CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is entering spring at the top of the list as it captured the Best Botanical Garden title in the USA Today 10Best 2026 Readers’ Choice poll.
The zoo also earned the No. 3 spot in the poll’s Best Zoo category.
“This honor is a testament to the incredible dedication of our horticulture team,” said Steve Foltz, director of horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo. “Every garden path, every bloom and every green space is designed to inspire our guests and connect them more deeply to the natural world.”
The zoo said prominent seasonal displays helped the gardens stand out, such as the tulip blooms during Zoo Blooms coming up next month.
“We’re also quite proud of our annual displays and plant trials program,” said Foltz. “We partner with breeders, growers, nurseries and garden centers to assemble recommended plant lists for public and industry use. To most visitors, the takeaway is an appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them and a sense of well-being. There’s more going on, but we’ll take that!”
Cincinnati Zoo’s horticulture team works with the plant division at its Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife to propagate and preserve endangered plants, often growing plants in its nurseries to plant back into the wild.
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