Akron Zoo: What You Need to Know Before Visiting

Located just slightly west of downtown Akron, Ohio, the Akron Zoo has a variety of unique animal exhibits and fun things the whole family can enjoy. From exotic enclosures to exciting seasonal events, there’s always something exciting going on at the zoo, which is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from April through October and between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. from November through March. This article has tons of information about the Akron Zoo and all the cool events it has to offer.

Akron Zoo Animal Exhibits

“Jaguar” by Becker1999 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When visiting the Akron Zoo, you can enjoy watching rare mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and even carnivorous plants. In the Legends of the Wild exhibit, for example, you can learn how jaguars got their spots and observe the exotic and ferocious snow leopard in its natural habitat. If you prefer tamer animals, you check out three different species of mischievous lemurs, get up close to an alpaca and a capybara, or gaze at the adorable pygmy slow loris. There’s also Penguin Point, an exhibit containing a group of friendly and curious Humboldt penguins.

For lovers of North American animals, the Grizzly Ridge exhibit features bald eagles, coyotes, red wolves, turkeys, river otters, and the major attraction: muscular, brown grizzly bears. The zoo also has a butterfly garden where visitors can learn more about monarch butterflies, plus an exhibit containing Komodo dragons and massive Galapagos tortoises. The Zoo Gardens hosts over 7,000 native species of plants, flowers, and other fascinating natural wonders. Nearby, the Curious Creatures exhibit features numerous sea creatures and terrestrial invertebrates, including electric eels, a Giant Pacific octopus, and leaf-cutter ants.

Rise and Shine Safari

At the Rise and Shine Safari, you and your family get an opportunity to explore the zoo and learn more about the animals before it opens with a knowledgeable staff member. The interactive experience includes getting to watch zookeepers engage with the lemurs in their enclosures, visiting the habitat of the acrobatic red panda sisters, and observing the lion night yard where the zoo’s lions rest their heads. It also includes a behind-the-scenes experience in the grizzly bear building. The price is $75 per person, with a minimum requirement of two guests.

The Get Closer Experience

The Get Closer Experience also gives you the opportunity to interact with some of the zoo’s most popular animals and speak with a zookeeper. Choose between interacting with the Galapagos tortoises and giving them a shower, grooming some goats, or having fun with animals like armadillos, porcupines, and kinkajous. The price for these experiences is $45 per person, with a minimum of two guests, plus a maximum of four guests for the tortoise experience and six for the other two.

Wild World Animal Show

Make your trip to the zoo extra special by attending the Wild World Animal Show, a 25-minute production where a variety of animal species get to show off what they can do in front of an audience. You can find the animal show inside Nature’s Theater at Lehner Family Gardens. It features a variety of furry, scaly, feathery, and strange creatures from all around the world as they jump, climb, and fly through the air. It’s also a great opportunity to ask the zoo’s staff questions about the animals on display.

Special Events

Throughout the year, the zoo holds a variety of fun, seasonal events for all ages. In October, the zoo hosts Boo at the Zoo, a one-of-a-kind Halloween experience where visitors get the chance to dress up and collect tasty treats from 12 themed stations all throughout the zoo. All ages are welcome to purchase a ticket, and special treats are available for individuals with allergies. During the holidays, the whole family can enjoy Wild Lights, an event that features over one million Christmas lights strung around the zoo and includes many creative photo opportunities.

Adults can enjoy Brew at the Zoo, a special event occurring a few times throughout the year where you can mingle in the zoo after-hours while sipping beer and wine. One event ticket includes eight sample tastings. Seltzers n’ Shells is another after-hours, adult-only event that celebrates World Turtle Day by allowing participants to toast with hard seltzers and ciders from local breweries and discuss the importance of conservation with zookeepers. It also includes special animal appearances and a turtle shower.

During Summer Safari — the zoo’s biggest fundraiser of the year — adults can enjoy encounters with the animals, drinks, delicious food from some of Ohio’s top caterers, and live music. You can also participate in a raffle and silent auction with prizes that include animal art and behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo. Other adult-only events occurring after the zoo closes include Tequila n’ Tigers and Wild for Wine. On community appreciation days, all Summit County residents can enjoy the zoo free of admission.

Akron Zoo Cost of Admission and Membership

Admission for Akron Zoo’s summer season is $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $11 for children aged three to 14. Children aged two years old and under get in for free. If you want to enjoy the zoo year-round, there’s also an option to become a member.

Members don’t need to reserve admission tickets in advance. Instead, they can simply show their digital membership card and a photo ID. They can also enjoy free, unlimited admission to the zoo for one year, along with free parking, discounts to over 150 zoos nationwide, access to special after-hours zoo experiences, and gift shop discounts.

Is there a fun Akron Zoo attraction we missed? Fill out our contact form or call our staff at 330-422-7300 to let us know, and we’ll be sure to add it. If you need a ride to the zoo, we invite you to check out our vast inventory of pre-owned vehicles at Nissan of Streetsboro. Whether you’re looking for something sporty and stylish or practical and family-oriented, you can find it in our showroom. Check out our unique leasing and financing specials and take home the car you’ve always wanted at a more affordable price.