Zoombezi Bay is a waterpark located next to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that is definitely worth checking out!
As Ohio’s largest waterpark, you’ll find plenty of things to do for all ages.
What’s even better is that your admission to Zoombezi Bay gives you access to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium next door during the day of your visit.
Thanks to Experience Columbus for assisting with portions of our visit. This article contains affiliate links.
We decided that Zoombezi Bay would be a fun addition to our afternoon itinerary after we visited COSI during a mother/son road trip to Columbus, Ohio.
On a hot summer day, I want to be as close to the water as possible. An afternoon at Zoombezi Bay provided everyone with the best of both worlds with the perfect combination of relaxation and play.
My son enjoyed time with his friend on the waterslides, and I enjoyed spending time relaxing at our own pace with his mom. (I did fit in a few thrill waterslides too.)
Fantastic Waterslides
One of the first things that I noticed at Zoombezi Bay was the numerous types of waterslides that offered some sort of thrill element.
There were still plenty of waterslides that were family friendly, and many of the waterslides had options for single or multi riders if you wanted to share the adventure.
You can bring a cooler
You can’t bring a cooler inside the waterpark, but just outside the waterpark entrance, the “Cooler Cove” parking area is designated for coolers and located near a picnic area.
This saves you a lot of steps back to the parking lot and provides an affordable option for budget-minded guests.
Hard-sided coolers are not allowed inside the park, but small soft-sided lunchboxes are permitted that do not exceed 10 inches wide by 12 inches long when full.
*Each guest can also bring a 20-oz beverage and a small snack into the waterpark, which is rare and refreshing.
There are several restaurant options onsite if you would prefer to purchase food inside the park. Keep in mind that the waterpark is cashless, and plan ahead.
Extra Value For Your Zoombezi Bay Admission
Zoombezi Bay admission includes admission to the Columbus Zoo on the day of your visit.
Visit the zoo in the morning and then head over to the waterpark in the heat of the day, or purchase a multi-day ticket for a greater value and 2 days of fun.
There is also a discounted entry for after 4PM.
There are plenty of lounge chairs
We discovered plenty of seating options available when it came to lounge chairs inside the waterpark, which was a welcome surprise. There are 18 shaded lounge chair areas in the waterpark for guests to relax out of the sun.
We decided to keep our valuables in the car after I took pictures. There are plenty of lockers available for rent if you do want a secure option for your valuables inside the waterpark.
I’m also a fan of the Aqua Vault portable safe that can be attached to a lounge chair for cell phones, wallets, and car keys.
There are several age-appropriate areas to choose from, depending on the age and swim level of your family, which provides something for everyone.
The water basketball tends to be a popular feature for my boys, along with the racing mats and tube slides.
You can swim in the Lazy River
The Roaring Rapids Action River has its own wave generator, which makes this lazy river even more fun.
Kids will also appreciate that they have the option to sit inside a tube or swim, but kids under 48” need to have a life jacket if they are not accompanied by an adult.
Adult Only Lazy River – Croctail Creek & the Sandbar
I love spending time in the lazy river, but what doesn’t make it lazy is dodging the water that is spraying at guests throughout the river, while dodging kids.
For a truly relaxing lazy river experience, visit the “adult only” section called Crocktail Creek for ages 21+, which is free of spraying water and kids.
As a bonus, you can purchase an adult beverage at Crocktail Creek and take it with you while you float, and the water in the 700-foot-long lazy river is heated.
We loved that Zoombezi Bay offered this option for guests so much that we enjoyed a few trips around Crocktail Creek.
The Sandbar has a swim-up bar and a heated lounge pool with in-water seating, providing vacation vibes.
Conservation Tower
Conservation Tower opened in 2025 and is the newest attraction at Zoombezi Bay that has three first-of-their-kind waterslides.
Each waterslide also has a connection to conservation.
Special Events at Zoombezi Bay
Make sure you check the event calendar before you visit the waterpark because there are extended hours from time to time.
During our visit, there was a movie night scheduled at the wave pool that allowed guests to stay longer than regular hours.
Zoombezi Bay really does a fantastic job of appealing to all ages, swim, and thrill levels with or without kids. I would highly recommend adding this waterpark to your list.
You can learn more from the Zoombezi Bay website.
Where We Stayed – Drury Inn
6170 Parkcenter Circle, Dublin, OH
We opted to stay at the nearby Drury Inn in Dublin because of its close proximity to the Columbus Zoo.
It’s added value of complimentary hot breakfast, a 5:30 pm kickback with free evening drinks and snacks, and free popcorn and soft drinks in the lobby from 3-10pm.
If you are traveling with kids with big appetites, those additional meals can be a real cost saver.
The boys and I also enjoyed burning off some calories during a morning swim at the indoor/outdoor pool before we left for the Ohio State Fair.
Stop for a Sweet Treat
No visit to the Columbus area is complete without a visit to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. This time, we stopped at the location in downtown Dublin.
Jeni’s offers creative flavors from high-quality ingredients. You are encouraged to sample lots of flavors as you decide your favorite.
Many of the ice cream flavors pair well together, so make sure that you ask the employees for their recommendations.
Unique Roadside Attraction Nearby
On our way over to Zoombezi Bay from the hotel, we passed the “Field of Corn” art installation located at 4995 Rings Rd, Dublin.
We couldn’t resist stopping for a quick photo op with a backdrop of 109 concrete ears of corn.
