Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

I was planning on having the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as a Hidden Gem and no better time than while it is Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Week on Channel 3 News Today!

Each day this week the morning show has been live at the Zoo. We've been live at the TOUCH exhibit, which from experience, is awesome! We've also featured the marine animals such as the Polar Bears and Sea Lions. Then Maureen Kyle moved on to the Primate, Cat, and Aquatics Building. Everyday, we've had a whole slew of surprises and giveaways!

For you Facebook fans, add wkyc-tv as a friend and get a glimpse into the projects, including zoo week, that Channel 3 News and wkyc.com have in the works! Facebook and MySpace fans, you can also become friends with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo!!!!

I've been a member for years! We go every year. But what really got me interested many years ago is their Zoo adoption program. One year for Christmas, I bought everyone a Zoo adoption of their favorite animal! It was a great, unique gift. You get a certificate, oftentimes a stuffed animal and other perks as a Zoo parent. Such a gesture which helps a good cause!

You can easily spend an entire day marveling at the exhibits and the over 3000 animals and 600 species housed at the Zoo. Don't forget the Rainforest, which opened in 1992.

For a wonderful family outing, the Zoo is the way to go. Very affordable. There is a huge pavilion where families that pack a picnic can enjoy their feast! They also have specials. Each Monday residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Ohio get in for free! Of course, check the Zoo website for updates and changes.

Believe it or not, the Zoo used to be over in Wade Oval and actually was Wade Park back in 1882. Jeptha Wade donated 73 acres of land back in the day, hence the original name. When the City of Cleveland began visualizing plans for the Art Museum, the Zoo moved to its current location.

For those of you who like interactive events, the Zoo is chock full of them. There is the exhibit TOUCH! Amazing Rays and Sharks. It's a pool area which houses rays and sharks. You can actually pet/touch these creatures! Channel 3 has a Zoo Cam at TOUCH! Be sure to take a LOOK! It was such a thrill! You can ride a camel, which is also something I never thought I would ever do, but it was fabulous! The young kids (and older) love the petting zoo! There are certain times during the day when you can actually feed some of the animals. And on and on and on......

I really could drone on....so I just hope that you will not only log onto the Zoo website for more details.....and their pages on Facebook and MySpace....but please head to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo soon, and then you will surely see why they are my Hidden Gem this week!

Historical information Courtesy: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Website

Zoo pictures Courtesty: My day at the Zoo with my best friend!!!