Indiana Area Zoos

After last week's post, I knew I wanted to write a little something about the other zoos we visited this summer (and post photos).

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I am just drawn to zoos like a magnet.  Especially now with the kids.  While in Indiana this spring, awaiting our new housing situation, we visited:  the Fort Wayne Zoo (twice), the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Quick Facts:

Fort Wayne Zoo
Hours:  Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $13.50, Child (2-14) $8.50, 1 and under free
Parking:  Free and abundant
Rides:  Sky Safari, Train Ride, River Ride, Carousel Ride:  all $2.00; Pony Rides:  $5
Extra Info:  Bring Quarters for duck food, $1 to feed the giraffe, $1 to feed the goats; Get a ride pass to save a little bit on the rides

Best zoo around.  Seriously.  Recent changes to the safari take away a little of the magic from childhood, but it is still a beautiful zoo.  Feeding the giraffes is a new thing to excite little ones. 

Zoo on the first day of Spring!

 Zoo toward the end of spring!

Indianapolis Zoo
Hours:  Mon-Thurs, 9-5pm; Fri-Sun, 9-7pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $16.95, Child:  $11.95(free if your awesome in-laws have a membership you can get in with)
Parking:  $6.00
Rides: feed a giraffe, carousel, train, and roller coaster all cost $2.50.  $5.00 for the 4D theater (or get a ride pass to save a little)
Extra Info:  Get your tickets online and save a few dollars a person.

Dolphin show is unique, not found in many zoos.  Touch tank in Oceans exhibit lets kids get up close and personal.

Lincoln Park Zoo
Hours:  Varies throughout the year, about 7am-6pm
Admission Cost:  FREE
Parking:  located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive; anything over 30 minutes is $20 in the off-season, and $20-35 in the summer months
Rides:  Carousel tickets are $2.75, train tickets are $2.50
Extra Info:   Look into a membership to save on parking if you live close but not close enough

You can also stop at the free conservatory on your way in.  For being right in the middle of the city, this seemed to be a huge park.

 Eli's first time on a carousel!

Chi-ca-go! Navy Pier.

In addition to the Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier offers many other activities and sites for visitors.  A few we partook in included:

• Posing for photos at the end of the pier (with a big anchor)

• Watching all the boats and sailing vessels

• Walking through the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

This was his favorite one because he found the "big bad wolf" on it.

•  Taking a ride on the historic Ferris wheel

There are plenty of shops and eats typical to a boardwalk as well.  Even with a dreary/rainy start to the day, we thoroughly enjoyed strolling along the pier and all it had to offer.

Chicago Children's Museum!

I still have several posts to get to from our time in the Indiana area.  Here's one.

After my brother-in-law got married in Chicago, we finished out the long weekend by exploring the city.  I really haven't been to much at all in the city, so we headed down to Navy Pier to see what all the buzz was about that area.  Amongst other attractions there, was the Chicago Children's Museum.  This one was a bit pricier than some children's museum (about $14 a person), but once I got free admission by showing my teaching credentials that lowered the overall price a bit and was a nice surprise (police officers, fireman, veterans, and military can also score free tickets). 

Once inside, our crazy three year old was able to do what he does best-run around and get into everything.  The only hard part about this place was keeping everyone together (two kids, two parents, and two grandparents).

Theo acting like a vet for a pony in "Ready, Set, Pet"

And Eli acting like a pet.

Theo putting out fires in "Play it Safe"

Eli exploring buttons with grandma in "Michael's Museum".

Theo building with dada in "skyline".

Eli working hard to push the screws back in that mama pushes out in "skyline".

Eli really liked this part of the "Tinkering Lab" called the early learning nook.

There are several areas just for crawlers.

Theo loved the pretend car in "Kids Town".

And we basically had to pull him out kicking and screaming from the "WaterWays".  He definitely wasn't ready to leave and could have stayed and played all day.

The museum was very young-child friendly, with most of the areas designed for kids five and under.  However, some exhibits stretched their age threshold with specific adaptations for the older kids as well (the tinkering lab, climbing schooner, skyscraper challenge).

The whole place was also very friendly toward nursing mothers with specific locations for nursing throughout, which I definitely appreciated.

Overall, a very cool place.  It would not necessarily be my first stop on a Chicago visit (since most cities have similar children's museums nowadays), but if you have several days and want a place that is easy to take kids, I'd definitely recommend it.