The Seattle Traveler

Meet Me at the Zoo — Woodland Park Zoo

by Mary Jo on June 2nd, 2007

I love going to Woodland Park Zoo today, almost as much as I loved going as a kid.

The zoo has changed a lot. No more “keys” that you use to turn on an information recording. No more feeding the bears marshmallows or peanuts. No more small glass cages for BoBo the gorilla.

And while I’ve changed a lot as well, the same sense of enthusiasm and excitement that I have seeing the animals still comes over me. I want to see everything. I want to do everything. I can stand in front of an exhibit for an hour looking for an animal that has camouflaged themselves in their environment. And let’s not forget the “aaaah” factor of a cute little tiger cub.

It’s hard to know what will appeal to everyone at the zoo. So, I’ll just list some of the personal highlights of my day at the Zoo.

• Baby Tiger (aaaaah, she’s so cute)
• Giraffes (cute, and such expressive faces)
• Tapir (Do you know any other 4-year old whose favorite animal is a tapir?)
• Lions, and Tigers, and Bears (oh my)

There are lots of interactive exhibits, sure to be a hit with animal lovers of all ages: elephant talk, penguin feeding, giraffe feeding ($5 additional charge), Willawong Station where you can feed the birds ($1 for a feed stick), raptor show, and a play area similar to a rural African village. Through September 30th, there is also a conservation garden with nearly 1,000 free-flying butterflies.

Location: North 50th & Fremont Avenue North

Dates & Time: Daily, 9:30 am - 6 pm

Admission: $15 adults, $10 children 3-12, free for children under 2. If you’re going to go more than a couple times a year, consider an annual membership - you’ll come out way ahead.

Parking: Available onsite for $4, street parking also available.

What’s the best way to see the zoo? Here are my recommendations, honed from years of experience.

Timing can help you avoid the worst of the crowds. Midweek is best. So is earlier in the day, regardless of the day of the week. The animals tend to be more active earlier, so you can avoid the crowds and see more.

While you may have stamina to see everything in the zoo in one day, it’s unlikely that a younger child can keep up with you. And even if they can, if they are fussy and not enjoying themselves, what’s the point? One advantage of buying an annual membership (I have one) so that you can break the zoo down into manageable outings, seeing everything, but spacing it out.

Study the online map or the hard copy you’ll get at the zoo. Decide what you really MUST see, and go there first. Then get to the secondary exhibits on your list.

Check out the times for events, special feedings and shows to make sure you can take in the ones that are important. (Thumbs up on the giraffe feeding!) You can see the list here.

Relax, and throw your schedule out the window. They’re animals, and they can be pretty darn cute, but they don’t live on your time schedule. Don’t be in such a rush to see everything that you miss out on what’s in front of you. Like everything else in life — live in the moment!

Bring food. The zoo food is pretty awful, and very expensive. Pack a picnic, bring some snacks, or plan to eat immediately before or after your visit.

Photo credit: Personal collection

_____________________________________________________

Tags: animals, b5media, birds, city blogs, destination blogs, family travel, outdoor activities, Seattle, Seattle tourism, Seattle Traveler, The Seattle Traveler, travel, travel blogs, traveling with kids, vacation, Washington, zoos, Woodland Park Zoo

Share This

Related Stories

Photo Op: The Bald Eagle at Woodland Park Zoo
Join a Winter Celebration at Woodland Park Zoo
Stop by Woodland Park Zoo to Visit Tom, the Snow Leopard
Photo Op: For the Birds at Woodland Park Zoo
Photo Op: A Little Hippo Action at the Zoo

POSTED IN: Attractions, Family Fun, Great Places to Unwind, People Watching