Zoo, aquarium and family attraction

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

About 7.49 miles straight-line from the Ohio Railway Museum · separate full-day drive

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a separate full-day destination with more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species about 7.49 miles straight-line from the railway museum.

The place

About Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a large independent zoological campus at 4850 West Powell Road in Powell. Its current institutional overview describes more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species. The zoo is generally open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas, but daily hours vary by date; the guide must route visitors to the live date selector rather than freezing a cached closing time.

Current online admission is dynamically priced and displayed as starting rates. Non-Franklin County visitors see starting prices of $27.95 for ages 3-9, $34.95 for ages 10-59 and $32.95 for ages 60 and older. Franklin County starting prices are $18.95, $24.95 and $23.95 for those same bands with proof of residence; children under three enter free. Parking is $12 and cashless, and separate attractions or adjacent Zoombezi Bay can require additional admission.

The zoo publishes marked accessible routes, a Guest Relations team, an adult changing station, communication boards, caregiver support, sensory resources and service-animal rules. Wheelchairs are $15 plus tax and electric scooters are $37 plus tax, first come without reservations; scooter users must be at least 18 and meet the stated 300-pound limit. These feature-specific facts do not establish that every exhibit path, ride or animal area is accessible in the same way.

The zoo opened in 1927. Colo, born in 1956, became the first gorilla born in a zoo. Current signature experiences include the 43-acre Heart of Africa, Discovery Reef, manatee and reptile habitats and a historic 1914 Grand Carousel. Animal visibility, rides, exhibit access and seasonal operations remain day-specific, so visitors should use the live hours, rates and know-before-you-go pages for the selected date.

What stands out

Build a full animal day

More than 10,000 animals and 600-plus species make this a day anchor rather than a brief stop between train activities.

Cross Heart of Africa

The 43-acre region presents an expansive African landscape, with animal visibility and experiences controlled by current conditions.

Move from reef to manatees

Discovery Reef, manatee habitats and reptile exhibits broaden the visit beyond the zoo's large terrestrial regions.

Ride a historic carousel

The 1914 Grand Carousel adds a heritage attraction, subject to current schedule, price and access information.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Ohio Railway Museum trip

The zoo ranks second because it is a substantial full-day family destination rather than a compact train add-on. It is about 7.49 miles straight-line from the railway museum, with a separate road trip, admission and cashless parking charge. Choose one as the day's anchor unless live hours leave ample margin. Do not treat the photographed adjacent Zoombezi Bay slides as included in zoo admission, and use the live date selector instead of a cached closing time.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Live hoursUse the official date selector for the selected day. Hours vary, and a cached close time must never be hard-coded into the guide.
  • Non-Franklin starting admissionOnline starting prices are $27.95 age 3-9, $34.95 age 10-59 and $32.95 age 60+; children under three are free.
  • Franklin County starting admissionWith qualifying proof of residence, online starting prices are $18.95 age 3-9, $24.95 age 10-59 and $23.95 age 60+.
  • Parking and paymentParking is $12 and cashless. The zoo publishes Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express as accepted cards.
  • Accessible visitor supportMarked accessible routes, Guest Relations, an adult changing station, communication boards, caregiver support and sensory resources are published. Contact ada@columbuszoo.org for exact needs.
  • Mobility rentalsManual wheelchairs are $15 plus tax and scooters $37 plus tax, first come with no reservations. Scooter users must be 18+ and meet the 300-pound limit.
  • Sensory supportSensory kits are available with a $10 refundable deposit. Monthly Quiet Hours run during the first four hours on the first Sunday, subject to the live calendar.
  • Service animalsUse the zoo's current service-animal procedure and relief-area guidance. Pet admission is not established by that policy.
  • Separate attractionsZoombezi Bay and some rides or add-ons can require separate admission or seasonal operation; never infer inclusion from a photograph or shared campus.

Choose a compact history stop

Add Orange Johnson House Museum

Use the reserved Orange Johnson House tour for a shorter Worthington history experience when the zoo's full-day scale does not fit the trip.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the zoo's current hours?

Hours vary by date. Use the live official date selector for the actual visit rather than relying on a cached monthly or seasonal closing time.

How much does zoo admission cost?

Online prices are dynamic starting rates. Non-Franklin County rates start at $27.95 for ages 3-9, $34.95 for ages 10-59 and $32.95 for ages 60+. Franklin County rates are lower with proof of residence.

Are children under three free?

Yes. The current rate page states that children under age three enter free.

How much is parking?

Current parking is $12 and cashless. Budget it separately from admission.

Is the zoo wheelchair-accessible?

The zoo publishes marked accessible routes and specific guest supports. Because terrain, exhibits and rides differ, contact ada@columbuszoo.org when an exact route or feature determines the visit.

Can I reserve a wheelchair or scooter?

No advance reservations are published. Rentals are first come: wheelchairs are $15 plus tax and scooters $37 plus tax, with age and weight rules for scooters.

What sensory support is available?

The zoo publishes sensory kits with a $10 refundable deposit and monthly Quiet Hours during the first four hours of the first Sunday, subject to current scheduling.

Is Zoombezi Bay included?

Do not assume so. It is an adjacent, separately ticketed seasonal water park; the shared complex and background images do not establish inclusion.

Can I combine the zoo and railway museum in one day?

The zoo is best treated as a full-day anchor. Combine only if live hours and the Saturday museum schedule leave ample travel and visit margin.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-16. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.