Dallas Zoo

I’ve been slacking and now I’ve enlisted help! Note that my last entry referred to our Korean student. Well, returning to teenager-parenting slowed down my blogging regularity. But she’s in Korea for the summer, so back to the keyboard!

This post is a guest entry from my daughter Bonnie. I’m including some of the awesome pictures she and husband Chris took. Enjoy!

Which Zoo?

“Let’s go to the zoo!”

It’s summer, and time to think of things to do with the kids. The zoo sounds like fun, but it’s hot, and you’ve heard from everyone who knows anything that of COURSE the Fort Worth Zoo is the best. But who wants to drive out to Fort Worth in this heat?

I’ve got news for you – Dallas has taken up the zoo-experience gauntlet and is truly now the place to be. The Giants of the Savannah section that they’ve been advertising so heavily really is as impressive as it seems (and don’t miss feeding the giraffes!), with large, realistic habitats and lots of viewing areas. The older section is pretty great, too – it’s always been beautiful, and moving the elephants and lions has given the zoo some space to spread out.

The most important difference, though, between the Dallas and Fort Worth zoos, is air conditioning. The Dallas Zoo has several very comfortable (and non-commercial – you don’t have to buy lunch, or feel like you should, to sit) air-conditioned seating areas. They double as classrooms, so they may be occupied occasionally, but when they’re open they have great views of the areas they’re located in (one in the Giants of the Savannah exhibit and one overlooking the gorilla exhibit near the tunnel) and pleasant couches and chairs.

Next time you’re deciding which zoo to go to, and wanting to beat the heat, check out the Dallas Zoo. You won’t be disappointed.

DFW Attractions Pass

I have suggested this for a long time and it’s now available! For one price, you can buy a 2- or 3-day pass to seven Dallas Fort Worth area attractions and get discounts on even more. (I’m breaking my no-Ft. Worth rule here, but it’s a great package.) You can visit places you know you want to see and check out some that you might not otherwise try. Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Zoo, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Southfork Ranch of Dallas TV fame, plus 3 major attractions in Arlington and Fort Worth all for $29-$59. You also receive discounts for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Tussaud’s/Ripley’s, and the National Scouting Museum in Irving. Take a local vacation this summer or entertain out-of-town guests at the best places on both sides of the Metroplex! Order yours here. Where else can you get art, elephants, bowling and cowboys all for one ticket?