The state of Ohio has thousands of attractions for visitors with interests of all sorts, such as outdoor enthusiasts, sports fans, science aficionados, art enthusiasts and those who want to learn more about the Amish. The state also offers fun places for families with children, such as amusement parks, water parks and zoos.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio, holds more than 3,000 animals from over 600 different species and is home to one of the largest collections of primates in the world. The zoo features areas such as Australian Adventure, Monkey Island, African Savannah, an aquatic center, a greenhouse and Northern Trek, which houses bears, wolves and tigers. The two-story Rainforest center holds animals and plant life from Asia and Africa. Families also have the opportunity to grab a snack at the food court or catch an animal show at the zoo's amphitheater. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and stays open until 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, offers a wide range of activities for children and adults, including roller coasters, thrill rides and a water park. The park also features "Planet Snoopy," a ride area for small children. The self-proclaimed "Roller Coaster Capital of the World" features famous roller coasters such as the Magnum XL-200, the Monster and the Mean Streak. Soak City, the water park, features water slides, a wave pool, and a water play area for toddlers. Cedar Point opens in mid-May and closes after Halloween. Soak City opens Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labor Day. The park hours vary depending on the time of the year.
The CoCo Key Water Resort, in Cincinnati, Ohio, features a variety of water rides and activities, including four water slides. The Coral Reef Cavern pool area features lily pads for relaxing on the water and a water basketball court. The park also offers whirlpools, the Coconut Grove Adventure River tube ride, and a toddler's area, Parrot's Perch. The indoor park keeps the temperature at 84 degrees year-round and offers dining options such as a Pizza Hut Express, A&W and the Tradewinds restaurant. The park is open seven days a week, with varying hours.
