What child isn’t wowed by majestic giraffes, vibrant flamingoes, and swinging monkeys? With an opportunity to see all these wild creatures and extra, a visit to Turtle Again Zoo in Essex County is pure household enjoyable. Not solely is the zoo chock filled with animals to watch, nevertheless it’s additionally manageable sufficient for this #NJMOM to fly solo on an outing with three little ones. This zoo is a real New Jersey gem and nicely well worth the experience, even for those who’re not native to Essex County. Learn on to study my household’s must-see displays and what makes this zoo certainly one of our favourite household locations. (featured picture credit score: @f.a.n.n.y.c.h.a.n)
What we did at Turtle Again Zoo in New Jersey
Admire the gorgeous in pink flamingos up shut. Photograph Credit score: @peipeisophia
Flamingo enjoyable
We at all times begin on the flamingo exhibit as a result of my children prefer to see the flamingos up shut and actually try their distinctive options. As we made our manner over there, a roaming peacock brushed previous us, which was tremendous cool, in accordance with the children (and might make an awesome picture op). From there, we headed previous the restaurant (extra on that in a bit) and regarded on the prairie canine. It’s at all times a primary spot—you may hear children laughing as they watch the prairie canine dig and scurry by means of the glass tunnels.
See these larger-than-life creatures up shut on the Turtle Again Zoo in West Orange. Photograph Credit score: @f.a.n.n.y.c.h.a.n
Giraffes, lions, and massive cats reign at Turtle Again Zoo
Maybe the largest attraction on the zoo is the newer African Journey part, the place Masai giraffes roam and chill out, surrounded by different pals, together with majestic lions and entertaining hyenas. There’s a giraffe feeding for a further cost, and it allows you to hand feed the giraffes (although no touching or petting is allowed). The giraffe part closes seasonally resulting from climate circumstances, however you’ll absolutely see them in hotter temperatures. Afterward, we checked out the lions and hyenas and headed to the Shores of Africa, an indoor house the place you may watch African penguins splash and swim.
Wonderful Asia is one other must-see exhibit, dwelling to 2 scarce species — the Amur leopard and Pink Panda. Snow leopards and lovable gibbon apes additionally name this exhibit dwelling. Over in Huge Cat Nation, jaguars and cougars roam all through their 7,500-square-foot habitat and breeding space. Chances are high you’ll spot them hanging out by the window since heated rocks are adjoining to the massive glass home windows and viewing areas or taking a dip within the jaguar pool. In Huge Cat Nation, we like the unimaginable friendship between one of many cheetahs, Nandi, and her canine pal Bowie. The 2 have been raised collectively since they have been cubs, are greatest pals, and might usually be seen working and enjoying video games with some zoo trainers.
Outdated McDonald has a farm at Turtleback Zoo too.
Other than the unique animals, Turtle Again Zoo can also be dwelling to Essex Farm. With pigs, horses, goats, and sheep, Essex Farms is an idyllic farmhouse come true. The storybook barn has indoor stalls the place littles can spend a very long time peeking into every and feeling like they’re actually at a farm. My children are additionally followers of feeding the goats—you place cash into the stations close to the pen and refill a cone of grain to pet and feed them. After you spend high quality time on the farm (some children wish to be right here all day), be sure you try the picket pavilion on the fringe of the hill the place littles can giddy up and experience a pony round a strolling path loop.
The sting ray exhibit is interactive to see and contact a stingray up shut.
Below the ocean
The contact tank is one other fan favourite of my crew, maybe as a result of you may contact and likewise feed the stingrays. The 1600-gallon tank holds sharks, too (although you don’t pet these), and the children have been thrilled to see the rays glide by, however their slippery skins and smooth strikes have been sooner than my children might put out their palms. They gently touched a number of after which watched the infant sharks pace by means of the tank. Subsequent, we walked out of the constructing and caught the playful sea lions taking nosedives round their large glass pool, designed to appear to be a pure habitat. My children have been mesmerized by watching the ocean lions swimming underwater, and I noticed this was an excellent spot to take a chilled, meditative break.
The ocean lions have been an awesome spot to hang around and chill out.
Take a experience on the Carousel or Practice
We by no means depart with out a experience on the Zoo Practice, a miniature old style practice that has tracks alongside the water of the gorgeous South Mountain Reservation. The practice is at all times a success, supplying you with slightly downtime from all of the strolling. The practice leaves roughly each quarter-hour from the station, is wheelchair accessible, and is free. The road can generally get a bit lengthy, however a part of the ready space is shaded and strikes shortly.
On the opposite facet of the zoo, the Endangered Species Carousel is one other common attraction and a good way to get shade. Your children could have the selection of driving on a superbly painted panda, alligator, tiger, or certainly one of 30 different uncommon creatures featured on the carousel that was custom-built for Turtle Again Zoo. Admission prices $2 per experience.
Different animal displays
You’ll be able to see all of the animal displays in at some point, relying on how lengthy your children final. We have been able to go, however my daughter didn’t wish to depart with out a peek on the black bears. They’re often snoozing, however you may get a reasonably good look, and on this go to, we have been amazed to see two of the massive bears snuggled up by the glass. It was actually neat for the children to see their large measurement so intently. This journey was brief, however different occasions we’ve stopped by the Reptile Home, the place my children are enthralled to see the snakes and large kimono dragon, who, in accordance with my son, resembles a mini dinosaur. Others we like are the Australian exhibit with kangaroos and emus and the Butterfly tent, the place you may stroll by means of and marvel at over 700 wonderful and vibrant specimens.
Don’t miss out on the Butterfly tent, open within the spring and summer season.
Enjoyable on the Turtle Again Zoo any season
The zoo is open year-round, however some displays are closed for winter. What’s nice is that there are numerous particular actions all year long, like Spooky Storytime and Secure Halloween in October. In December, the zoo goes out all with the Vacation Lights Spectacular, the place you are taking a night stroll among the many gentle shows and cease by to have a s’extra. Not all of the displays are open, however children can experience the carousel, take a pony experience, feed barnyard pals, and go to Santa. Past the vacation occasions are additionally weekly academic applications like Storytime, Nature Membership, Night time Strikes, Science Seminars, Wonders of the Wild, Conservation Schooling, and camps in the summertime.
Look excessive and low to identify all of the animals at Turtle Again Zoo.
What to know earlier than you go to Turtle Again Zoo in West Orange
The zoo is hilly however laid out into mainly an enormous circle, so that you don’t miss something as you stroll round it. However if in case you have a mission to see sure animals, the habitat-like displays are set in areas, letting you simply decide or select the areas to hit. If you would like a snack or lunch, there’s a full restaurant (with a bar) providing loads of selections for various appetites and diets and many seating scattered all through. You’ll be able to carry meals in from exterior if you wish to brown bag it, and there are picnic tables and shaded areas to eat. It’s additionally an awesome measurement and doesn’t really feel overwhelming for a half-day go to. We often spend round two to a few hours, however you might simply do extra (or much less).
Parking is plentiful, with a big parking deck proper on web site that’s free. You should buy tickets on-line or on the door and take into account the yearly membership for those who stay shut by. We expect it’s nicely price it as a result of we will drop in anytime the children really feel bored or wish to let some power out. It’s turn out to be a Christmas present from the grandparents and a real expertise present that my children at all times take pleasure in receiving—and I do know these reminiscences of our visits right here will stick with them for a few years.
Turtle Again Zoo is located inside the South Mountain Reservation Recreation Advanced at 560 Northfield Ave. in West Orange. Admission for adults (ages 13+) is $17, and $14 for youths 2-12 and seniors.
