Gettin' Wild
NEO a Destination for Animal Loving Kids

Can the bounding path of a backyard chipmunk rivet your children like no video game or TV show can? Do the squawks of an approaching flock of Canada geese make them crane their necks to the sky, anxious for a glimpse? Does every conversation with your child somehow meander back to what elephants eat, why lions have manes or how many teeth a shark has?

If so, you’ve got a kid with a serious animal obsession that must be fed. For those of us whose children are similarly afflicted, we’re lucky to live in an area with so many opportunities to learn about birds, animals and reptiles of virtually any species. For those of you looking for a new animal-centric family destination, I offer my list of top Northeast Ohio spots sure to satisfy even the most animal-obsessed child.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (661-6500 / http://www.clemetzoo.com)

Sure, this is an obvious one, but no list of animal hot spots would be complete without it. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals from 600 species, from cheetahs and chimpanzees to gazelles and gharials. The latest arrivals are 11 baby koalas born in February through the zoo’s leading koala breeding program, as well as the seasonal exhibits “Touch! Amazing Rays and Sharks” and “Dinosaurs!,” both returning to the zoo by popular demand. Even a rainy day is a good day to visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, with its indoor Rainforest exhibit a destination in itself. Don’t let the Fulton Road bridge construction keep you away this summer either; the zoo is fully open and accessible with just a short detour.

Akron Zoo, Akron (330-375-2550 / http://www.akronzoo.com)
The size of the Akron Zoo is ideal for younger children, although older ones will enjoy it as well. Less walking between exhibits, fewer hills and you can see everything in a few hours and still get home for naps. Its smaller size means smaller exhibits and, for the most part, smaller animals. You won’t find any elephants, giraffes or sharks at the Akron Zoo. However, you will see penguins, a Komodo dragon, jaguars and some other animals you can’t see at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. New this year is a pair of one-year-old lions – Tamarr and Shani – who replace the zoo’s 26-year-old lion Norma who died last year.

Lake Farmpark, Kirtland (800-366-FARM / http://www.lakemetroparks.com)
Lake Farmpark offers the chance for kids to witness firsthand how a real working farm operates. They can milk a cow, take a wagon ride and see 50 breeds of farm animals from cows and horses to chickens and turkeys. Upcoming special events include this week’s Working Dog Weekend (June 9-10) and Woolfest – where kids can learn about animal shearing and fiber processing – later this month.

Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, Bay Village (440-871-2900 / http://www.lensc.org)
Stepping inside the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center feels like a visit to a cozy mountain lodge, where your fellow visitors just happen to be a python, a tarantula and a turkey vulture. More than 100 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects live in this intimate setting, offering kids lots of opportunities for up-close viewing and – during live animal events – some touching.

Other Top Destinations
Rolling Ridge Ranch, Millersburg (330-893-3777 / http://www.visitrollingridge.com)
Wagon Trails Animal Park, Vienna (330-539-4494 / http://www.wagontrails.com)
African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton (800-521-2660 / http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com)

Each of these destinations –located to the south, east and west, respectively – offers similar up-close animal encounters as you drive or ride through their expansive wildlife preserves. Rolling Ridge Ranch’s 80-acre preserve is home to more than 500 breeds of animals and birds – including zebras, water buffalo, llamas and more – which you can feed as you ride through on their wagon. You can choose to drive through, but Rolling Ridge does not allow feeding from your car. Ride on Wagon Trails’ safari trucks through their 60-acre park containing 300 animals from six continents, including bison, wildebeest, ostrich and antelope, or take your own car through the 100-acre African Safari Wildlife Park to see and feed camels, giraffes, warthogs and the rare Giant Eland.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History, University Circle (800-317-9155 / http://www.cmnh.org)
This destination serves double-duty for your budding zoologists and paleontologists. While the taxidermied bears, lions, reptiles and other wildlife found in the museum’s exhibit gallery can be a bit creepy, outside is the 2.2-acre Perkins Wildlife Center which houses living wildlife native to Ohio, including bald eagles, foxes, deer, bobcats, hawks and otters. The museum staff regularly brings a selection of these animals indoors for a fun and educational live animal show. What’s more, this summer CMNH offers an interactive exhibit titled “Animal Secrets” that lets kids explore the hidden habitats of forest animals.

Area County Fairs
Nothing says summer like the intermingling smells of fresh cow manure and cotton candy, hearing a barker and a motocross event in the background, all while spinning ‘till you’re nauseous on a carnival ride. You’ll get all that plus an up-close animal experience at any of Northeast Ohio’s county fairs this summer. The county fair is the once-a-year chance for you and your kids to meet Ohio’s finest cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, fowl, bunnies and more in person. Follow the following links:

Ashtabula County Fair, August 7 to 12 (http://www.ashtabulafair.com)
Cuyahoga County Fair, August 6 to 12 (http://www.cuyfair.com)
Geauga County Fair, August 30 to September 3 (http://www.geaugafair.com)
Lake County Fair, August 14 to 19 (http://www.lakecountyfair)
Lorain County Fair, August 20 to 26 (http://www.loraincountyfair.com)
Medina County Fair, July 30 to August 5, (http://www.medina-fair.com)
Stark County Fair, August 28 to September 3 (http://www.starkcountyfair.com)
Summit County Fair, July 24 to 29 (http://www.summitfair.com)

Willing to drive a bit farther?
If your family’s looking to take an animal-centric road trip, then head south to Cumberland, Ohio, to visit The Wilds (740-638-5030 / www.thewilds.org). This 10,000-acre conservation center is home to 25 different animal species from Africa, Asia and North America, including camels, bison, giraffes, rhinoceros and more. Guests can schedule safari trips through The Wilds to take in the views of the wildlife and scenery, or participate in outdoor activities like mountain biking or fishing. But The Wilds isn’t just a tourist site; it’s a place where scientists are actively working to protect biodiversity and promote conservation throughout the world. For an overnight trip, your family can even stay in a yurt or lodge on the grounds of The Wilds.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Jennifer Keirn jenniferkATwowway.com
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