There’s so much to do and see in and around Maumee, Ohio. Check out our list of three favorite nearby activities that are perfect for families as well as anyone else looking to have fun!
Toledo Zoo
Meet 720 different species of animals at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. Visitors can learn about the zoo’s emphasis on conservation and its participation in more than 80 species survival programs. Guests can also participate in interactive experiences like a touch tank and live dive feeding demonstrations at the aquarium. Visit Penguin Beach, an outdoor exhibit with an underwater viewing area featuring African penguins. Families will also love the Reptile House, Tiger Terrace, and Tembo Trail, which features elephants, hippos, and many other species.
During the holidays, check out The Lights Before Christmas. The annual event, founded in 1986, features more than a million Christmas lights decorating the Zoo’s trees and buildings. The celebration also features model trains from the Swanton Area Railroad & Model Club, an Arctic Blast game, a winter village with ice bumper cars and an ice slide, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself! At the center of The Lights Before Christmas is the “Big Tree,” 85-foot tall spruce decorated with 35,000 LED lights, as well as the Dancing Northern Lights show, which takes place several times each night in Cheetah Valley.
Toledo Botanical Garden
Toledo Botanical Garden is a free public garden that is open all year during daylight hours. The garden’s mission is to inspire interest in stewardship of nature and horticulture. It is home to an urban agriculture center that hosts more than 125 community gardens, giving community members access to homegrown produce. The Toledo Botanical Garden offers more than 60 acres of gardens and plant collections.
Head to the Botanical Garden the last full weekend of June every year for the Crosby Festival, northwest Ohio’s premiere fine arts festival. Supported by the Ohio Arts Council, the Festival features artwork from over 200 local artists.
Imagination Station, Toledo Science Center
The Imagination Station makes science, technology, and engineering accessible and fun for everyone in the family with hundreds of interactive exhibits. Kids can draw their own animated cartoon, design a building to withstand an earthquake, and create a car to race down a track.
Kids will also love exploring the IDEA Lab at the Imagination Station. The IDEA Lab is a three-level experience with a mix of workshops, permanent features, and activities that rotate throughout the year, meaning that you’ll have a new experience each time you visit. Lucas County residents always get a $2 discount on admission, and admission is free on Saturdays for Lucas County kids 12 years and under. The KeyBank Discovery Theater, slated to open in spring 2020, will offer a uniquely immersive experience for visitors.
There is a lot to explore for Maumee families. Whether you want to learn more about science, stroll beautiful trails outdoors, or interact with cool animals, this area has something for you and your family.
Image from Pixabay
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