- Former Franklin County resident visits Columbus Zoo for first time in 25 years
- The Modern Columbus Zoo is nothing like it was 25 years ago
- Columbus Zoo is the largest zoo in the United States.
- Animal habitats at the zoo are spacious and elaborate
- It requires more than one day to see and do everything at the zoo
Who knew that the Columbus Zoo was the biggest zoo in the United States? I certainly did not. A recent trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio was a huge shock.
Years ago, I came here with my children. In my recollection, it was nothing out of the ordinary; it was a zoo. They had lions, bears, kangaroos, snakes; everything you would expect in a zoo.
But the Columbus Zoo of today is not the Columbus Zoo of 25 years ago! It is certainly everything you would expect a zoo to be.
There are animals, animals, and more animals. But the totality of the place seems more like an amusement park. Today there are carnival rides in the zoo
I saw at least 2 playgrounds; one was exceptionally large. Of course, there’s a train that weaves through the zoo.
But even more fun is a boat ride that runs through sections of the zoo with dinosaurs lurking around every bend.
You can ride a camel at this zoo. You can feed giraffes and stingrays. It’s simply amazing to this small-town girl how much there is to do at this zoo.
The immenseness of the place broadcasts the news: You’re not going to see it all in one visit.
There were elephants, rhinos, giraffes, bears, tigers, leopards, bats, foxes, wolves, gorillas, gibbons….An internet search reveals there are more than 11,000 animals in all.
They had elaborate habitats replete with entertainment and activities suitable for each species. The sheer size of the animal enclosures was breathtaking.
The only appropriate response one can have after a trip to the Columbus Zoo is, “when can I go back?”
