my grandson to the Doctor Who is in Columbus and he was appalled that this happened at Columbus zoo. So my daughter-in-law called the zoo and they basically told her since we didn’t stop by their emergency office that closes at 6 o’clock and it was already after 6 o’clock then there is nothing they can do. I told the lady that toy needs rubber or something around it because it fried my grandson‘s hand which the hand wasn’t as bad, but his wrist is still very bad. I just thought I would post this and I give it one star because it made me but I’m calling an attorney and I’m gonna get some advice from an attorney. This should not have happened.!!! Thank You!

Positive experience: Would give 5 stars if it didn't cost so much. $10 to park, $90+ entrance tickets for three, $37 to rent electric scooter (post total knee), $42 for 2 burgers & 3 soft drinks and $9 small Dippin Dots. Additionally, the senior or military discounts are only $2. The zoo itself is very clean and the staff quite helpful. We highly recommend the Columbus Zoo to visit, but the expense will limit us to infrequent trips ( we live an hour away).

Negative experience: This zoo is outlandishly expensive, every single food item is bland, generic and overpriced. The layout of the zoo bothered me the most, there’s absolutely no way to efficiently walk through and see each exhibit without wasting a bunch of time backtracking through things you’ve already seen to get to the next thing. I studied the map for a long time and it just makes no sense.

Fantastic experience: Today my family took our first visit to the Columbus Zoo. Our VIP tour with Calvin was 100% the best zoo experience my family has had. He planned our amazing day and introduced us to some very cool animals and the people that care for them so much day to day. Everything behind the scenes was great. Each keeper was super kind and so knowledgeable about their special animals. Our kiddos had so many questions and each was met with enthusiasm and so much great information, we learned a lot! Calvin even managed to stump our little animal “experts” on a few things. From meeting sweet Wahoo to hearing a cheetah purr to feeding the giraffes…we won’t forget this unique experience. And lunch was fab too!

Fantastic experience: We had a great time even tho the weather was cold. At least there was enough warm inside exhibits to keep the suffering to a minimum.

Fantastic experience: The Columbus zoo is fantastic. My son and I visited on Tuesday about a week ago for the first time together in over 15 years. The zoo is broken down into different parts of the world now. It includes a section for Africa, Australia, Asia, the Congo, North America, the Arctic(Polar section), and The aquarium and shores section. We were able to visit all of these areas except for the polar section in the North American section which were closed for maintenance. With that being said we walked over five and a half miles so we're comfortable shoes and drink lots of water. Overall it was a very nice experience for both of us; however, most of the animals were sleeping. I would advise finding out the trainer schedules and when they feed the animals to ensure you can see your favorites.

Fantastic experience: Excellent zoo and fantastic app. I really liked how the app made it easy to find the location of all the animals to visit, and that there were adequate nursing rooms throughout the park. Huge zoo!

Fantastic experience: EGG ALLERGY FRIENDLY **Rating: 5/5 Stars** As someone with food allergies, I was pleasantly surprised by the Columbus Zoo's attention to allergen awareness. Public venues like zoos can be notoriously difficult for people with food allergies, but the Columbus Zoo demonstrates genuine consideration for guests with dietary restrictions. The Congo area food court impressed me by having an actual allergen information sheet available at the Pick Up area - something that's unfortunately rare at many public dining venues. This simple but crucial resource allowed me to confidently identify safe food options without the usual stress and uncertainty that comes with eating at unfamiliar places. I was able to enjoy the Strawberry Field Salad, which exceeded my expectations in both quality and portion size. The salad was fresh, well-prepared, and honestly better than what I typically find at many restaurants in my small hometown. Finding quality food that's also safe to eat at a zoo setting was a pleasant surprise. What really stood out was the zoo's proactive approach to peanut allergy safety. Clear peanut allergy warning signs are posted in multiple areas where animal feeding occurs. This attention to detail shows that the zoo understands that food allergies can be serious and that parents need clear information to keep their children safe. These warning signs provide invaluable peace of mind for families with peanut-allergic children, allowing them to enjoy the zoo experience while staying informed about potential risks. As someone who understands the constant vigilance required with food allergies, I found these precautions very reassuring. The Columbus Zoo sets a positive example for how public venues can accommodate guests with food allergies through simple but effective measures. Having allergen information readily available and posting clear warning signs shows they take food safety seriously. While dining options for people with allergies can still be limited at any large venue, the zoo's efforts to provide information and safety awareness make it a more inclusive destination. It's refreshing to visit a public attraction where food allergies are acknowledged and addressed rather than ignored. One area for improvement would be maintaining better cleanliness in the restroom facilities, which could enhance the overall guest experience. I won't take off a star for this, seeing as is not to keep public restrooms clean during a busy day. **Recommended for families with food allergies - the zoo's proactive approach to allergen awareness makes for a more relaxed and enjoyable visit.**

Fantastic experience: This is a great zoo! Even though there was lots of construction, it didn't deter the animals from coming out to interact with their environment. Prepare for lots of walking and sore feet! I found the prices to be fair at Starbucks and at the burger place. They have lots of places to find seats and shade which helped us stay cool on a really warm day.

Fantastic experience: Hop aboard the COTA Zoo Bus from designated pickup locations and enjoy a wild deal- ride for just $2, park for free at the Park & Ride, and show your bus pass at the Zoo entrance to get admission for only $5 (regularly $32)!

Fantastic experience: One of the best zoos had a blast spent well over 6hrs doing this zoo so much to see and do

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic zoo. There are so many little fun places that make your trip more fun. Like little trains, and boat rides! The best exhibit by far was the Orangutan exhibit especially with the baby Clementine. Another awesome exhibit was the Polar Bear. The animals at this zoo are so lively as well. Usually I see them sleeping but a lot of animals were out and about here! Overall a great experience.

Fantastic experience: We love this zoo! We only get to go every few years because it's 3.5 hours away, but worth it. It's very clean and the animals are well taken care of. Lots of construction and a lot of animals not on display, like the penguins.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience the park is huge it will take 2 entire days to see and enjoy everything

Fantastic experience: I loved the place . Be prepared for long walks but it is fun and also you can carry your own food which is the good part for vegan and vegetarian lovers . It was overall fun in every part of the. I liked the Africa and The Aquarium the most . I’ll suggest to visit The Africa in first half as it’s a long walk and you’ll get exhausted if you try at the end . Every part of zoo was fun . Loved it

Fantastic experience: Great zoo experience! Easy parking, can get your tickets online ahead of time. The exhibits are well marked and animals are in easy to follow groupings. Plenty of snack and restroom spots, some little eateries. Prices as expected for an "amusement park". Multiple exhibits where you can feed and interact with animals. We did the dinosaur boat ride, my toddlers were enthralled.

Fantastic experience: You probably need one full day if you want to cover everything. We did the Asian section , the African one , South American one & the rides . We couldn’t do the Australian & Congo . They have elephants ,a big tiger , water animals , and a lot more . The rides are terrific for a zoo and you need Atleast 2 hours in there . They have some rides for kids too . Would deftly recommend to get the wrist band for the rides as it cuts the waiting time .

Fantastic experience: Wow! This is the absolute best zoo I've ever attended! There is so much to do, and see that 1 day just is not enough.

Fantastic experience: Large and all inclusive. Be prepared to walk. Their African exhibit is the largest I've seen. Acres of grasslands for the Wildebeest, giraffe, antelope and many others to be viewed. Elephants are a must see. Under construction in North America section (June 2025) but still available. Waterpark on property. No info as we did not go.

Fantastic experience: We had a bit of time to kill on our family visit to Columbus so we decided to go to the zoo. What an amazing place! We got there at 9am when they opened. We didn’t get tickets in advance but we didn’t wait long. Friendly staff. Beautiful grounds. Great photo ops. We’ll definitely be back.

Positive experience: We love this zoo! Tons of animals and things for a great price. We've been coming for several years now and we're so happy to see the animals so happy and healthy. We fell in love with Clementine the new baby orangutan! We hadn't seen Frankie (baby elephant) since he was born so it was wonderful to see him and Phoebe and he doing great! She's getting ready to have another in Nov! I docked one start because healthy food selections are hard to find. Basically every food spot has the same food that was expensive and didn't taste very good.

Fantastic experience: Visited for the first time over the weekend. The zoo was incredible. There's lots of animals to see and plenty of space for all of them. Also, we absolutely loved the Red Panda experience. We got to meet Santi and Kora, feed them, and have a Q&A session. Santi and Kora were so sweet and so gentle. A shout out and many thanks to Carol (education) and Andrea (their handler). Carol and Andrea were so friendly and explained everything well, which just made the whole experience that much better.

Positive experience: Great first experience for my kids. I would recommend a few more signs in the park, but it does feel like more of a ride/amusement park. Than a zoo! Also, your welcome to pack food a drinks. Which is awesome! Annie Ann's did not have lids or straws for drinks. Due to a animal getting hurt. That made it difficult for my little children.

Fantastic experience: The zoo is fantastic. So many different and rare animals. They both indoor and outdoor habitats. If gives the visitors a chance to cool off on a hot day. They have maps and people helping with directions. There are many and different kinds of primates, especially gorillas, and birds in aviaries. There’s even a robotic dinosaur exhibit which kids will love.

Fantastic experience: They are updating the gift shop and North American track. Can still see some of the animals there and others they have moved to other locations. We spent about 4 hours and still didn't see everything. Always a good trip. We buy an annual pass so we can make multiple trips with family and friends.

Fantastic experience: I have been to this zoo more times than I can count. I get the yearly passes and come multiple times a year (for the lights, Boo at the zoo, and just to see the animals). The animal enclosure seem clean, and they have a wonderful selection of animals. My family has different favorites (I personally love almost all animals). One of my daughters love the flying foxes, one loves the gorillas, one loves the komodo dragon and sting ray, my husband doesn't really care either way... And me? Well I get excited about them all! The big cats (so beautiful and majestic when they are out) , the elephants are so fun to watch them watch us. The alligators were out today and up close to the glass so we could see them great! The Christmas lights are breathtaking (always packed though and traffic can be a nightmare). The dancing trees are great to watch but my personal favorite is the tree by the sting ray exhibit that has dancing images to the music. This is my favorite place to come, I could spend all day here and id still want to come back the next day!

Positive experience: Great place to take the kids, be aware of the construction during summer 25 takes a lot of walking to get up to the African stuff !!! lots of ice cream and food options.. throughout the zoo

Fantastic experience: I love going to the zoo, I like the system of getting in I think its quite efficient. And its always so clean for you know like such a big and busy place. They have good signage to get around everywhere. This visit I just took my two babies and they loved it.

Fantastic experience: Went on end of year school trip with my daughter. It was a great time. Perfect weather. All exhibits open. Friendly staff. Overpriced gift shop.

Positive experience: I went with a group of 7, with ages from 7-81, and we had the best time! We spent Six hours of Pure Bliss! Four of us Rental Scooters and it was life saving! One died before the end of our visit and that would have made my review even higher. We were able to obtain Culture Passes from the Library and it admitted six, and it left room to buy other items, maps and memorabilia! We were in Awe at our last visit to the African Area, where it was feeding time for the Giraffes! They were Majestic! We even made it in time for rides! My phone died or I would have more pics. missed the Lions, but we will definitely be back again! It was worth every second !

Fantastic experience: One of the best zoos in the country! I spent a day and a half there as there is so much to see. It's not just a zoo, there is also an aquarium. The docents and staff are wonderful and are happy to answer any questions and try to make sure everyone is in the right place during the keeper talks (which can be different on weekends and weekdays). Make sure you have the app to know when and where the keeper chats are happening - and you know where the restrooms are.

Fantastic experience: Well worth the trip and the expense. Amazing variety of animals. Sections make it easy to find your favorites- Africa, Asia, Australia,North America etc. You can feed giraffes too. BTW - elephants are Asian. Beautifully landscaped. Also the zoo is cashless.

Fantastic experience: Always a good time at the zoo! We visit several times a year and are never disappointed.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely love the Columbus Zoo. This zoo is so big you can't do everything they have to offer in a single day. Would highly recommend the season pass so you can enjoy not only the animals, but also everything else the park has to offer. It's great for younger kids lots of play places and photo opportunities. We just went Saturday and we will be back again next Thursday or Friday.

Fantastic experience: Best zoo I’ve been to out of more than 50 zoos. Great staff that truly cares for guests and animals. Always innovative.

Fantastic experience: If it's your first time there be prepared for a decent amount of walking, the staff was very knowledgeable and actually took pride in what they do. As soon as I entered the zoo we went to the Sea Lions and California harbor seal exhibit and when we got to the over look I was talk to my wife and daughter about how good the exhibit looked and was approached by one of the staff a younger gentleman probably in his 30's and he gave us some insight of the animals in the exhibit and recommended us to go see his personal favorite animal the manatees and told us about the 3 that was being rehabilitated and how once they are ready to be released that they will be. I spent about 5 hours there just really taking in all the animals and just how great the exhibits are compared to some zoos I have gone to. I definitely will be back.

Positive experience: Was so much fun. The zoo was impeccably clean and the wildlife looked truly cared for and healthy. Some of the North American exhibits were closed due to construction. Overall was a great visit the did not disappoint.

Fantastic experience: Visited first thing on a Saturday morning. Was easy getting through the entrance/gates because we purchased them ahead of time and had them downloaded to our phone. This zoo is impressive and by far the nicest zoo we have visited so far. We spent about half a day and didn't come close to getting to it all. You would have to be moving at a decent pace if you wanted to see all the exhibits in one full day. Great zoo to take the kids to though. Had plenty of options for food/drinks to do lunch at the zoo.

Fantastic experience: The zoo overall was fantastic. The animal exhibits were first rate and the docents were friendly and helpful. It was also nice to see so many volunteers with disabilities. We also appreciated the many bronze art works throughout the zoo. There were only two downsides. First, we had lunch at the Congo River Market Food Court. They had a nice selection, but the chicken salad croissant hardly had any chicken on it, and although the turkey avocado club was loaded with meat, it had a dab of avocado dressing, and no avocado. Calling it a turkey avocado club was a stretch. Second, we left the African and North American venues for last because we were under the impression that there was a shuttle. However, when we got to the shuttle stop, we discovered it was not running. Being in our late 60's and after five hours walking the zoo, not having a shuttle and having to climbing the hill to the African venue was not easy. Again, a great zoo that we would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: A wonderful experience for the whole family!! There are so many great exhibits and I appreciate the cleanliness of the Zoo. I also appreciate that you can bring in your own water and food which helps keep the day more affordable. Highly recommend visiting!

Positive experience: My only complaint is that is should be more shuttles available. Plenty of parking but on a crowded day walking from one of the parking lot to the entrance is pretty far. Would have been nice to catch a shuttle. Although it was a holiday weekend, the crowd was not too overwhelming. Lines weren't long. Rides were accessible. Animals were plenty. We will definitely take the road trip again.

Fantastic experience: I enjoyed the zoo and there are lots of animals to see. However, I am not a fan of the way they organized everything. I would still come back, it's a great zoo.

Fantastic experience: The staff is always friendly and helpful, can't wait until the new North America area is open! This has always been my favorite zoo!

Positive experience: We like the zoo. Although it's sad to see animals have to live beside the roadway, they are breathing in toxins and emissions. The Columbus zoo has plenty of land to move them away from the road.

Positive experience: I'm a little disappointed. I grew up in Columbus and the zoo was a shining example, the Jack Hanna era. It has been 20 years since I have been and honestly it hasn't changed a bit. Now to be fair half of it seems to be under construction so maybe new exhibits are pending. Still a solid zoo, makes for a fun 3 hours even though $80 for two adults w parking is a bit steep but I will chalk that up to zoo fundraising.

Fantastic experience: This visit was great! My mom said this was one of the better zoos in the country, and she saw almost them all in her time. So she had a lot to compare this to. It made wanting to go here very high on my list and didn't disappoint at all. We didn't do any of the amusement park activities. The zoo alone stood up to the reputation it was given. But for those with preteens from what I saw, the rides and what I hear of the Waterpark are the perfect way to get even the most stubborn interested in animals. There is a ride there I saw with animotronic dinosaurs that is for anyone 42" or taller (but I saw many strollers so shorter must require adults) I got videos of it for my grandson and that dinosaur loving 5 year old is extremely excited knowing he's joining me next visit. Sorry if there's narration in the video, we were doing a walk through for my grandson.

Fantastic experience: Love animals and petting stingrays. My favorite part was when all the giraffes were crowded in the opposite end of the enclosure, away from everyone who was lined up to pet them. You can the see the caretaker trying to persuade them back to the petting side of the enclosure.

Positive experience: Just purchased membership yesterday. Horrible experience. Tons of schools were also visiting. Children were unattended and running wild. My 3 year old was knocked down by middle schools that flooded the area we were walking. They literally were running and pushing everyone. No adult in sight. My mother in law has an injured ankle and was also shoved. So I guess warning that the zoo seemingly has zero safety protocol for guests when it comes to school visits.

Positive experience: Teen daughter and I spent 4 1/2 hours here last week. We strolled at a relaxing pace, rode a few rides and ate a few snacks. The “aquarium” is under water viewing of animals at different exhibits. For the size of the zoo, it’s pretty nice. We had in our head an indoor aquarium similar to bigger places we had been. I would say though, overall, it was a nice mid-sized zoo. I do think it’s mid-sized, so the price of the tickets seems slightly high but not by much. We gave it 4 stars only because when you call it a “zoo and aquarium” there’s an expectation of more than just underwater viewing areas. We went on a weekday but there were a lot of school groups doing field trips so I can only imagine how busy it is on the weekends.

Fantastic experience: To my surprise, it was a very nice zoo, They had manatees, flamingos, and the regular assortment of zoo animals. The facilities were clean and up to date. The best part was the friendly staff, some would come up to you and start telling about the different animals and if you asked any of the staff about the particular animals, I found them to be very friendly and knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: Always a great time at the Columbus Zoo. Exhibits are always a great draw, but the real jewel is the aquarium and aquatic attractions. You simply cannot go wrong spending a day here with the family.

Fantastic experience: Was very large and fun. Had alot of indoor attractions, a theme park, and a stingray touch pool. Highly recommend for kiddos.

Fantastic experience: Went for granddaughters 2nd birthday..... It was chilly, but still tons of fun!

Fantastic experience: I visited this zoo for the first time over the weekend. It’s probably the most cleanest zoo I’ve been to in my life. Unfortunately, when I was there, none of the food places were open besides Auntie Ann’s but I ain’t gonna a star off for that.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! I visited with my daughter and grandson, and it was such a memorable experience for all of us. The zoo was clean, well-organized, and full of fascinating animals to see. My grandson was especially excited by all the different exhibits—we never ran out of things to explore. It was a perfect way to spend the day together as a family. Highly recommend for anyone visiting with kids or just looking for a fun, engaging outing!

Fantastic experience: Amazing family day at the zoo! Halloween event was a hit with kids, animals were active, & enclosures spotless . Friendly staff, great layout, but no cash—use card. Pricey, but supports zoo upkeep. Security was kind to my girlfriend’s diabetes pump issue. 7hrs & still not done! 9/10, we’ll return!

Fantastic experience: My family was gifted the VIP experience at the zoo. We had our own guide, Ashton, who was amazing. We were driven around from area to area on a covered golf cart. We went behind the scenes with several animals and got to engage with all of them. The information provided was so interesting and educational. I highly recommend buying an experience at Columbus zoo. They have so many to choose from I will be going again! Enjoy yourself and help the animals.

Fantastic experience: One of the premier zoos in the country. I've never visited here when they weren't improving or building new some habitat. It's clearly evident they care about the residents of the zoo. Our grandkids love it too.

Fantastic experience: A perfect zoo experience! There were docent staff everywhere to help with location guidance (a lot of upgrades happening for the animals required detours around the zoo) and teach about the animals.

Fantastic experience: Nice zoo. My grandson enjoyed watching the animals in a very life like atmosphere. So many birds, and many nice areas for photo ops. A little difficult to understand the map, mostly because of the detours do to construction. But, there are more food places besides the food court. Circulation in the family restroom in Africa area, would be wise. My daughter almost passed out, due to the heat and lack of air movement, whike she was changing my grandson. All and all, it was a good day and we all enjoyed the zoo very much.

Positive experience: As adults visiting the zoo, we had a good time. The staff was friendly and attentive. The problem is have is the strollers. All of these super sized strollers should not be allowed in the buildings. A parent stays with it and the sleeping baby or carries it in. Most are rude and don't know how to drive them. My feet and legs took a beating. Just my opinion. The zoo itself was good. Definitely worth the trip.

Positive experience: Zoo was decent. Staff was friendly. Place was clean. $10 to park. Over $100 for 3 entry tickets. Would've been an extra $19 per person for rides and attractions. As usual with these places, food, drink, and souvenirs were ridiculously overpriced. The Manatee area was small and overcrowded, but they were amazing. The aquarium left much to be desired for a zoo. Maps didn't show you where you were, so you were left kinda wondering around. There were 1-3 animals on average for each exhibit. Glad we went, but not very different from Cleveland Zoo, which is cheaper.

Fantastic experience: Great zoo! There was construction , detour path, but plenty of animals to view. Animal enclosures were well done and appeared to accommodate animals with adequate space and enrichment opportunities. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Attached water park was not open yet but we still had a 5 hour day getting through almost all areas.

Negative experience: Disappointed in the zoo overall. I was excited to go but it was underwhelming. Staff was very friendly and professional.

Fantastic experience: A very large Zoo, it took 2 days to go through it. Some exhibits were closed for renovations.

Fantastic experience: This place deserves a whole day of your attention. So many baby animals and their bears are just beautiful. Something for the entire family. I recommend going right when they open and wear the most comfortable shoes you've got. Easy 20k step trip coming. Your way.

Fantastic experience: The Columbus Zoo is always a great place for you and your family. Plenty of fun, food, animals, dancing, music and attentive staffing!

Fantastic experience: Lots to do and see, some of the construction was a little inconvenient but other than that we had a blast

Fantastic experience: Finally made it and was it worth it. We opened the place and closed it down. All day Sunday. Cool day and animals were fairly active.

Fantastic experience: Grown so much! Beautiful exhibits and enclosures! Some animals were off exhibit with the construction and expansion projects but that's understandable. Loved the manatees! Went early, so we saw all the animals active or eating. Spend 3 hours. Good signage to get you where you want to go and information on animals was interesting.

Fantastic experience: My second time here in three years. I just love this zoo so much :)

Fantastic experience: Very clean zoo, the docents were knowledgeable and friendly. I like the extra touch of putting paw/hoof prints in the concrete that were different in each area. I have loved manatees since I was young and it was a thrill for me to see them in person. I've only seen them one other time, in Florida. They are amazing creatures. Would like to see a little bit more about conservation efforts but overall I thought it was a great experience!

Positive experience: Ok first off I want to say that I do know we visited on a cold windy day in April and a zoo can be either a hit or miss but we were quite disappointed with our visit. First off you have to pay $10 to park, then you pay a lot to get into the Zoo. They do search your bags if you bring any. After we entered we felt like we were at an amusement park but during off season. There are little stands with stuff you can buy but none of that was open. We decided to go into the Asian section first and were very disappointed, I think the only animals that were great to see there were the elephants. My son was super sad he didn't get to see the tiger after all the buildup going towards the tiger enclosure (I even went back later to see if the tiger was there but he wasn't). The other sections weren't much different, a lot of animals weren't outside or just not there at all. The African section was closed for the season (which we didn't find out until after we entered the zoo and it was going to open only a few days after we visited), so I didn't get to see any giraffes. We did see a lion but she looked a bit sad. The cheetah was cool. My favorite part was probably the aquarium where we saw the manatees. You don't get to see those everywhere. All of the little food stands around the zoo were closed. We did get to touch the stingrays, my kids really liked that. We saw the polar bear, unfortunately it wasn't in the water. I would have loved seeing it swim from the underwater window. You can also walk through an underwater tunnel to see the seals, that was neat. I just wish they would have offered some kind of off season discount for the zoo, I know some zoos do that. There are also constructions going on right now so to get to the African section you have to walk quite a bit, I don't mind it but maybe people with walking difficulties have a problem with that, there might have been some kind of shuttle too but that was not going on on the day we went there. The bathrooms were all good, the water bottle fill up stations were all closed for the season. I'm pretty sure now that it's warmer everything is better we just came at the wrong time.

Fantastic experience: We have visited zoos all over the country and this is by far the best zoo based on the number of animals and the interaction that you can have with the animals. It is extremely well maintained and a beautiful facility. The animals look healthy and well cared for. Love that we can be so close to the kangaroos, birds, and stingrays!

Fantastic experience: This was one of the best zoos I've ever been to. They have a huge variety of creatures, and their enclosures are crafted for maximum view of the animal. They have boat rides, animatronics, and other attractions, too. We also had the neat experience of the keepers escorting a group of capybaras past us. I feel the price matched the value. If you are looking for something to do in Ohio, this is definitely a top stop.

Fantastic experience: Great time at the zoo. Fun times were had by all.

Fantastic experience: 15-20,000 steps later and we are exhausted. There was so many animals while some animals were up (because they have the option to) there was still a lot that we did see !

Fantastic experience: Great experience, wonderful zoo. They have some animals in haven't seen in a zoo before. Plenty of indoor exhibits for inclement weather.

Fantastic experience: I've been going to the Columbus Zoo since I was a kid. Now that I have a family, we recently decided to buy season passes (ABSOLUTELY worth it if you plan on going at least a few times a year, even if you don't live in Columbus). My son loves it, I enjoy it. There are so many indoor areas for extremely cold or hot days, lots of animals and educational opportunities. I enjoy the events that they host, and obviously, the holiday lights are great. No other zoo I've been to compares (but I've been fortunate enough to live near Columbus my whole life). Cannot recommend enough. Great for family fun, and I'm so grateful we now have passes so we can go anytime!

Positive experience: One of the best zoos we've ever been too! Very beautiful, clean, kind and helpful staff and lots of options for food and things to do! They have interactive exhibits too which you don't see often so that was also very cool! Only downside is I can't belive how expensive it is just to go! $140 for 4 people (non resident) is crazy to me and will unfortunately keep out visits to a minimum.

Positive experience: Excellent zoo and experience with some drawbacks. We visited March 31st. This is before the official summer season so some exhibits were closed. We knew this before hand and there was still plenty to see and do. It was a Monday and cooler temperatures. There were so few people there it was like we had the place to ourselves. The variety of animals and exhibits is incredible. We arrived when the gates opened at 1000. Nearly all of the shops, stores, snack stands were closed until well after noon. There are vending machines throughout. We were thirsty and found nearly every machine we tried either out of stock or inoperative. The staff were very polite, accessible, and knowledgeable. Recommend allotting a full day and you will still not see everything.

Fantastic experience: One of the best zoos in the country in my opinion. The layout was great and easy to navigate despite the large size. One of the best animal varieties in a zoo. We loved the koalas, manatees and other rare animals. Despite the cold weather and many animals inside, the inside displays are even better than the outside so it does not matter where they are.

Fantastic experience: We’re so lucky to have this wonderful zoo so close to home. I’ve been buying family memberships for years. Now I take my grandsons and we have the best times!

Positive experience: This zoo has volunteers who share lots of great facts and details about the animals and the zoo. This made the exhibits more interesting. While we went during spring break, it was still a cold day, so many of the exhibits were closed. The aquarium is small, but the zen of the fish was enjoyed. It also had a few exhibits closed. The manatee rehab pool is cool. It was great to see all the good they're doing for the sea life. The volunteer at this exhibit was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and generous with her time.

Positive experience: My son and I enjoyed our day at the zoo. We were here 3/19/25 and with it being the off season there were many exhibits/shops/food stands closed. There was still plenty for us to see though and we had a ball! Loved the manatees and the river otters. It was a nice day and the staff was mending fences and getting the savanna yard ready for the zebra and giraffes. The gate was open and we got to see them poke their heads out a bit. They are hesitant since they have been in for the winter. It’s a lot of walking-by the end of the day we both had 14000 steps!

Fantastic experience: Update: visited on March 12, 2025 for the baby orangutan I've been visiting the Columbus Zoo annually for zoo photography, and every visit has been a delightful experience. The zoo is well-maintained and the variety of animals provides endless opportunities for capturing great photos.

Fantastic experience: One of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. It wasn’t even open completely due to the weather and still took almost 4 hours. I will definitely be back in the future. I would note that for winter visits that not all exhibits are open and food is limited.