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Location
Best time
Visit on weekdays, especially Mondays, for significantly fewer crowds. One visitor noted the zoo was nearly empty mid-week compared to their Monday visit at Toledo Zoo just days prior, with rarely more than 2 other groups at most attractions.
Best time
Arrive at opening time to avoid any line at the ticketing window. One visitor arriving at opening walked right up to the first window with no wait.
Visitor tip
Plan to explore multiple distinct areas including the main zoo, upper cat/gorilla area, and rainforest area—the zoo is well-sized with good animal variety across these sections. The Asian Lantern Festival (seasonal) features interactive displays that are particularly engaging for families and look even better as evening approaches.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Size
- Medium-sized with multiple areas including Cat/Gorilla section and Rainforest
- Special Event
- Asian Lantern Festival with interactive displays
- Membership
- Available; reciprocal discounts with partner zoos
What visitors say
We visited on a Wednesday in mid-April 2025. We had just bought a family membership pass at the Toledo Zoo a few days prior. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo does a reciprocal discount with the membership and it only cost us $12/person up to 6…
Went with the family over the weekend to check out the Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Zoo, it was absolutely a good time walking around looking at all of the different displays that were setup throughout the entire zoo. The…
I love our zoo! I would say it's a good sized zoo, not too big but not too small. There are plenty of animals to see between the main zoo, the upper cat/gorilla area, and the rainforest area The Asian lantern festival is also super…
From 184 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers reciprocal membership discounts with partner zoos like Toledo Zoo, allowing visitors to enter for $12/person (up to 6 people) with valid membership, but tickets must be purchased in person at the window rather than online
- The zoo features a seasonal Asian Lantern Festival with interactive displays throughout the venue that become more visually impressive in the evening hours
- The zoo is divided into distinct sections including an upper cat/gorilla area and a rainforest area in addition to the main zoo grounds, creating a multi-zone layout
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