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The Wilds — Petting Zoos in Columbus

The Wilds

4.8(3,588)4.8 out of 5 stars, 3588 reviews Columbus, OH

About The Wilds

The Wilds offers a unique and immersive experience for families, allowing close interaction with exotic animals like rhinos and giraffes, combined with well-organized tours led by knowledgeable guides.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Birthday celebrations for animal enthusiasts.Families looking for educational outings.Visitors interested in unique wildlife experiences.Toddlers to teens (ages 3-16) enjoy hands-on animal interactions.Adults appreciate the educational aspect and unique experiences.

Why families love it

  • Small tour groups (around 7 people) enhance personal interaction and learning.
  • Opportunity to feed and pet animals, including rhinos and giraffes.
  • Friendly and informative staff, particularly noted guides like Trina.
  • Diverse tour options, including winter and behind-the-scenes experiences.
  • Interactive animal experiences that cater to animal lovers.
  • Educational tours that provide in-depth knowledge about the animals.

Insider tips

  • Book tours in advance, especially for popular experiences like the Wildside Tour.
  • Consider visiting during peak season for a fuller experience with more animals available.
  • Bring a camera to capture memorable moments with the animals.

Good to know before you go

  • Visiting during off-peak seasons if you want to see all attractions open.
  • Busy weekends when the crowd level may increase.
  • Some attractions may not be fully operational during off-peak seasons.
  • Limited food options on-site were not mentioned, which may require planning.
Crowds
Can get busy on weekends and during peak seasons, which may affect the experience.
Value
Pricing for tours is not explicitly mentioned, but experiences are described as worth every penny, suggesting good value for interactive and educational experiences compared to traditional zoos.
Food
No specific food or drink rules mentioned, but parents should check in advance.
Safety
Guides are noted for their attentiveness and safety awareness during tours.

What parents say

j m
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Boy oh boy was the Wilds wild. We took a trip for a birthday celebration to the wilds and it was absolutely wonderful. The whole day and experience was excellent. They run a very well put together tour experience and greeting center and gift shop. We didn't use any of the overnight options but I am sure they are phenomenal. Definitely discussed coming back and staying on property. Any tour you choose you will be delighted with. Also they have a good crushed penny machine and books for sale."

4 months ago

Steven Lam
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Wifey and lil man love the show - secrets of the zoo and have wanted to come here for a while. Well we did the winter wildside tour and it was great! We got to see some of the animals they keep in the barns during the colder months. And the coolest had to be the rhinos and the giraffes. Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be feeding and petting rhinos!!!! It was a small tour, about 7 of us. And the guide was super friendly and informative. Definitely would love to come back for a summer tour in the future."

2 weeks ago

Ash Bloomingdale
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Took my daughter for the Winter Behind the Scenes Tour and had a great experience. Got to pet and feed rhinos, feed giraffes in the barn and watched them get trained, and meet a very curious ostrich. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, will be back."

3 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.