Forget hibernation, winter is prime time for adventure at the Columbus Zoo! Besides fewer crowds, you can experience cold-loving critters at their best, warm-up in indoor exhibits and make memories of a lifetime with behind-the-scenes tours. Keep reading to see why winter is  one of the best times to visit the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.  

Winter Animals 

Red Panda

The cold doesn’t bother these animals, in fact, they may be even more active when the temps drop. Bundle up and visit these furry friends next time you’re at the zoo.  

  • -Polar Bears, Polar Frontier  
  • -Red Pandas, Asia Quest  
  • -Arctic Foxes, Polar Frontier  
  • -Bald Eagles, North America  
  • -Wolverines, North America 

Find locations of every animal in the zoo using this downloadable map.  

Indoor Exhibits  

Columbus Zoo Manatees

If it’s a bit *too* cold for you, warm up in one of the zoo’s many indoor exhibits!  

  • -Discovery Reef Aquarium, Shores & Aquariums 
  • -Manatee Coast, Shores & Aquariums 
  • -Australia Nocturnal Building and Aviary, Australia & The Islands 
  • -Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village, Adventure Cove 
  • -Stingray Bay, Adventure Cove 
  • -Reptile House, Shores & Aquariums  
  • -Asia Quest Aviary, Asia Quest  

Find more cozy indoor spaces and animal habitats throughout the Zoo by downloading the mobile app before your visit! 

Behind-The-Scenes Tours 

Sea Lion Experience Columbus Zoo

Have a particular animal you're wanting to get a closer look at? Go beyond the ordinary zoo experience with a VIP tour. From bathing an elephant to hanging out with red pandas and sea lions; peek behind the scenes, learn about animal care, and meet these fascinating creatures up close.  

Find a full list of tours and experiences. (They make very unique gifts for animal lovers!) 

Events 

Columbus Zoo Valentines Day

While animal antics steal the spotlight, the Columbus Zoo has a calendar full of events to take your visit to the next level! Check out what’s coming up:  

  • -February 10th: Hearts Go Wild presented by Diamond Cellar, an exclusive, 21+ event held at the Zoo's Africa Event Center. 
  • -March 8th-April 27th: Unextinct, a brand-new experience that takes you through a world of colorful illusions and wildlife, creatures long extinct and those on the edge of extinction still roam. 
  • -March 24th: Sensory-Friendly Easter Bunny Experience, guests will have the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and one of our Egg Ambassadors in a sensory-friendly environment with reduced sounds, decreased visual stimulation, and controlled crowds 
  • -March 29th-30th: Eggs, Paws & Claws, a two-day event that will feature photos with the Easter Bunny, Eggbert and Shelley’s Rolling Shell-ebration, the Egg-Splore-N-Find, and more! 

Explore more events at the Columbus Zoo here.  

The Columbus Zoo prioritizes accessibility, offering companion tickets, accessible paths, and assistive devices to ensure everyone can enjoy the winter fun. Find out how to make your trip to the zoo accessible, here.  

So, pull on those mittens and zip up those coats, because you won’t want to miss a winter at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium! Embrace your wild side and tag us in your zoo memories using #SoDublin.  

Visit the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium at 4850 W. Powell Rd.  

The zoo is open daily January and February from 10a-4p, with extended hours beginning in March from 10a-5p.  

Save on admission when you order your tickets online here.