The Toledo Zoo
The top tourist destination in Toledo is the Toledo Zoo. There is a good reason for that, with over 760 species and 5,300 animals the Toledo Zoo in one of the worlds most complete zoos.
Ordinarily, admission is $10.00 for Adults and $7.00 for children (aged 2 to 11) and seniors (age 65+). Children under 2 and members get free admission. Lucas County residents get in free every Monday between 10:00AM and Noon. Must have picture ID and it does not apply to holidays that fall on Monday. Parking is $5.00.
Toledo Area Metroparks
With eleven parks in the Toledo Metropark system there is a variety of activities, presentations and trails to keep your family moving for a day.
Wildwood Park features the Oak Gove school house, a Victorian farmhouse, a Georgian style manor house, formal gardens, playground and many walking trails.
Providence Park showcases working remnants of the Erie Canal system, including mule drawn canal boats, a working lock and guides in period dress. The water powered Isaac Ludwig Mill grinds grains and saws logs, as well as hosting historical demonstrations and the Mill festival every July.
Named one of the 200 “Last Great Places on Earth” by the Nature Conservancy, the Oak Openings Preserve is named for the unique ecosystem it inhabits. With 3743 acres it is largest metropark in existence and has over 50 miles of trails and is home to over 180 rare animal species.
Toledo Museum of Art
Founded in 1901 and recognized as one of the nation’s finest collections, the Toledo Museum of Art has over 30,000 works of art and an outdoor sculpture garden. Located west of Toledo’s downtown business district, the Toledo Museum of Art is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, admission is free and parking is $3.00.
SS Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship
SS Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship at International Park is the largest museum ship on the Great Lakes. She held the crown of Queen of the Great Lakes from her launch in 1911 until 1914. The bulk freighter was retired in 1980 and opened as a museum in 1987. Open 7 days a week from May 1st to Oct. 31st admission is $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors, $4.00 for students 16 and under and pre-school children are free.
Toledo Firefighters Museum
House in Old Fire House No. 18 the Toledo Firefighters Museum features a vast collection on the history of the Toledo Fire Department and antique fire fighting equipment, including the original 1837 pumping machine the Neptune. Open Saturdays from 12 to 4, admission is free.
The Toledo Botanical Gardens
With over sixty acres of display gardens, ponds and sculptures the Toledo Botanical Garden is an amazing place to spend an afternoon with the kids and your camera.
The TBG is also home to the Peter Navarre cabin and many Resident Organizations including groups dedicated to photography, pottery, horticulture and glass blowing.
Garden hours are 8:00am to 8:00pm April-September and 8:00am to 5:30pm October-March. Admission is free, except during some special events.
The Wolcott House Museum Complex
The Wolcott House Museum Complex features six buildings built from 1827 to 1901. The original Wolcott house which began as half story log cabin and was transformed to Federal style house with 14 rooms was the residence of shipping entrepreneur James Wolcott and his wife Mary Wells Wolcott.
Other buildings later moved to the site include an 1850 log cabin, a Gothic style church build in 1901 and 1880 railroad depot with boxcar and caboose. Guided tours are available at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. April to December, Thursday through Sunday.
