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| - We really loved this zoo. I was hesitant to go, since this zoo has been in the news - they are losing the AZA accreditation, and as a general rule I do not go to animal facilities that are not accredited. I left feeling that the animals are well cared for.
First off, my "home" zoo is the Philadelphia zoo, one of the premier facilities in the country, so most other zoos pale in comparison. Not the Pittsburgh zoo.
This is a very large zoo. We got there at 10 am and didn't leave until almost 3, which included a brief stop for lunch. We could have stayed longer had we fully explored all the children's playground areas. A stroller is a must, and for those who can't handle the long walk they even offer free tram service.
We picked up discount tickets at Giant Eagle and saved ourselves $2 a ticket. That said, with free parking, I thought the admission was reasonable, and actually cheaper than their contemporaries.
The zoo is laid out in one giant loop, themed by each area of the world. The natural landscaping gives the zoo a sort of wild appeal and it's easy to pretend you are trekking through a jungle to see all the animals.
We were fortunate to go during the week (I hear during the weekend it's a mob scene). This allowed us to have long clear views of each enclosure. Shockingly many of the animals were right up against the glass, which was equally thrilling for me as well as my toddler. We got up close and personal with leopards, monkeys and even a very large polar bear. It was very cool.
It was a particularly hot day when we went (92 degrees) but luckily this zoo has many indoor, air conditioned facilities including an interactive exhibit in the new Island area, the aquarium, the reptile house, and an area in Kids Kingdom. What this meant was we still had an enjoyable and cool time in spite of the heat.
There are interactive play features in quite a few areas of the zoo. Kids can crawl through an aquarium, or pop their heads up in a meerkat exhibit. There are also two large outdoor playground areas. One was shaded so we took advantage of that, the other was not so it was too hot for us.
Like most zoos there were small attractions scatter throughout. A highlight for me was the little log boat ride. Too adorable and for only $1 it was an affordable indulgence.
A new eatery opened this year called Jambo House. I was hoping for more exotic food, but the same fried American fare was featured. That said they also offered healthier options including tasty salads. The facility was gladly air conditioned and offered an awesome view of their African savannah including Giraffes and Zebras.
Another notable highlight is that you can feed the Giraffes here. We did not partake as we had fed them at another zoo earlier in the season, but for $5 it's a great and unique experience.
In all, adults and kids alike, had a wonderful time at the zoo. I would gladly return.
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