American Zoo Day is celebrated on July 1st to commemorate the grand opening of the Philadelphia Zoo in 1874. This is considered the very first zoo in the US. Although these types of establishments were originally created for entertainment, they’ve evolved over the years with a focus on conservation and education. According to The Wildlife Society, breeding programs have saved at least 48 species from extinction in the last 30 years.
Those who live near Toledo have plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in wildlife and learn more about these important animals. Here are the best zoos and wildlife facilities within a 3 hour drive from Toledo!
TOLEDO ZOO & AQUARIUM | TOLEDO, OH
The Toledo Zoo has received many accolades over the years— America’s Best Zoo by USA Today, the Public Agency Native Landscape Award, the Build Ohio Award, and the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Award, just to name a few. The Toledo Zoo is involved in many conservation and reintroduction programs. It also has the highest rating possible from Charity Navigator.
INDIAN CREEK ZOO | LAMBERTVILLE, MI
Indian Creek Zoo is a contributing member of the Madagascar Fauna & Flora Group which aims to protect Madagascar’s biodiversity. You can find both ring-tailed lemurs and the critically endangered red ruffed lemurs at Indian Creek. The facility is also popular for its hands-on giraffe and sloth encounters.
AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK | PORT CLINTON, OH
This thrilling wildlife attraction in Port Clinton is a 2022 top 10 recipient for Best Safari Parks in the US. The 100-acre preserve offers drive through habitats as well as the walk through Safari Junction. Visitors can observe and feed a wide range of species including camels, bison, emus, zebras, and giraffes.
DEROIT ZOO | ROYAL OAK, MI
Detroit Zoo’s Devereaux Tiger Forest made the USA Today 2022 list for Best Zoo Exhibits. The facility has also received numerous awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for their amphibian conservation center, the Arctic Ring of Life, and the Polk Penguin Conservation Center.
CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO | CLEVELAND, OH
The Cleveland Zoo recently won the Best Animal Encounter for Northeast Ohio’s Parent Choice Awards. They announced two newcomers in 2021— a baby orangutan in April and the very first Cleveland-born gorilla in October.
COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM | POWELL, OH
Columbus was recently voted one of the top 10 zoos in the country by USA Today readers. Their conservation efforts include worldwide funding and projects, the Manatee Coast rehabilitation facility for injured manatees, and a Mexican wolf breeding program.
AKRON ZOO | AKRON, OH
The Akron Zoo is the most visited attraction in Ohio’s Summit County. This AZA and WAZA-accredited non-profit is involved in numerous preservation and reintroduction efforts such as the Venezuelan Waterfowl Foundation and the Butterfly Conservation Initiative.
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN | CINCINNATI, OH
After opening its doors in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo became the second oldest zoo in the nation. It was voted the #1 zoo in America on USA Today’s 2022 10Best list. Among its many impressive exhibits is the dragon building. Cincinnati Zoo was the second zoo in the US to exhibit Komodo dragons and the second zoo outside of Indonesia to breed the species.
NEWPORT AQUARIUM | NEWPORT, KY
The Newport Aquarium is currently ranked the #7 Best Aquarium in the US. Sitting across the river from Cincinnati, it’s a global conservation leader with outreach programs and one of the first shark ray breeding programs.
DISCOVERY ZOO | DAYTON, OH
Located at Dayton’s Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, the Discovery Zoo houses over 100 animals and insects, including meerkats, river otters, and the zoo’s resident sloth.