Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Founded in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is among the oldest in the country, and several of its original buildings survive, including an ornate historic aviary and reptile house that are landmarks of nineteenth-century zoo architecture. From the start it was designed as much as a garden and civic retreat as a collection of animals, a place for city residents to walk among trees and creatures.

The zoo also carries a somber place in conservation history. Its aviary held Martha, the last passenger pigeon in the world, who died there in 1914, and the last Carolina parakeet died at the zoo a few years later. Those extinctions, of birds once numbered in the billions, became powerful lessons that helped drive the American conservation movement in the century that followed.

Out of that history the zoo built a modern identity as a conservation leader. It became an early and influential center for the science of breeding endangered species, from big cats to rhinos, and its research arm works on reproduction, genetics, and the preservation of frozen cells and tissue as a hedge against extinction.

That work has helped species that were dwindling in the wild, and it links the zoo to conservation partners around the globe. The animals visitors come to see are, in many cases, part of carefully managed breeding populations meant to keep their kind from vanishing the way the passenger pigeon did.

In recent years the zoo captured hearts far beyond Ohio with Fiona, a hippopotamus born prematurely and nursed to survival by the zoo's staff. Her fragile beginning and steady recovery became an internet phenomenon and a rallying point for the zoo, drawing fans from around the world and putting a warm, human face on the institution's care.

Fiona is one of many draws. The zoo is known for its big cats, gorillas, red pandas, elephants, and manatees, among many others, presented in habitats that have grown more naturalistic over the decades. It is a place where a single visit can move from historic buildings to modern habitats to a hillside of gardens.

As an accredited botanical garden, the zoo takes its plantings seriously. The grounds hold themed gardens, seasonal flower displays, and a horticulture program that tests plants for the region's gardeners, so the setting is a living arboretum around the animal habitats. In the winter holiday season the grounds fill with an elaborate light display.

The zoo sits in the hilly Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, part of the ancestral homeland of the Shawnee, Miami, and Lenape (Delaware) peoples, whose descendant nations continue today, largely in Oklahoma. From here it is a short trip to the city's other great institutions, from the Union Terminal museums to the historic streets of Over-the-Rhine.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the oldest and finest zoos in the country, home to a remarkable variety of animals in beautiful habitats along with award-winning botanical gardens. The zoo houses thousands of animals, from big cats and elephants to gorillas, giraffes, and a beloved hippo, in immersive habitats, and it is celebrated for its conservation work, its gardens and plantings, and its dedication to animal care. Its outstanding animals, gardens, and history make it a world-class family destination. A superb and family-friendly zoo, it delights visitors. With its animals and gardens, the Cincinnati Zoo offers a compelling destination in Ohio.

You can see thousands of animals from around the world, including big cats, elephants, gorillas, giraffes, and a famous hippo, in immersive habitats, along with award-winning botanical gardens and beautiful plantings throughout. The diverse animals, the immersive habitats, the beloved hippo, and the gardens are the draws, making it a superb visit for all ages. The animals and the lovely gardens together are highlights. With its animals and gardens, the Cincinnati Zoo offers a rewarding experience in Ohio.

Yes, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is wonderful for families, with a great variety of animals, a beloved hippo, immersive habitats, gardens, and a children's area that delight children and adults alike. The famous animals and the beautiful grounds especially engage kids, making it one of the country's top family destinations. Its combination of zoo and gardens offers a full day. Its family appeal makes the Cincinnati Zoo a delightful destination in Ohio.

The mild months of spring through fall are the most pleasant for the outdoor habitats and gardens, with the animals active, the gardens blooming, and the weather comfortable, while some indoor exhibits and a beloved holiday light display offer appeal in other seasons. Because it is large and popular, arriving early and allowing plenty of time are wise. For the most pleasant weather and blooming gardens, aim for spring through fall, or enjoy the winter lights, at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is in Cincinnati, Ohio, within reach of downtown Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, the American Sign Museum, and the other attractions of the Cincinnati area. That makes the Cincinnati Zoo a compelling stop to combine with the other attractions of Cincinnati on a visit to Ohio.