The Akron Zoo is a great place to visit when you are in the area. When you live in NE Ohio, you usually think about the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo which is also a great place to visit, but it can be overwhelming for little ones. The Akron Zoo is much more appropriate for those of you with really young children. It’s also great for when you want to go to the zoo, but you don’t have all day to visit. It is really easy to visit this zoo in under two hours, and the price is really reasonable.
8 Reasons to Visit the Akron Zoo
There are a lot more than 8 reasons to visit the Akron Zoo, but these are some of my favorites.
The Akron Zoo’s Conservation Efforts
The Akron Zoo divides their big conservation efforts, preservation, protection, and restoration of the natural environment, ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife, into five specific conservation areas:
- conservation in the field
- conservation in research
- conservation in education
- conservation and sustainable animal populations
- conservation and green operations
Animal Enrichment
Enrichment is an important aspect in the lives of animals in zoos, and the Akron Zoo is careful to provide enrichment as well as training to their animals. You can be assured that even though it might look like the animals are bored or always sleeping, this isn’t the case at all. You can find out how you can get involved by donating enrichment items to the zoo by visiting their enrichment page.
Events
There is always something to do at the zoo! Easter is quickly approaching. Did you get to see the Easter Bunny yet? You can go see him for Breakfast with the Bunny in the coming weeks. Be sure to visit the Akron Zoo’s events page for details on all of the events and see how to buy tickets for the events.
Great for Kids
Three areas are specifically set aside as areas for play! Even kids who are fascinated by animals are going to need some time to run around and be a kid. They can do this on the otter slide, nature play area, or in frontier town. And like I said earlier, it isn’t a huge zoo, so your child is less likely to get overwhelmed.
Conservation Carousel
No matter how old you are, carousels are so much fun. The carousel at the Akron Zoo is unique because you can ride a ladybug, penguin, giraffe, tiger or one of the many other one-of-a-kind, hand carved wooden wild animals. Be sure to check out the map next to the Conservation Carousel and see where the animal you rode lives in the wild.
Farmland and Train
The train is another reason the Akron Zoo is great for kids! During a train ride (April-October), your child will learn about Ohio’s farms. And speaking of farms, the farmland area is so much fun! I love all of the goats and sheep. You can feed the animals in the farmland area. When you’re done, you can try to find your way out of the farmland maze.
Educational Opportunities
You may know that I used to homeschool my kids. They loved taking field trips to the zoo. The Akron Zoo offers educational opportunities for all ages: from preschool age to senior citizens. They offer mobile zoo opportunities, field trips, homeschool days, and more.
The Animals!
Of course, the animals are my favorite reason to visit the Akron Zoo. Here are the pictures I took on my last visit to the Akron Zoo. Be sure you visit their website and plan your trip soon!
I love the fact that you can enjoy the Akron Zoo in under two hours. This is perfect for those days when you just don’t have the time to spend the day. I haven’t been to a Zoo in a few years and this one looks like a fun place to visit.
I do too! It is so great for little ones…much less frustration!
That sounds like a fantastic zoo. We love visiting our local zoos and if we get to Akron, we will stop here for sure.
Zoos are so much fun!
You never have to convince me to go to the zoo! I love going to the zoo. I love seeing all the animals and I love the education that comes with it. If ever get up to Akron I will definitely check out this zoo!
I do too! You learn so much at the zoo!
Such a variety of things to do. Sad that so many species have to be in zoo’s in order to be protected from extinction. Any pregnant giraffes at their zoo 😉 Glad you enjoyed yourself. Besos Sarah.
LOL nope, no giraffes pregnant or otherwise!
We have visited several different zoos around the United States and always enjoy each and everyone of them. Akron is one zoo we haven’t visited yet. Never know when we might get the chance.
It is really a fun zoo.
My family loves to visit the zoo. My kids love to see all the different animals and love to feed them when possible. If we are ever in this area, we will come to this zoo.
Feeding the animals is so much fun for the kids!
I love attending the zoo! I have yet to visit the Fort Worth Zoo (closest to me), but I’ve heard its wonderful.
Oh cool! You should check it out. I’d love to hear about it.
Oh we have to visit more zoos. We haven’t in a long time.
Yes, you should go soon!
We have always enjoyed visiting different zoos. The Akron Zoo looks and sounds like it would be fun to visit.
It’s so fun!
We love visiting new zoos wherever we on a vacation! This zoo looks absolutely fantastic. Adding it to our zoo visit list!
Awesome! I hope you get to visit the area!
We love visiting the zoo. We have a couple of zoos near us and we love going there and watching the animals.
It is fun to visit different zoos to see how the animals differ.
I love to visit zoos, they’re something I look for anywhere I go. You got some really great pictures of the animals.
Thanks! They were so cooperative lol.
My children loved visiting zoos! It was fun, educational and perfect for family bonding moments. Now they are all grown and have their own activities planned out. I will have to wait for a few years until my grandchildren are older so I can take them to the local zoo. If we ever are in the vicinity of Akron, I’d take them there too! Those pink flamingos look so pretty!
I do love all of the fun facts you learn at the zoo!
There are some great zoos in the area near me. Although my favorites are a couple of miles south of me in San Diego. Both the zoo and the Safari Park there are amazing. Hoping to do a post on them sometime in the near future.
I would love to visit the San Diego Zoo sometime!
I never hear anyone talk about the Akron Zoo, but it looks lovely. If I’m ever in the area, I will take the chance to drop by!
It is a great local zoo and inexpensive compared to the big ones!
We have many Zoos in my area and my children absolutely love visiting them all. My daughter is actually going on a field trip soon to the zoo and she is so excited! Akron Zoo looks amazing!
Field trips to the zoo are the best!
I love going to zoos. It has been quite sometime since the last time I went to a zoo. The orange birds look so pretty, btw.
Thank you! It’s so fun going to the zoo.
There aren’t a lot of great zoos in my area. This one looks like a great zoo to take my daughters to.
It is so great for kids!
I have a love/hate relationship with zoos. I love seeing the animals but I’m scared they aren’t cared for well.
I know what you mean. You can tell by looking at these, that they have lots of love and care.