The Zoo!

Our little family was in great need of some Daddy time and with word that the zoo was getting tigers, Josh took the day off of work and to the zoo we went! I have been going to our local zoo since before I can remember. I used to go every week when I was younger - that was the perk of only living a block away. John Ball Zoo has undergone many changes these past few years. They have expanded and improved their habitats, brought in a lot of fun, new animals and have thrown in a few hands-on experiences. If you've never been, John Ball is a smaller zoo that is perfect for younger children, although the rest of the family is bound to enjoy it as well.

The zoo's main attraction is the lion exhibit. You can even view their entire habitat from an observation deck that seems to touch the sky. Naturally, Mila loved the monkeys. The chimpanzees are next to the lions.You can view them from a bridge or get up close and personal from behind a large window in the tunnel. There are also camel rides, zip lines and their newest attraction - the Funicular. The Funicular is a little cable car that hauls you up the hill and drops you off at the top of the zoo. $6 for a round trip is definitely worth it if you are bringing a bunch of young or stroller-bound children.
John Ball also offers a petting zoo at their big red barn and a baby goat petting area across from the baboons. Mila really loved both of these areas and tried to snuggle and kiss on every sheep in sight! My favorite attractions were the trail up to the zipline - it is a wooded trail lined with parrots and owls and ends with a wooden train that children can climb on - and the string rays. They've had the string ray pool for awhile but for whatever reason, we usually skip it. We shelled out a whole $2 ($1 a person, kids under 2 are free) so Josh and I coukd pet them. A baby sting ray had been born a few months earlier and was the star of the show! He was gliding back and forth, rubbing against everyone's hands and popping out of the water to say "Hello!". It was an amazing experience and I definitely recommend trying it!
If the zoo just wasn't enough, there is a park and playground a few feet away from the entrance. We had lunch here before our adventure but went back to swing afterwards. It was such a great day and we all were tuckered out. On the first of August, they are having a Kid's Day sponsored by WGVU and admission is only $1! You should take advantage of this special and go enjoy the zoo! Maybe you'll be luckier than we were and the tigers will be there this time!