About Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Park showcasing land & sea life with a hands-on tide pool, reptile house, kangaroo walkabout & more.

💬 What Parents Say

• 💡Plan for at least 2 days to fully appreciate the zoo's extensive exhibits, or prioritize must-see areas like the manta ray pool (where you can feed and touch them), polar bears, and the reptile houses which visitors consistently highlight as among the best they've seen
• 🕐Visit during off-peak times like weekday evenings or non-holiday weekends to avoid crowds while still seeing active animals. Evening visits during Wildlights season (November-early January) offer a unique experience with fewer visitors than daytime visits
• 💡Take advantage of AZA membership discounts (50% off tickets) or look for discounted tickets at local Kroger stores to significantly reduce admission costs, especially important given the zoo's higher price point
• 💡The zoo organizes exhibits by world regions and features interactive experiences like feeding stingrays and manatees at the aquarium section—plan your route to hit these hands-on exhibits early before animal activity decreases in afternoon/evening hours
• 💡Every visit directly supports conservation efforts in Central Africa through the zoo's Jack Hanna-affiliated programs, making this an educational opportunity to learn about animal behaviors (like polar bear vocalizations/chuffing) and global conservation impact