No sweaty people in tank tops rubbing up against you at the lion cage. No toddlers dripping melted ice cream on your flip flops. Cool temps and few lines. We love the zoo during the winter more than any time of year.
Before we go, we read our favorite zoo book (yes, we have several).....
Caroline bought it for us from Anthropologie years ago and we've loved it ever since. Know what else Caroline bought for us? Our Zoo Membership as a house warming gift when we arrived in Kansas City. $70 for a year full of fun. To quote her exactly, "Best money I've ever spent because I know it will be used!" And, it has. We treasure it.
Took the kids out on Monday because we had temperatures above freezing (Go, Kansas, go!). Still bundled up and we kept busy to stay warm......and had a great time.
We're getting a new Polar Bear exhibit and it's going to be fabulous. The kids peaked in to see the progress.
It's coming together and it's going to be huge.
Lainey cradled her baby during the entire trip. Here she is rocking her while walking.
We checked out our koi pond.....frozen over.....and then found a zoo keeper to discuss where all the fish and snakes go. Remember this pond from the summer? The snake was balancing on the bushes? The children still remembered.
Winter brings all sorts of things to talk about.......why does this leaf melt the snow?
And, why can't I have these gorgeous curls and that gorgeous color? A 2 year old doesn't appreciate that! (Not part of the discussion......but something I wondered.)
Wide open exhibits. And, the animals are not in a heat coma......instead, they're usually roaming around putting on quite a show.
Picture of the week! (Puffy coats are super slimming, no? I feel like George Costanza.)
Sweet baby pig was inside staying warm cuddled up next to his blankets. Jack gags every time we have to go indoors to visit. He's stinky, but we love him. (the pig and Jack)
Inside the Tropics building. Jack flipped out over this bird who pecked at him through the glass. I just happen to catch it on film.
Later on, he tried to eat Carter.
"Him bite Yainey, too?"
"Yes, Lainey. He might bite you, too. Give it a try. That's a good girl."
We love, love, love the zoo. We walk and talk about the animals......there's always something to discover. As Paul Simon once said, "There's always something happening at the zoo."
I concur.
And, there are plenty of options for free visits if you don't have a membership. A few are listed below.
Denver Zoo
Milwaukee Zoo
Houston Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
St. Louis Zoo
Most zoos have significant discounts or free admission at one time or another and most often during off season......which is now.....not all advertise......call your local zoo to inquire.
29 comments:
While I do not like the zoo, I do love Lainey's coat! Only problem is that she looks so OLD. How did that happen?
Love the zoo!!! We have a zoo membership and we live 3 miles away. We can pop in for an hour if we want.
We have the most fabulous polar bear exhibit. You can walk UNDER the water and often the bears will swim right over you.
The piggy...awwwwww!
Looks like an amazing day.
You have inspired me to call my friend and try to round up some zoo goers for the day! I love the zoo!
What a fun outing with the kids! We live two hours from the closest zoo in Omaha. We have never gone in the winter months though.
Oh I miss them!! Him bite Yainey, too? Love when you reenact conversations with those goofballs.
Jack gags at the pig? I shouldnt be surprised, but it still cracks me up.
Miss sweet Carter. Love the one of him sitting patiently while the bird tries to eat him.
I'm jealous! I want to go to the zoo! The weather is perfect for avoiding all those disgusting things you mentioned first. EW.
That's it, we are going to the zoo today. Not really but you do make it look so fun. I will pass on the sweaty people during the summer, that's for sure. Gross. Much like we were last summer, :)
can you believe Charlotte doesn't have a zoo?
The nearest one is an hour and 1/2 away!
Puffy coats are warm for sure! And Lainey's coat is to die for--so cute!
We love the zoo here too. Ours even does lights at Xmas time.
You do not look like George Costanza...you look precious in your puffy coat. And I love Lainey's hat...she looks so darn cute in it.
Love the picture of Carter as the bird tries to eat him. He looks thrilled to be there. And Jack's reaction is great!
Glad you guys had fun.
Where in the world did you get Lainey's coat? That is adorable!!
Lainey's coat came from Old Navy. Bought if for $4 out of season a couple of years ago. I love it, too.....and want one in my size!
Sadly I have only taken Hagen to the zoo ONCE! Case, pick yourself off the floor now...
It was to meet Coco and Tessie Mays! So fun...hot...sweaty people...coco had BO, wait! Not her...some other girl...ya, it was some other girl.
Hagen LOVED it! Must.get.to.the.zoo...
I am a horrible mom - never taken the girls to the zoo but we are going next weekend. Bia has a birthday party to go to there and we are bringing Chatty along and making a family day of it. Should be fun!
Lainey looks adorable!!
We love the zoo, Ft Worth zoo rocks!!! And yes, the cooler weather is the prime time to go.
LOVE the curls!! I want some of them too!
We also love the zoo. We have on in Calgary, but have not ventured out there yet. Maybe we should since we also have above freezing temps. this week. I will look into it. We had a children's museum so close to us in San Francisco that we went to every week. So much to learn and do. Miss that!
The zoo is such a fascinating place for the little ones! You are awesome for taking them and talking to them about every little thing! Rock on mommy Casey!
Our zoo is in the white trashiest city ever. And I can say that because my parents are from Asheboro and while it's nice - we end up having more fun watching the people than the animals. Or David and I do. Lila appreciates the elephants. We had a membership and just didn't use it enough. It's a 1 1/2 away, but maybe we'll venture out in the cold (highs in the 50s is COLD for me!)
We have an amazing zoo in Fort Worth. Love to go there off season. Too hot to go to the zoo around here in the summer!
What great pics...I love zoos! I don't think I have ever seen a Polar Bear ever tho!
We love the zoo too! I love "Free" zoos... sometimes they just have deer and llamas, but they are still fun.
And you are totally right about the zoo in January. I think we might have to check out our local zoo too!
That's it. I'm going to try to pry the hubs away from work so we can hit up the Lowry Park Zoo this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!
That grey and green coat on her is beyond adorable!
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OMG. Why are your children so darn cute?
You are such a trooper! I think all passes are a great investment for your family. Lainey's hair. . . .too gorgeous for words(Oh-and that hat certainly helps highlight those gorgeous curls). The Saint Louis zoo is awesome and totally free. . . set in a beautiful park with a TON to do. Might be worth a trip for your family sometime.
What a fun winter day at the zoo! Cute pictures! We always go to the Omaha zoo either early spring or early fall! However, we go to our little local zoo several times throughout the year!
Ok, I had to go back and look at the pictures because the first time, I couldn't get past Lainey's hat and coat. Seriously, I want them both! So very precious!
Glad you all enjoyed the zoo!
I love love the zoo. I can't wait to take the kids again.
Looks like fun! We went in October, on a rather cool day, no lines, active animals, etc. I agree it is a great time to go. I've been wanting to go back since!
Puffy coat or not you are still getting in more pictures, way to go you!
I love the zoo too! We recently we to the Lincoln Park Zoo. A free zoo. Wow! What a great house warming gift for someone. I love that idea and I am stealing it.
we love the zoo in cooler months. it has been a little to chilly for baby christian to be out though! soon. in fact our membership expires next month and i am torn on what to do!
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