Tuesday, August 20, 2013

8/20/13: Enjoy Zoo New England

I posted about Doc McStuffins Doc Mobile visiting the Franklin Park Zoo.  Now I wanted to focus on the Zoo part of that visit and other fun things going on at Zoo New England that you should check out before it is too late.  Plus, the Stone Zoo is the only zoo in the entire Northeast region where visitors can see koalas this summer!  Don't wait they are only there till Labor Day. 
First off lets start with some of the limited time areas you should visit now at the Franklin Park Zoo.  We love the Butterfly Landing which is only open through Labor Day.  Butterflies fly all around you while you walk through a beautiful environment.
My kids love this area.  The butterflies are so beautiful and you can see them up close.
This tented, outdoor seasonal exhibit also features several garden beds, a pond and soothing surround-sound music.  Please note: This exhibit is weather dependent   Check out these two ducks right next to two of the butterflies.
Another area the kids really enjoy is the Aussie Aviary.  There are hundreds of brightly-colored budgies. Budgerigars, affectionately called budgies, are also known as grass parakeets and are a variety of small slender parrots with long, tapering tails. 
You can buy a seed stick and feed the birds.  We always do this.  Sticks are $2 a piece.  Through Labor Day, Aussie Aviary is open 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. weekdays, and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekends. After Labor Day, Aussie Aviary will be open on weekends only through September.  
Plus there are Giraffe Encounters at the Giraffe Terrace located on the Giraffe Savannah will continue only through Labor Day. After Labor Day, the Giraffe Terrace will be open weekends only through October, weather permitting. Space is limited to 15 individuals. Guests may purchase tickets at the Giraffe Encounter gate, located past the Giraffe Savannah and across from Outback Trail. Participants must arrive 15 minutes prior to the encounter time. Each experience will last approximately 30 minutes. Please note: There is no advance registration and the encounters may be cancelled at any time due to weather or the animals’ needs. WHEN: 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. COST: $5.00 per person (first-come, first-served) 

Some other fun stuff is seeing the Prairie Dogs.  We spent a lot of time in this area as my kids love these guys.
There was a beautiful bird in with them too.
 Zebras are cool of course.
Another favorite of my kids is the Gorillas.  Who is checking out who???
 The kids loved this little baby Gorilla who grabbed this blanket and hid under it while walking.  They are still talking about it.
Of course the king of the jungle is always cool to see.
But the Zoo has so much more.  There is a new 6D Motion Theater.
The new playground is amazing!
 It is so beautifully done and my kids could have spent the whole day there.
 Amazing slides!
 Super cool!

 Lauren was having a ton of fun!
  You have to sit on the tractor.
Disclosure: I work with the Franklin Park and Stone Zoo promoting their events. I was provided tickets to the Zoo but no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

cool