The Woodland Park Zoo is situated in North Seattle, Washington. The zoo covers 92 acres of land and is home to more than 1,000 animals. The 92 acres are divided into bioclimatic zones, allowing animals to roam freely in the habitat areas. If you are looking for a park to take your family to, Woodland Park Zoo will not disappoint. There are many wonderful animal exhibits and plenty of things for everybody to see and do.
Animals
The park houses a variety of animals including giraffes, tigers, and gorillas. There are a number of incredible exhibits that you can see at the zoo. They include the African Savanna and Village, The Raptor Center, Tropical Asia, the Northern Trail, Bug World, Australasia, the Tropical Rainforest and the Humboldt Penguin exhibit. There is also a wonderful butterfly exhibit but it is only open from May through September.
Maps and Directions
The park is very large and it is easy to spend the whole day at this location. The zoo offers lots of maps with directions to help visitors navigate the area. Every guide is available in big print with easy to follow directions to all the different places the park has to offer. Some of the provided map tour options include an Art Tour Guide, a Monkey Tour and a Field Trip Guide.
Hand Carved Carousel
Woodland Park Zoo has a hand curved carousel that was made in 1918 by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The carousel of that has 48 hand-carved horses is regarded one of the best carousels left in the U.S. It is also among 150 carousels of its kind left in the world. It is housed in the pavilion to protect it from the elements. It is an excellent place to hold a party. The pavilion has two rooms that can be reserved for parties of up to 15 guests. In 2011, the park installed solar panels to power the carousel.
Concerts
If you love music, then this park will not disappoint. The zoo hosts a number of outdoor musical concerts throughout summer months, known as Zoo Tunes. The Woodland Park Zoo is also a wonderful place for beer and wine tastings with samples from more than 25 breweries and wineries.
Activities for Kids
Woodland Park Zoo is a great destination for families with kids. Though the zoo may not be the largest of all, it provides a day of fun that will not be forgotten. Zoomazium is great play area for children the ages of 2 to 8 to play. Also, there are play structures made to look like trees for kids to climb on. There are also many places to explore, special performances and various animals that you can pet. The zoo does offer an animal contact area full of farm animals. Guests are permitted to pet the goats and sheep during the summer months.
Camps and Classes
Woodland Park Zoo has camps for people of all ages. Whatever your interest is, there is something for everyone. Camp topics include Animal Architects, Animal Survival and Animals on the Fly to name a few. They offer zoo day camps to kids between the ages of three and fourteen. Camps go for half or full days and last up to 14 days. They also offer school outings and summer camps for teens. Woodland Park Zoo also hosts over-night escapades for both kids and adults to solve mysteries and learn how zoologists investigate animal behaviors during the night.
Food
With all the wonderful animals and scenery to enjoy with your family, a tour to the park can be a whole day escapade. There are a number of dining options for hungry guests. The zoo does offer snack carts and Woodland Park Zoo also has big open areas where you can enjoy a picnic-style lunch. Unlike other zoos, this location does not force you to purchase pricey food.
