Yes, we live in DC and have a nationally ranked (free) zoo
less than ten miles away. But hey, why not travel over 200 miles to visit
another nationally ranked zoo? The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium may not be free like the Smithsonian
zoo, but it makes up in what my good friend calls the customer service ‘wow’
factor. Visitors are greeted with a clean and open space all year round. This
time of year the Columbus Zoo does “WildLights” and are completing their 25th
year.
Every tree and bush is decorated and the central lake has an
orchestrated light show every half of an hour. It is cold you are right, but
the view is worth it. Little kids run around just as excited about the light
animals glowing from the bushes as they are the real animals.
Because it is cold, the animals you see are either equipped
to be in the cold or live in a large building with viewing windows. One of the
aspects that impressed me the most was the educational experience you have as
you wander from animals to animal. In the manatee area you can pretend to drive
an air boat in Florida with surrounding televisions. Or you can read about
projects all over the world that are working to make life better for animals in
their respective countries.
In the middle of the zoo there is a large antique carousel
to ride. So even if it is 200 miles away, I can now say that I have been to two
ranking zoos in the country!
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