Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121
Summer hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Special summertime activities (included with admission unless noted):

Jeff Corwin Audio Tours: Wildlife biologist and Emmy Award-winning TV host Jeff Corwin shares information about different species, their habitats and behaviors, their conservation status and ways that people can support wildlife conservation. See the Wild Adventures audio tour booth at the zoo entrance. $5 per person

Rhino Rescue 6D Adventure: A 6D motion simulator ride simulates a high-speed chase alongside park rangers in their pursuit of poachers. You’ll encounter elephants, wildebeest and other wildlife on your adventure to rescue and reunite a baby rhino with his mother. Riders see stereoscopic 3-D film through special glasses, and extra effects like seat motion, wind and light add new dimensions to the viewing experience. $5 person (a small percentage of each ride ticket purchased supports rhino conservation in the wild)

Butterfly Landing: Stroll through a tranquil environment filled with nearly 1,000 free-flight butterflies as well as Costa’s hummingbirds. The tented, seasonal, outdoor exhibit also features several garden beds, a waterfall and pond and soothing surround-sound music.

Meet the Giraffes! (Daily through Labor Day): Daily giraffe encounters at the Giraffe Terrace, located on the Giraffe Savannah, are scheduled at 11am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm. Purchase tickets at the Giraffe Encounter gate, located past the Giraffe Savannah and across from Outback Trail. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the encounter time; experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. Space is limited to 15 individuals and available on a first-come, first served basis. $5 per person

Enrichment Day, July 13, 10am-2:30pm: Have you ever wondered why some of the animals have balls, spinner toys and other items in their exhibits? This is called enrichment and it is an important part of caring for the animals at the zoo. Enrichment can be offered in a variety of different ways and zookeepers use novelty foods, sounds, smells, boxes, bags, and toys to provide activities that excite all the senses. Environmental enrichment encourages animals to use their natural abilities and behaviors to interact with their environment.

Free Fun Friday, August 2: Enjoy free admission to the Franklin Park Zoo as part of the Highland Street Free Fun Fridays program.

Kids’ Price First Saturday, August 3: The first Saturday of each month is Kids’ Price Saturday, and all visitors pay the kids’ price between 10am and 12n.

Stone Zoo
149 Pond Street , Stoneham, MA 02180
Summer hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Special summertime activities (included with admission unless noted):

Aussie Adventure (through Labor Day): Learn about wildlife from the land Down Under: koalas (the only zoo in New England that has koalas in the summer), kookaburra, tawny frogmouth and more! Be sure to take a stroll through the free-flight exhibit filled with brightly-colored budgies. Watch in amazement as the birds fly around you in this interactive experience. Purchase a seedstick and you may be lucky enough to have the birds land right on it!

Jeff Corwin Audio Tours: Wildlife biologist and Emmy Award-winning TV host Jeff Corwin shares information about different species, their habitats and behaviors, their conservation status and ways that people can support wildlife conservation. See the Wild Adventures audio tour booth at the zoo entrance. $5 per person

Masters of Flight: Birds of Prey Show (Daily through Labor Day): Features bird species from around the world, including a bald eagle, a red-legged seriema, a king vulture, a Eurasian eagle owl and a black vulture, in this engaging, memorable and educational experience for visitors of all ages. These birds will fly in from overhead and demonstrate natural behaviors including unique survival techniques and food foraging, as well as specialized physical adaptations. Daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Enrichment Day, July 27, 10am-2:30pm: Have you ever wondered why some of the animals have balls, spinner toys and other items in their exhibits? This is called enrichment and it is an important part of caring for the animals at the zoo. Enrichment can be offered in a variety of different ways and zookeepers use novelty foods, sounds, smells, boxes, bags, and toys to provide activities that excite all the senses. Environmental enrichment encourages animals to use their natural abilities and behaviors to interact with their environment.

Kids’ Price First Saturday, August 3: The first Saturday of each month is Kids’ Price Saturday, and all visitors pay the kids’ price between 10am and 12n.

Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
Hours: Open daily 9am-4pm

Roger Williams Park Zoo is located in Providence, RI amid a beautiful, 40-acre park setting. One of the oldest zoos in the country, the zoo has exhibits featuring animals from all corners of the globe: Australasia; Fabric of Africa; Feinstein Junior Scholar Wetlands Trail; Full Circle Farmyard; Hasbro's Our Big Backyard; Marco Polo's Adventure Trek; North America; and Tropical America.

Take advantage of special summertime activities:

Family Nights (July 13, 20, and 27): After the heat of a summer's day, cool off at the Zoo this July. The zoo doors stay open until 8:30pm (last admission at 7:30pm) for a twilight adventure the whole family can enjoy. Watch the elephants at sunset, or take a twilight tour of Tropical America. See the Zoo in a whole new light.

Animal Encounters (through September 2): Visitors can feed a Masai giraffe or a harbor seal, or enjoy a behind the scenes experience with one of the small animals featured in our education programs. Capacity is limited; sign up at Admissions. Five and older, please.

• Behind the Scenes ($10 per person): 11am Mon-Fri
• Feed the Giraffes ($20 per person): 2pm Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
• Feed the Seals ($20 per person): 2pm Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

Animal Birthday Party Clubs: Throughout the summer, the zoo hosts parties to celebrate the resident animals’ birthdays. The days include tasty enrichment treats for the animals and fun activities for humans. Upcoming parties: Red River Hog, July 25; and Masai Giraffe, August 8.

Free First Saturday, August 3: The first Saturday of the month is free for Providence residents.

Southwick’s Zoo
2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA 01756

Open daily 10am-5pm (mid-April through October)

Animals from around the world, educational and entertaining shows, kiddie rides, Skyfari Sky Ride, Bird Talk, Cool gift shops, wonderful concessions, a children's playpark, walk through 35 acre deer forest, and a petting zoo are all happening at Southwick’s Zoo. Good to know if you go on a hot summer day: the zoo area is mostly shady and there are two mist tents available.

Visitors have many options of things to do, including:

Daily animal shows: During the summer, daily shows bring visitors up close and personal with birds, peacocks, and reptiles - check the website for a complete schedule.

Rides: Children can choose from “mechanical” rides - Kiddie rides (Bear Affair, Frog Hopper, and Rodeo); the Jungle Boat, Woodland Train and SkyFari Sky Ride - and “live” rides - pony rides and camel rides. All rides are scheduled to run daily, but rides and shows may be canceled in the event of inclement weather). Separate fees apply

Giraffe Encounters (Sat-Sun, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm): Giraffe Encounters include A short presentation followed by the amazing experience of getting up close & personal to feed these beautiful creatures. Tickets are limited for Giraffe Encounters and can be purchased at the Main Entrance of the Zoo (first come, first served). $10 per person

New exhibits: Southwick’s Zoo has several new animals and exhibits to check out:

• Cheetah Exhibit, located next to African Plain: African Cheetha Kate and Logan are now in their permanent exhibit
• Sloth Exhibit, located next to the Chimpanzee Habitat near EARTH: A family of three two-toed sloths
• Scimitar Oryx Exhibit: A new arrival at the zoo, scimitar-horned oryxes are now roaming the African Plains with the zebra, water buffalo, and ostrich

Oh, and keep an eye out for the peacocks, which have free run of the zoo and often “greet” visitors at the front gate.

Photo by Fran Mandeville, courtesy of Stone Zoo