Opened in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is the second oldest zoo in the country, also famous for an Elephant House that’s listed as a National Historic Landmark. The 75-acre zoo is home to 500 animal species and more than 3,000 species of plants. It is the largest year-round attraction in the city, providing hours of education and entertainment to guests in the warmer months, as well as the winter months, when visitors can experience the P&C Bank Festival of Lights. The most popular attractions include the Safari Train, the Giraffe Feeding Exhibit and the Cheetah and Gorilla Encounters.

Families have the convenience of bringing in wagons and coolers of food if they decide to bypass dining at the “Greenest Restaurant in America,” Base Camp Cafe. The zoo opens daily at 10 a.m., with 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. being the busiest time of day. From March 15 to October 31, guests who purchase the Total Experience Package can beat the crowds and enter the zoo at 9 a.m. Aside from admission, the package includes a train ride, parking, carousel ride, and entrance to the 4-D Special-FX Theater.