With summer quickly winding down, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit one of Toledo’s gems and one of my favorite summer pastimes.
The Toledo Zoo has been a staple of my childhood memories for as long as I can remember. Hearing the proud trumpet of an elephant, seeing the vibrant colors on the plumage of a peacock, studying with curiosity the lithe movements of a big cat, are just a few of the wonders of visiting the zoo.
With more than 10,000 animals representing over 700 species from around the world, Toledo Zoo exceeds the expectations of those who love to see, experience and learn about animals.
Upon this recent visit, I decided to compile a list of what, in my opinion, are the top 10 reasons that you must visit this zoo if you haven’t already.
1. It's A Great Learning Experience
With most of the animal exhibits, you will be exposed to an insane amount of knowledge including animal names, facts, habitat information as well as how an animal looks, sounds, and even smells.
Some exhibits even allow visitors to touch the animals, offering a truly multi-sensory experience.
2. The Zoo Has Entertaining History Stories
There is so much rich history that the Toledo Zoo has acquired over the last 100 years that there are countless interesting facts and fun stories. There is one, however, that has stood out to me during my readings.
That is the story of Slippery the Sea Lion.
He was a California sea lion who in June 1958 escaped from a marine mammal park in London, Ontario, Canada. The animal swam down the Thames to Lake St. Clair, and down the Detroit River to Lake Erie, finally being caught near Sandusky, Ohio by employees of the Toledo Zoo.
The escape and subsequent sightings generated a considerable media frenzy, which was exploited by the owners of Storybrook Gardens, the sea lion’s home.
Rumours persisted for decades that park employees had planned the escape as a publicity stunt. A “custody dispute” staged by the Storybrook and Toledo parks may have contributed to the impression.
It’s unknown to this day how Slippery escaped, but his journey inspired memorabilia, books, plays, toys, and documentaries over the decades. To learn more about The Toledo Zoo History, check out the book The Toledo Zoo’s First 100 Year: A Century of Adventure.
3. It Has An Impressive Aquarium
This is a strange one for me to list because I’m not the biggest fan of Aquariums. Fish quite frankly, freak me out, but even I have to admit that the aquarium at the Toledo Zoo is pretty impressive.
Fish aside, I appreciate other aquatic life and like seeing all the different species that are housed there. With more than 3,000 aquatic animals in 178,000 gallons of water, you can really explore the fascinating lives of animals that live in oceans, lakes and rivers.
The aquarium features a Touch Tank and guests can actually stick their hands below the surface of the water to feel a sting ray!
4. There Is A Natural History Museum
At Toledo Zoo’s Promedica Museum of Natural History. you can experience representations of ice age-era animals, including wooly mammoths.
It’s fascinating to me that these creatures used to live in Northwest Ohio!
Upstairs in the museum, there are exhibits of fish and Komodo dragons and a hands-on area where you can touch animal pelts and teeth. It’s a neat space where you can really explore.
There is also a Hall of Venom where visitors can explore how venom works to protect animals against predators and how it has evolved over time.
5. There is an Aerial Adventure Course
Set three stories above the ground, Expedition Africa Aerial Adventure Course offers a whole new way to experience the animals of Africa. Here, you can experience two high ropes challenge towers, a 30-foot quick drop and 763 feet of zipline fun.
I have personally never done this yet, but I can just imagine how fun it would be to soar above the zebras and giraffes and for a few minutes and be a part of the wildlife.
6. The Toledo Zoo Offers Interactive Experiences
The Toledo Zoo offers some amazing behind the scenes tours (for an additional fee) that really give visitors the chance to have an immersive experience.
Visitors can choose to tour the Reef Tank and Aquarium, feed stingrays, get up close with a rhino, meet and greet some penguins, or even participate in an elephant training session (Which I would LOVE to do someday).
There are also tours available where you can meet and feed a red panda, Galápagos Tortoise, cassowary as well as an ostrich.
7. Exercise
Also, another strange one for me to list since any form of exercise might as well be torture for me, but at The Toledo Zoo, it doesn’t seem like a lot of work.
You are doing a TON of walking, but you get so immersed in the animals that you don’t even care. On my visit, I averaged about 9,000 steps, which is somewhat equivalent to about 4 miles.
8. Creating Memories with Your Friends and Family
I still remember touring the zoo as a child, they are some of my fondest memories.
Not only because I got to see some cool animals, but because my family and I were having fun together.
Now as an adult, it’s just as memorable going with friends.
For instance, on my recent visit, I’ll always remember seeing Emerson, the Galápagos Turtle who’s over 100 years old.
Or seeing Renee, the matriarch of the elephants, waving her giant ears at me as if she were saying hello.
For a few hours, we got to be kids again.
The key is to take lots of pictures (make sure you’re in a few) and live in the moment.
9. See Some Beautiful Historic Buildings
The Toledo Zoo was proposed in 1900 as a way to make the city a tourist destination.
As you stroll along visiting the animals, you may also find that some of the older buildings are just as intriguing.
In fact, the zoo has one of the largest collections of buildings that were constructed under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. Franklin D. Roosevelt created the WPA with an executive order on May 6, 1935. It was part of his New Deal plan to lift the country out of the Great Depression.
Several zoo buildings were built during this time such as Carnivora, Reptilia, the Aviary as well as the Aquarium among many others.
These buildings reflect a vintage Spanish and Moorish influenced architecture.
10. The Toledo Zoo Hosts A Wide Variety of Events
On most Sundays during July 2 – August 13, the Zoo hosts their Music Under The Stars Series. It’s completely FREE! This long-standing tradition, located in the Zoo’s beautiful Amphitheater, highlights the many musical talents found in popular bands throughout the region. Concerts start at 7:30 PM.
I would be doing a disservice to you all if I didn’t mention The Annual Lights Before Christmas Event that starts mid-November and runs till New Year’s Eve.
With over one million lights, the award-winning Big Tree and 200+ illuminated animal images, it’s truly an electrical spectacle.
Below is a very short (30 seconds) video from the Toledo Zoo’s YouTube Channel, giving you a quick idea of just how amazing the Lights Before Christmas experience is.
In addition, the Zoo holds various festivals, horticultural shows, conservation efforts, and more throughout the year. In short, there is always something to see and do at the Toledo Zoo. You can visit toledozoo.org for their full calendar of events.
Free Admission Tip
All Lucas County Residents receive free admission on non-holiday Mondays from 10AM - noon with valid proof of residency. Normal parking fees apply.
Toledo Zoo
- 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
- www.toledozoo.org
- TheToledoZoo
- TheToledoZoo
- TheToledoZoo
- @thetoledozoo
