Do you love animals? Like seeing them in the wild?

Then you will love the Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio.  It is located on 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land.  It is non profit conservation center and  was developed to use as science, education and a great place to visit that has endangered species thriving.

We went to the Wilds in July of 2005.  Dave and I were dating at the time and we met some good friends who lived in Pittsburgh there.  The triplets were 4 1/2 years old and we also had one of my sons J who was 17 at the time and D was 11. With that wide age range – not any of us felt the tour did not apply for us. This is one of those things that you can say it is from young to old.

We found out that the Wilds and the Columbus Zoo are connected. We didn’t realize that before hand. But we ended up buying a year pass that was good at the zoo and the Wilds. I can’t remember for sure, but I think we paid $100 for it. It would have cost all 7 of us $80 to get in anyway without the yearly pass – so it just made sense.  Those prices are from memory – I might be off a bit. But I do remember that it was not much more to get the yearly pass for both places. It was kind of a no brainer.

There are open air buses and closed buses.  They leave like every 20 minutes for the tours.  Now… I have to admit that I am posting this very late in the year. Actually… their regualr tours finished touring Oct 31.

But…. they have winter safari tours.  These tours are on specific dates and you do have to make reservations for them.  You board a heated tour bus – you get a lunch included and they make an exclusive stop at the rhino management center (something I didn’t see). I think that sounds cool. Animals are much more active when it is cool outside… so chances are you will see a lot of activity.

I would recommend the Wilds for a fun family day. If you are able to get the yearly passes – I highly suggest that. I looked at the site and didn’t see any information on that, but I would check into if I were you. That is they way to go and then you can visit there and the zoo as many times as you want in 1 year.

July was really hot to go.. I suggest early morning or a cooler time of year (like now)
It is also a bit of a drive back in off I-70 to get to it as I remember. It is in southeast Ohio.   There also wasn’t (at the time..things may have changed in 5 years) any good places to eat that were near by. I think we had to get out to I-70 before we found someplace for dinner.

the Wilds
14000 International Road
Cumberland, OH 43732
phone: 740.638.5030
www.thewilds.org