The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more.
Here are the winner and finalists in the “best animal encounter” category.
Click here to view winners and finalists in all 30 categories.
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre zoo divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The RainForest, and Asian Highlands. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America. The zoo features 3,000 animal residents representing more than 600 different species.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
216-661-6500
clevelandmetroparks.com
Finalists:
Akron Zoo
There are seven exhibits to explore: meet big cats in Legends of the Wild, hear the growl of bears at Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge, bask in the beauty of hundreds of plants and flowers at Lehner Family Zoo Gardens, visit owls at the Wild Prairie, get nose-to-nose with the world’s largest lizard at Komodo Kingdom, peek at cute penguins at Penguin Point, and get up close with different creatures at Curious Creatures.
500 Edgewood Ave., Akron
330-375-2550
akronzoo.org
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a working farm and education center in Kirtland, Ohio. Opened in 1990, the farm is located on 235 acres with fields, gardens, and standard farm buildings, devoted to agriculture and farming. Farmpark features dairy cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, horses, alpacas, and goats, a plant science center, farm machinery exhibits, playground and more. Horse- or tractor-drawn wagons provide visitors rides to all destinations throughout the park.
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland
440-256-2122
lakemetroparks.com