Staycation Directory

Archive for the ‘Ohio’ Category

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio: A Trip to Remember. No matter what age you are, the zoo is a fun and exciting place to visit. From the lions to the aquarium there is so much to see and do that you can spend a whole day at the zoo and not run out of things to do. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio is a zoo that offers things for visitors of all ages to enjoy.


Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & The RainForest are open all year except January 1 and December 25.
Hours:

* Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* The main gate opens at 9:30 a.m.
* The Zoo Box Office closes at 4 p.m.
* Memorial Day through Labor Day, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the Zoo and The RainForest remain open until 7 p.m. and Zoo Box Office closes at 6 p.m.

For weekly exhibit updates, please see our online Virtual Tour.

Zoo & RainForest Admission

Tickets & Fees:
Nov 1, 2009 -Apr 2, 2010
Apr 3, 2010 – Oct 31, 2010

Adults (12 & older) $7.00 $10.00

Children (2-11) $5.00 $7.00

Children under 2 FREE FREE

On Mondays, the Zoo (not including The RainForest) is FREE for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township.
* From Memorial Day through Labor Day, if Monday is a holiday, discounts apply on Tuesday instead. If you qualify for free Zoo-only admission on Mondays, tickets for The RainForest may be purchased at the following rates: Adults (12 and older) are $5.00, Children (2-11) are $3.00, and Children under 2 are free.

*To confirm your residency, bring photo ID or utility bill with current Cuyahoga County address with another form of ID.

The following discounted admission is also available:

* Cleveland Zoological Society members receive free admission to the Zoo (membership benefits)
* Members of reciprocal zoos receive free or discounted admission to the Zoo and The RainForest for everyone listed on the membership card

Important Admission Information:

* Parking is FREE

* Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted at the Box Office, as well as cash or check. The Zoo’s main gift shops (Machaba Curios in the Welcome Plaza and The Market in The RainForest) accept Visa, Master Card, American Express or cash (no checks). Food vendors only accept cash.

* There are three ATM’s available:
o at the Ticket Plaza
o in The RainForest
o at the Roaring Lion Café

* A playground is located near the Primate Cat & Aquatics Building.

* Coolers and picnic baskets are allowed on Zoo grounds. Skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, pets and grills are prohibited. Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.

* For the safety of the animals, the Zoo does not provide straws or drink lids. Help us maintain a healthy, positive environment – please do not feed or tease the animals. Keep our waterways clean and safe for the animals. Don’t throw objects including coins in the water.

* ZooTrams and wheelchair accessible trams run daily FREE of charge. Enclosed, heated ZooTrams run during the winter when it’s really chilly.
Great Deals – Coupons & Discounts

The Cleveland Plus Pass
Save time and money. Experience as many Northeast Ohio attractions as your time and personal interests allow. Plus Passholders save at least 30% off of general admission ticket prices. Get your Cleveland Plus Pass TODAY!

Good Any Day coupons:

* AAA (must purchase at AAA office). Coupons are for $1 off regular summer admission prices. Phone 216-606-6225 or 800-711-5370.
* Cleveland Metroparks online store. Delivered in 2 weeks or less. Shipping charged.
* Acme Fresh Market Cardholders. Visit your local Acme store for details. Must be purchased at Acme store when you show your card. Valid through 2008.
* Discount Drug Mart. Coupons are for $1 off regular summer admission prices. Available at select locations. Visit your local Discount Drug Mart store for details. Valid through 2009.
* Many companies offer Good Any Day coupons through their Human Resources department for $1 off regular admission prices. They must be purchased through your HR Dept. Call 216-635-3389 for more information.

StaycationDirectory

Staycation Definition and History
A staycation (also spelled stay-cation, stacation, or staykation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2009 in which unemployment levels and gas prices were high.Staycations also became a popular phenomenon in the UK in 2009 as a weak pound made overseas holidays significantly more expensive.The term was added to the 2009 version of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.
Benefits of a staycation
Staycations are far less costly than a vacation involving traveling. There are no lodging costs and travel expenses are minimal. Costs may include transportation for local trips, dining, and local attractions. “The American Automobile Association said the average North American vacation will cost $244 per day for two people for lodging and meals… Add some kids and airfare, and a 10-day vacation could top $10,000″. Staycations do not have the stress associated with travel, such as packing, long drives, or waits at airports. Staycations may be of economic benefit to some local businesses, who get customers from the area providing them with business. In 2008, the tourism bureaus of many U.S. cities also began promoting staycations for their residents to help replace the tourism dollars lost from a drop in out-of-town visitors.