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!

Cooperstown, NY

Sunday and Monday we spent a packed two days in the quaint and beautiful little village called Cooperstown. Known as the baseball capital of the world, it was a perfect trip centered around this American pastime. My friend Mariah's little brother Walker was playing in a tourney at the Cooperstown Dreams Park, and we trekked up toward Albany to be a part of the action.

Our first stop of the trip was Brooks House of Bar-B-Que. We called ahead and grabbed take-out to eat on the picnic tables while Theodore continued to nap in the car beside us. I normally don't eat chicken off the bone, but this was excellent stuff. I liked that it was a dry barbeque, without the sauce, though Brian and I both agreed it would be good to have a little sauce to dip the breast meat in. This was one of many places we visited that Rachael Ray suggested in her Aug 09 magazine. That article alone was enough to get me up to Cooperstown.

Our first stop in Cooperstown itself was the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It seemed like we had to look all over town, but we eventually found a parking spot right behind the museum. I would definitely suggest looking into the park and ride trains or trolleys to avoid the parking issues next time. We had an enjoyable time here, as anyone who knows Brian knows how he can read every article in a museum and spend the whole day soaking up information. I had to drag him out of there so we could get to Cooperstown Dreams park for one of Walker's games. When we got there they weren't doing too hot, but they soon put Walker in to pitch and the Wizards won a great game.

The next day, after an early morning game, we headed to Brewery Ommegang to have a tasting of the Belgian brews, and enjoy the scenery. A free tour accompanied the tasting, though I was disappointed they didn't actually have the bottling going. I would have loved to see that. After trying all the brews, I was able to finally get a handle on just what kind of ales I like (and don't). I always end up asking Brian if I'll like something, because I can never remember all the different kinds. I of course liked their lightest beer Witte, but also enjoyed Rare Vos as a great drink, and appreciated the quadruple Three Philosophers, though that may be partly because she had us try it with a side of dark chocolate. I wasn't a big fan of the BPA or the Abbey Ale (maybe the licorice turned me off?), but would love to try their Hennepin with some roasted chicken.

From here we followed Rachel Ray's advice to Alex and Ika where I agree that the BST (bacon, spinach, tomato) is a great sammy, and the fingerling potato fries live up to their praises (the Chipotle Aioli Dip was to die for). The last establishment we visited was The Penguin, an ice cream shop that boasted "custom ice cream". They basically take regular hard ice cream and blend in your toppings, more like a DQ Blizzard than a Cold Stone Mix-In but still being hard ice cream, not soft. I had a cone with butter pecan though and thought it was pretty great.

We enjoyed one last game before we headed back from an awesome trip.