12 Animal Encounters and Petting Zoos Near Chicago

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm, Facebook

Whether you’re looking for adorable baby farm animals or even fully grown exotic animals, petting zoos near Chicago are your answer. From the city to the suburbs and southern Wisconsin, we’ve rounded up some of the best animal encounters, local farms, and petting zoos near Chicago. A few are even open for year-round fun!

For more animal and farm fun check out our list of the Best Zoos and Aquariums in Chicago for Kids and our picks for the Best Farms with Family Entertainment.

Go Strawberry Picking near Los Angeles: Family Farms Where Kids Can Pick Berries

Strawberries are that much sweeter when you pick them yourself. Photo courtesy of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Facebook

Strawberry picking means those sweet local berries will taste even better when you pick them yourself. There are several farms with strawberry picking near Los Angeles where families can play farmer for a few hours and come home with a basket overflowing with berries. The first ripe berry in Southern California tends to be a strawberry, and its harvest tends to be accompanied by popular annual festivals. 

Discover our favorite farms for strawberry picking, all on an easy day trip from LA. For more pick-your-own fun, here are places to go cherry picking with kids, beautiful sunflower fields for picking your own flowers, and our Pick Your Own Guide for the Best Farms Near Los Angeles

10 Drive-Thru Safaris and Wildlife Drives near Orlando

Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach is home to more than 900 animals, including giraffes, lions, and zebras. Photo courtesy of the park

Orlando and Central Florida residents are lucky to live among diverse wildlife and greenery. Explore these lush areas with a drive-thru safari from your car! Families can enjoy Orlando's wildlife regardless of weather or physical limitations. Wildlife drives offer safe ways to experience the outdoors.

Observe Orlando wildlife and even exotic animals from the convenience of your car. So, grab some snacks, load up the kids, and head out on one of these drive-thru safaris!

Best Strawberry Picking in Atlanta at Family-Friendly Strawberry Farms

Take home ruby red treasures at LCCL Strawberry Farm. Families will love strawberry picking as a fun spring activity!

It's time for strawberry picking in Atlanta! The season for u-pick strawberries is upon us and usually lasts through June. We have plenty of strawberry farms within driving distance of Atlanta that not only offer u-pick and pre-picked strawberries, but also activities like petting zoos, jumping pillows, and train rides. Strawberries are also the theme of some of our favorite spring festivals like the popular Georgia Strawberry Festival in Reynolds.

Check out the best places for Atlanta strawberry picking—all you have to do is throw the kids in the car...strawberry-themed outfits encouraged! 

23 Family Road Trips Under 10 Hours Away from Philly

Pack up the car and get ready for summer fun.

Taking a vacation with kids can be tricky, especially when it comes to traveling. Flying can be stressful and expensive, and if you're anything like me, it's your least favorite method of transportation even without kids.

Sometimes, half the fun and adventure of a vacation is getting there! Road trips can be a great way to bond with your family, so we've rounded up a few awesome places that are less than a 10-hour drive from the greater Philadelphia metro area. As an added bonus, you can travel to a few of these places by train, too!

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