Exciting Opportunties Await at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium This Summer

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Powell, OH — Experience something new this summer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! From welcoming adorable new faces and experiencing stunning views to enjoying delicious food and supporting the Zoo’s animals through a special tour, there are many options available that make the Columbus Zoo a fun and impactful destination. There’s even a new app to help guests plan their visit and maximize their fun.

NEW ANIMALS

Guests will find donkeys in the Heart of Africa region.
Ostriches are now in a new location next to the donkeys. Guests can see both species as soon as they enter Heart of Africa!
Weedy Seadragons: Stop by and visit the Zoo’s newest habitat located in the Nocturnal Building and Aviary in the Australia and the Islands region.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Adventure Wheel. Located in the Adventure Cove region next to the Tidal Twist roller coaster, Adventure Wheel is available for rides through the last day of the Boo at the Zoo on October 29. At 110 feet, Adventure Wheel is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the Midwest. Each ride on Adventure Wheel is $5 for non-members and $4 for Columbus Zoo members. Rides are free for Columbus Zoo Gold members and are included in the price of a ZooMore ride wristband. (Height restrictions apply.)

Dinosaur Island. Guest-favorite Dinosaur Island has returned to the Columbus Zoo’s Australia and the Islands region and will run through the end of October. This attraction features more than 20 animatronic dinosaurs and a walking path and boat ride. A special admission ticket is required for entrance and is not included with Zoo admission. Admission to Dinosaur Island is $3 for general admission, $2 for Columbus Zoo members, and free for Columbus Zoo Gold members, as well as included in the price of a ZooMore Wristband.

ZooMore Wristband.
These wristbands provide the opportunity for guests to enjoy all of the available rides and attractions at the Zoo, including Tidal Twist, the Sea Dragon roller coaster, Grand Carousel, North America Train, 4-D Theater, and more. Wristbands can be purchased for $14.99 at Guest Relations or at any Guest Service kiosk.

TASTY TREATS AND UNIQUE GIFTS

The Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay have partnered with the SSA Group to offer new and exciting food service, catering, and retail operations. New menus include:

Delicious smokehouse-style entrees like baby back ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork, smoked tofu at Mapori Restaurant
Hand-breaded chicken tenders are featured at The Coop. The tenders top our chicken and waffles, hearty sandwiches, and delicious tenders and fries baskets.
Shores Park Cafe offers some healthier options like the Baja shrimp bowl, falafel sandwich, and refreshing smoothies.
Traditional burgers topped with our signature cheese fondue, veggie burgers, and more will tempt guests at Wild Burger.
Multiple flavors of Velvet Ice Cream at the Funnel Cake Shop (try a scoop on top of a funnel cake!) and at Zoombezi Bay
Congo Market offers something for everyone: pizza made fresh by Harvest Pizzeria, cheeseburgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and more!

More information can be found on the Zoo’s Food and Shops page.

Special Snack Option: Wendy’s® Frosty® Cart. This summer, Zoo guests can visit Wendy’s Frosty Cart, which features classic chocolate and vanilla Frosty treats, Frosty Fusions, and a Build Your Own Frosty Sundae option with toppings like chocolate sauce, Oreo® cookie pieces and Lucky Charms™. The Frosty Cart will be located in the Adventure Cove region, near the Adventure Sky Wheel and the Tidal Twist roller coaster, and will be open during regular Zoo hours.

UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Animal Experiences. From touching a stingray and enjoying a reptile encounter to watching exciting training demonstrations and learning more about the animals from the people who know them best, the Columbus Zoo offers guests many opportunities to connect with wildlife through animal experiences. (Availability varies.) Today’s offerings can be accessed on the Zoo’s website.

Enhance Your Visit: Tours and Experiences. A visit to the Columbus Zoo can be enhanced with an up-close and personal encounter with various animals through the Zoo’s Tours and Experiences, presented by Nationwide. New for 2023, the Animal Wellness Experience takes participants behind the scenes at the Animal Health Center with an Education team member who shares stories of many aspects of animal wellness at the Zoo. After touring the facility and seeing the rooms where procedures take place, guests will stop at the Wild Encounters building to meet an animal and see a training demonstration that highlights a wellness behavior. (Prices and dates vary for these unique experiences.)

PLANNING A MEMORABLE VISIT

New App. With so much to see and do, planning this exciting adventure has ever been easier. Guests are encouraged to download the new Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay app on their mobile device!

This app helps by:

Providing notifications about upcoming animal experiences going on during your visit
Identifying the dining options nearest guests’ current location during their visit
Mapping out the most efficient route to animals guests want to see and learn more about
Enabling guests to purchase tickets or a membership in the app

Guests can download the app by looking for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium/Zoombezi Bay icon in their app store, available for both Apple and Android.

For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, animals, events, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org. Be sure to also check out the websites for The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club for more exciting opportunities this season!

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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide to continue the mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.

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