Toledo Zoo Toledo Zoo When Short on Time?

1

15399

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,

This October, I will be going on a short zoo road trip featuring a few major zoos. On the last day, I am going to be visiting the Toledo Zoo, but unfortunately it looks like I'm only going to have about four hours at the zoo (note: itinerary isn't something I can change, so it's not like I can just add more time). I've seen posts on here talking about Toledo has a whole-day zoo, and it certainly seems like a zoo with a lot to see, so I'm wondering if anyone has any advice to visiting the zoo in four hours?

I obviously want to see the Bird House, which is supposed to have a lot of really cool species, and the Reptile House is also a priority in order to see the Tuataras and Saltwater Crocodile. Other that that, what should be a priority versus what is skippable? I definitely want to see ProMedica Museum of Natural History, which seems like a really great exhibit, but I'm not sure if I will have the time to do it justice. Other than that, Tasmanian Devils and the historic HippoQuarium mean I definitely want to see the Tembo Trail, and primates are a favorite of mine so I'd like to see those sections if given the chance as well.
 
I haven’t been to the museum yet. Hoping to visit in October. The aviary, museum, and reptile house are the highlights from my experience (and what I’m told about the museum). The polar area is good but not one of the best in the nation. I don’t know what the pheasantry area has now but it might be worth a look if you’re into birds. The primate areas are unfortunately some of the weakest exhibits at the zoo. If it’s your cup of tea, go for it. The back half of Tembo Trail isn’t as good as the first. Maybe look at the bears or rhinos if you’re interested but you can otherwise powerwalk through after the otters and hippos.

The aquarium isn’t as remarkable as the aviary and reptile house from a collection perspective but it’s still a nice historic building with a solid species list. Might be worth a visit if you still have time after everything.

Can’t speak to the quality of the new carnivore exhibits. I found Africa pretty skippable if your home zoo has a half decent veldt area. If you don’t do the ape house or aquarium (or the Arctic / Africa) then everything is clustered together pretty well in the middle third of the zoo. But Toledo isn’t geographically massive like North Carolina so much as it crams a lot into its (still fairly sizable) space. Walking isn’t going to kill your time so much as stopping to look at everything. Zoo can go as fast or as slow as you want it to.
 
Toledo is honestly difficult to do even in a full day, luckily many parts of the zoo are pretty skippable. Here's how I would rate the various exhibits:

Tier IV: Skippable: Arctic Encounter, Africa!, Rescue Roost, Primate Forest, Great Apes, Gorilla Garden, Cassowary Crossing, Nature's Neighborhood, Tiger Terrace

Tier III: Would absolutely see if you have time but could be skippable in a pinch: Flamingo Key, Penguin Beach

Tier II: Otherwise skippable exhibits with an extremely rare species: Avian Breeding Center (White-headed Vulture), Galapagos Garden (Santiago Giant Tortoise), Tembo Trail (Kodiak Bear and Tasmanian Devil)

Tier I: Must-see: Aviary, Pheasantry, Aquarium, ProMedica Museum of Natural History, Reptile House

I would prioritize the exhibit in that order, with the higher tier exhibits being more worth seeing. Of course, your mileage may vary, this species list may help: https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/toledo-zoo-and-aquarium-species-list-july-9th-2022.484578/

You'll definitely have to skip the lower tier exhibits to really experience this zoo in five hours. Frankly I could see myself spending 4 hours just in ProMedica.
 
Last edited:
birdsandbats said:
Toledo is honestly difficult to do even in a full day, luckily many parts of the zoo are pretty skippable. Here's how I would rate the various exhibits:

Tier IV: Skippable: Arctic Encounter, Africa!, Rescue Roost, Primate Forest, Great Apes, Gorilla Garden, Cassowary Crossing, Nature's Neighborhood, Tiger Terrace

Tier III: Would absolutely see if you have time but could be skippable in a pinch: Flamingo Key, Penguin Beach

Tier II: Otherwise skippable exhibit with an extremely rare species: Avian Breeding Center (White-headed Vulture), Galapagos Garden (Santiago Giant Tortoise), Tembo Trail (Kodiak Bear and Tasmanian Devil)

Tier I: Must-see: Aviary, Pheasantry, Aquarium, ProMedica Museum of Natural History, Reptile House

I would prioritize the exhibit in that order, with the higher tier exhibits being more worth seeing. Of course, your mileage may vary, this species list may help: https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/toledo-zoo-and-aquarium-species-list-july-9th-2022.484578/

You'll definitely have to skip the lower tier exhibits to really experience this zoo in five hours. Frankly I could see myself spending 5 hours just in ProMedica.
Click to expand...
Persephone said:
I haven’t been to the museum yet. Hoping to visit in October. The aviary, museum, and reptile house are the highlights from my experience (and what I’m told about the museum). The polar area is good but not one of the best in the nation. I don’t know what the pheasantry area has now but it might be worth a look if you’re into birds. The primate areas are unfortunately some of the weakest exhibits at the zoo. If it’s your cup of tea, go for it. The back half of Tembo Trail isn’t as good as the first. Maybe look at the bears or rhinos if you’re interested but you can otherwise powerwalk through after the otters and hippos.

The aquarium isn’t as remarkable as the aviary and reptile house from a collection perspective but it’s still a nice historic building with a solid species list. Might be worth a visit if you still have time after everything.

Can’t speak to the quality of the new carnivore exhibits. I found Africa pretty skippable if your home zoo has a half decent veldt area. If you don’t do the ape house or aquarium (or the Arctic / Africa) then everything is clustered together pretty well in the middle third of the zoo. But Toledo isn’t geographically massive like North Carolina so much as it crams a lot into its (still fairly sizable) space. Walking isn’t going to kill your time so much as stopping to look at everything. Zoo can go as fast or as slow as you want it to.
Click to expand...
Thanks both of you for your replies. My priorities are slightly different than they may otherwise be since this trip is for a college class I'm taking in Zoo Exhibitry, and stuff like the great apes and elephants are must-sees for the class. I also just really like orangutans, and don't get to see them often being from the Northeast. Africa! is definitely one that looks skippable though, and Arctic Encounter certainly won't be able to compete with the polar bear exhibit I'd be seeing the day prior.

About the museum: From what I'm reading, it seems like most of the live animals are on the second floor. Is this correct? Is there anything really notable that should warrant me prioritizing the bottom floor, or would it be possible/advisable to primarily see the second floor and either skip/breeze through the bottom floor. I've been to multiple of the nation's really great natural history museums in the past, so the taxidermy displays and stuff aren't really of interest to me.
 
Neil chace said:
Thanks both of you for your replies. My priorities are slightly different than they may otherwise be since this trip is for a college class I'm taking in Zoo Exhibitry, and stuff like the great apes and elephants are must-sees for the class. I also just really like orangutans, and don't get to see them often being from the Northeast. Africa! is definitely one that looks skippable though, and Arctic Encounter certainly won't be able to compete with the polar bear exhibit I'd be seeing the day prior.

About the museum: From what I'm reading, it seems like most of the live animals are on the second floor. Is this correct? Is there anything really notable that should warrant me prioritizing the bottom floor, or would it be possible/advisable to primarily see the second floor and either skip/breeze through the bottom floor. I've been to multiple of the nation's really great natural history museums in the past, so the taxidermy displays and stuff aren't really of interest to me.
Click to expand...
The primary entrance to the rainforest and only entrance to the prairie are on the first floor. While there are far more exhibits on the the second floor, the first floor still has things like the the sturgeon, the big mixed salamander exhibit, and the wetland.
 
I should note that actually the bulk of the museum is live animal displays - it frankly takes multiple hours to view even just the live animal exhibits in the museum. Truly a titan of an exhibit.
 
Another question: what's so notable about the Pheasantry? Is it just that some of the species are rare, or is the exhibit notable in some other way? Looking at that 2022 species list, most of the species are ones I saw on my New York trip earlier this year. The only lifers for me would be the honeyeaters, cheer pheasants, Edwards' pheasants, and Temminck's tragopans, with two of those not even being particularly rare.
 
Neil chace said:
Another question: what's so notable about the Pheasantry? Is it just that some of the species are rare, or is the exhibit notable in some other way? Looking at that 2022 species list, most of the species are ones I saw on my New York trip earlier this year. The only lifers for me would be the honeyeaters, cheer pheasants, Edwards' pheasants, and Temminck's tragopans, with two of those not even being particularly rare.
Click to expand...
Packed with rarities, I like the classic aviary style, too. That one's my bias showing through. It is easily the least notable of the exhibits I put in Tier I.
 
Neil chace said:
Hi everyone,

This October, I will be going on a short zoo road trip featuring a few major zoos. On the last day, I am going to be visiting the Toledo Zoo, but unfortunately it looks like I'm only going to have about four hours at the zoo (note: itinerary isn't something I can change, so it's not like I can just add more time). I've seen posts on here talking about Toledo has a whole-day zoo, and it certainly seems like a zoo with a lot to see, so I'm wondering if anyone has any advice to visiting the zoo in four hours?

I obviously want to see the Bird House, which is supposed to have a lot of really cool species, and the Reptile House is also a priority in order to see the Tuataras and Saltwater Crocodile. Other that that, what should be a priority versus what is skippable? I definitely want to see ProMedica Museum of Natural History, which seems like a really great exhibit, but I'm not sure if I will have the time to do it justice. Other than that, Tasmanian Devils and the historic HippoQuarium mean I definitely want to see the Tembo Trail, and primates are a favorite of mine so I'd like to see those sections if given the chance as well.
Click to expand...

Park at the entrance by the Aquarium. Most of what you want to see is right by each other. When you go in the Reptile House, you can probably skip the first room and go to the second - the croc will be right in front of you and the tuatara on your left. There's a few rarer species in that room as well (check out the frog wall before you leave out the back exit!). The building is right next to the entrance to Tembo Trail.

Do check out the Flamingo exhibit, there's a few rare species in there as well. Same for the Penguins, which are to the right of the Aquarium. There's several very rare ducks in there.

I would go to the other side of the zoo to see the polar bear cubs - who knows when you'll have the chance to see cubs again :( - but that's up to you. There aren't any species on that side that are otherwise hard to find.

I would do Promerica last, so that you can use up the rest of your time there. Start on the second floor, where most of the species are.

On my visit I skipped the bottom left corner of the Zoo (Kingdom of the Apes, Galapagos Garden) as well as Primate Forest. I forgot about the Pheasantry sadly :( I was really tired, my phone was dead, and I'd saved those for last in case I needed to drop anything.

I posted photos in the gallery of every exhibit in June, except for those that I skipped obviously. Very few aquarium photos as my phone was about to die, I didn't get any sign photos in there (electronic screens).
 
birdsandbats said:
Tier III: Would absolutely see if you have time but could be skippable in a pinch: Flamingo Key, Penguin Beach
Click to expand...
Don't skip these. There are a few rarities I expect you won't want to miss out on, and they're not hard to find in their enclosures.


birdsandbats said:
Avian Breeding Center (White-headed Vulture)
Click to expand...
The white-headed vulture is now at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm.


Neil chace said:
About the museum: From what I'm reading, it seems like most of the live animals are on the second floor. Is this correct? Is there anything really notable that should warrant me prioritizing the bottom floor, or would it be possible/advisable to primarily see the second floor and either skip/breeze through the bottom floor. I've been to multiple of the nation's really great natural history museums in the past, so the taxidermy displays and stuff aren't really of interest to me.
Click to expand...
I would recommend not skipping anything in this building. There is a lot to learn and appreciate about it. To save on time, a quick peak into the prairie greenhouse is all that's necessary. There are some free-roaming garter snakes in the greenhouse, which may or may not be interesting to you. Also, it was designed to show three different sub-biomes in the prairie, an interesting facet. The hallway with the larger-than-life sculptures of invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians isn't something I suggest skipping, because of the ring-necked snake. The main hall with the replicas is really cool because there is so much to learn there, but unfortunately, they aren't the most accurate displays. It's either the mammoth or the mastodon (I forget which model it was) that depicts the head in a position that the real animal wouldn't have been able to do.


TinoPup said:
I would go to the other side of the zoo to see the polar bear cubs - who knows when you'll have the chance to see cubs again :( - but that's up to you. There aren't any species on that side that are otherwise hard to find.
Click to expand...
It might have just been the way they were lying on their mother, but they don't have the "awe" factor that younger cubs would. In a month or so, I would guess they could pass for a small female.


TinoPup said:
Very few aquarium photos as my phone was about to die, I didn't get any sign photos in there (electronic screens).
Click to expand...
I will be posting the rest of my species list this weekend at the latest. It only covers about half of the tanks in the building as I skipped the rest, but it could be of some help. It is also a more recent account of the animals on-exhibit.

https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/toledo-zoo-species-list-mid-july-2023.488071/


Neil chace said:
Another question: what's so notable about the Pheasantry? Is it just that some of the species are rare, or is the exhibit notable in some other way? Looking at that 2022 species list, most of the species are ones I saw on my New York trip earlier this year. The only lifers for me would be the honeyeaters, cheer pheasants, Edwards' pheasants, and Temminck's tragopans, with two of those not even being particularly rare.
Click to expand...
Blue-eared pheasants and Reeve's pheasants are also considered pretty rare, I'm pretty sure, but I guess you've already seen them.


TinoPup said:
(check out the frog wall before you leave out the back exit!)
Click to expand...
I unfortunately made this mistake :(
 
wild boar said:
Don't skip these. There are a few rarities I expect you won't want to miss out on, and they're not hard to find in their enclosures.



The white-headed vulture is now at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm.



I would recommend not skipping anything in this building. There is a lot to learn and appreciate about it. To save on time, a quick peak into the prairie greenhouse is all that's necessary. There are some free-roaming garter snakes in the greenhouse, which may or may not be interesting to you. Also, it was designed to show three different sub-biomes in the prairie, an interesting facet. The hallway with the larger-than-life sculptures of invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians isn't something I suggest skipping, because of the ring-necked snake. The main hall with the replicas is really cool because there is so much to learn there, but unfortunately, they aren't the most accurate displays. It's either the mammoth or the mastodon (I forget which model it was) that depicts the head in a position that the real animal wouldn't have been able to do.



It might have just been the way they were lying on their mother, but they don't have the "awe" factor that younger cubs would. In a month or so, I would guess they could pass for a small female.



I will be posting the rest of my species list this weekend at the latest. It only covers about half of the tanks in the building as I skipped the rest, but it could be of some help. It is also a more recent account of the animals on-exhibit.

https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/toledo-zoo-species-list-mid-july-2023.488071/



Blue-eared pheasants and Reeve's pheasants are also considered pretty rare, I'm pretty sure, but I guess you've already seen them.



I unfortunately made this mistake :(
Click to expand...
What's the rarity in Flamingo Key? Forgot about the sea ducks in the penguin exhibit, but I'd still recommend to Neil Chace to skip both of these exhibits so he has more time to see the best of the best.
 
birdsandbats said:
What's the rarity in Flamingo Key? Forgot about the sea ducks in the penguin exhibit, but I'd still recommend to Neil Chace to skip both of these exhibits so he has more time to see the best of the best.
Click to expand...

They only take a minute or two to see since they're on the main path, he's not gaining much time by skipping them. The seabirds especially are among the rarest species in the zoo. And Steller's eiders *are* the best of the best :P
 
TinoPup said:
They only take a minute or two to see since they're on the main path, he's not gaining much time by skipping them. The seabirds especially are among the rarest species in the zoo. And Steller's eiders *are* the best of the best :p
Click to expand...
Did you see them on your recent visit?
 
birdsandbats said:
I missed them on my visit, that must be why I forgot about the sea ducks.
Click to expand...

I saw all the ducks, no penguins! I forgot to take any cell phone photos of them because I was taking so many with my film camera lol. I didn't know they had the sea ducks, especially the eider, and it was the first exhibit I stopped at (other than a peek in the aquarium to get to the bathroom), so I was super happy :)
 
Neil chace said:
Hi everyone,

This October, I will be going on a short zoo road trip featuring a few major zoos. On the last day, I am going to be visiting the Toledo Zoo, but unfortunately it looks like I'm only going to have about four hours at the zoo (note: itinerary isn't something I can change, so it's not like I can just add more time). I've seen posts on here talking about Toledo has a whole-day zoo, and it certainly seems like a zoo with a lot to see, so I'm wondering if anyone has any advice to visiting the zoo in four hours?

I obviously want to see the Bird House, which is supposed to have a lot of really cool species, and the Reptile House is also a priority in order to see the Tuataras and Saltwater Crocodile. Other that that, what should be a priority versus what is skippable? I definitely want to see ProMedica Museum of Natural History, which seems like a really great exhibit, but I'm not sure if I will have the time to do it justice. Other than that, Tasmanian Devils and the historic HippoQuarium mean I definitely want to see the Tembo Trail, and primates are a favorite of mine so I'd like to see those sections if given the chance as well.
Click to expand...
You could Probably just turn around on Tembo Trail after the the HippoQuarium as the Devils and Hippos are the first 2 exhibits. The rest are mostly common species that I am sure you have seen with the exception of the Kodiak Bear, even with that they are a subspecies of bear I have seen at almost a dozen zoos.
 
KiwiBirb said:
You could Probably just turn around on Tembo Trail after the the HippoQuarium as the Devils and Hippos are the first 2 exhibits. The rest are mostly common species that I am sure you have seen with the exception of the Kodiak Bear, even with that they are a subspecies of bear I have seen at almost a dozen zoos.
Click to expand...
Wildwood Zoo and Toledo are the only US holders of pure Kodiak Bear. There are a few other claimed Kodiak bears around but most are hybridized with Grizzly.
 
I've noticed a few of you have mentioned the Aquarium as must-see. I just finished watching the Zoo Tours video on it, and I have to ask: what's so notable about it? I'm not a big fish person, so don't know much about a lot of the species on display, however it doesn't seem like there's much there that isn't standard to other US aquariums. Sure, the building looks nice, but is there anything so notable that I should prioritize it over seeing the Bird House, Reptile House, ProMedica, Flamingos, Penguins, or Tembo Trail?
KiwiBirb said:
You could Probably just turn around on Tembo Trail after the the HippoQuarium as the Devils and Hippos are the first 2 exhibits. The rest are mostly common species that I am sure you have seen with the exception of the Kodiak Bear, even with that they are a subspecies of bear I have seen at almost a dozen zoos.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, but elephants are one of the focal species for the Zoo Exhibitry class I'm taking so are a must-see, as are the great apes and tigers. Otherwise, I'd definitely consider your advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top