Zoos & Gardens

7 Best Zoos near Los Angeles: the LA Zoo Is Just the Beginning

Submitted by Li Starr on Sat, 08/24/2019 - 1:20am

Did someone say zoo? If your little ones have fallen for the non-stop furry cuteness of LA's petting zoos (and there are plenty in and around LA), there's a chance they're going to start thinking bigger. There are lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) to see at many zoos, and while petting is not recommended for most of the occupants (seriously, keep your kid out of the bear enclosure), young ones love seeing creatures live and in-person that they usually only read about in books. Here are some of the many zoos within easy driving distance. While the Los Angeles Zoo is naturally on the list, it's hardly the only game in town.

Making the Most of a Day Trip to Moody Gardens

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Tue, 08/06/2019 - 4:14pm

If you have taken a trip to Galveston you most likely passed the massive pyramids of Moody Gardens. The complex of museums, rides, and exhibits has enough to entertain kids of all agues! But Moody Gardens' many attractions can be overwhelming, so we've broken down what you can expect to see and do.

25 Things to Do With Kids in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 4:30pm

Expansive and diverse (much like Queens itself), Flushing Meadows Corona Park is arguably the main family attraction among many in Flushing. With so much to see and do here with kids—including the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, a zoo, a botanic garden, a carousel, an amusement park, and multiple playgrounds, plus the famous Unisphere fountains—it's more than a single-day excursion. So pick out a few things to do and save the rest for next time. My family has explored the park time and again, and there is always something new to see and old favorites to revisit.

Holiday Light Show Returns to the Bronx Zoo After 10 Years

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Mon, 07/29/2019 - 2:00pm

The Bronx Zoo, one of our favorite places in NYC to visit with kids and visitors, just announced that it will bring back its holiday light show for 2019, for the first time in more than 10 years. It’s never too soon to get excited about the holiday season in New York City, especially when the seasonal lights will be bigger, brighter, and greener than ever before. The Bronx Zoo will welcome families to its walk-through light experience starting November 21, 2019. Read on for more details and photos about the biggest holiday light show to come to NYC since, well, the tree.

Things to Do in Bronx Park with Kids: Playgrounds, Zoo, Gardens, Skate Park

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 07/29/2019 - 12:30pm

Bronx Park might not be the Boogie Down borough's largest park (that honor goes to Pelham Bay Park), but we think it probably has more fun kid stuff to do per square foot than any other. Bronx Park boasts 700-plus acres and features several of the city's top family attractions, including the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx River, and plenty of playgrounds, green space, and bike paths to keep kids entertained. The park is accessible by car or public transit, making it an ideal location for a day trip or afternoon outing, especially in the summer but really, anytime. Visitors might be surprised by just how diverse Bronx Park is, but locals know it's truly a hidden gem. Read on for the best things to do in Bronx Park with kids.

The Best Zoos and Aquariums in NYC

Submitted by Louise Finnell on Mon, 07/15/2019 - 3:00pm

Ever think you would spot a seal in Manhattan, or a giraffe in The Bronx? Did you ever hope you'd be surrounded by sharks at Coney Island? New York City zoos offer families the chance to get up close and personal with animals from all over the world. Each borough boasts its own unique zoo experience. Whether your children are big or small, there is a zoo somewhere in NYC suited to their age, interests and attention span. Best of all, access to these creatures doesn't have to break the bank. Free admission can be as easy as picking the right afternoon to visit. Check out our insider tips for making the most of New York City's zoos.

Houston Has a New Animal & Aquarium Adventure Coming to Town

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 9:14am

There's a new interactive animal experience, zoo and aquarium coming to Houston, and it's promising to be a wild ride for animal lovers of all ages. Houston Aquarium and Animal Adventure isn't just an animal sanctuary, it's a hands-on animal encounter opening plus inflatable play land plus obstacle course adventure opening in northeast Houston that will have you coming back repeatedly for more.

The Best NJ Zoos and Aquariums for Animal Encounters with Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Wed, 07/03/2019 - 12:00pm

Treat your kids to a real animal adventure at one of New Jersey's amazing zoos, aquariums, and animal preserves. At these day trip–worthy spots, little animal lovers can meet their favorite furry friend, check out exotic wildlife from other continents, or swim with the sharks (yes, really!). We've rounded up the best places in the Garden State for New Jersey kids to have an up-close-and-personal encounter with animals of every kind.