Columbus Zoo for Zoo Lights? Anyone been?

[roliepolieoliefan]

Thinking of taking a drive to Columbus next weekend for the zoo lights.
Our zoo doesn't do it anymore.
Anyone ever been?
Is it worth it?
We are about 3 hours away.

 

[footballmouse]

If you want to drive a little further south, you can come down to Cincinnati and go to our zoo's festival of lights. It is rated the best festival of lights in the country. It's pretty amazing.

 

[Tiffylv]

.

 

[design_mom]

I'm near the Columbus Zoo and their Wildlights display is pretty impressive. It's a family tradition here. (I have not been to Cincinnati's Zoo Lights to compare.) There are millions of lights, including some that are synced to music. There's also hot chocolate/wassail, Santa, cookies, model trains, etc.

The indoor animal exhibits are open, but the outdoor exhibits are not lighted so most of those animals are either off-exhibit or difficult to see. You really go for the lights, not the animals.

The only thing I'll mention is that they are currently predicting rain here for next weekend. The temperature is predicted to be unseasonably warm, but wet. The lights will be on rain or shine, but the weather might not be the best. (Or maybe they'll change the forecast by then. You never know around here!)

 

[Vaughn4380]

We live near the Columbus Zoo and visit the lights each year. That said, I am not sure they are worth a three hour drive (six hours round trip?). I mean, they are nice, but not "spend the whole day in the car" nice. Plus they close a lot of the animal exibits at night due to the animals' schedules (feeding, care, etc.). So you won't get to see half of the animals you would expect to see at a zoo.

 

[SanderMC]

We go every year but my parents live about 45 min to an hour a way. We all really enjoy it. It is true that you don't get to see as many animals but it does make for a good time that holds special memories. However, I don't know if it's worth driving 3 hours for. I could see if you wanted to make it a day trip - either go to the zoo early and see the animals or do something else prior to heading to the zoo to see the lights. I mean we always did day trips to King's Island and Cedar Point and those are each about 2.5 hours away.

 

[minniebeth]

We live close to the Columbus Zoo and very much love Zoo Lights! Not only the lights, but the lay out of the zoo makes for a great outing. My DD goes to school in Cincinnati and just went to the zoo lights there this past weekend. I asked her how she liked the lights there and said they were wonderful, but of course, she was partial to Columbus', since that is 'home' to her.
It's hard to say if a 3 hour ride is worth it, but I would say yes, only because we travel often to see and do new things as a family often. They definitely make a great and festive night out that can make great memories!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We will stay overnight plus we have a friend in grove city we'll probably meet up with too.
All the replies have been so helpful thank u

My neighbor brought up the Toledo zoo which looks fun too