Miami Metro Zoo (Pictures)

[Bradaschenck]

Miami Metro Zoo www.miamimetrozoo.com
The Zoo here is absolutely wonderful. We chose to make that our thanksgiving get day. It is one of the best zoos I have been to. I have been to Bronx and San Diego and I would say that it ranks right up there. I would still call the Bronx Zoo number one hands down, but unlike them it has a lot of room to expand and is doing so. Next November they will open the Amazon, then an everglades rendition and other tropical zones. I think it has a chance of really make itself a primer zoo.

Free podcasts, unthinkable in a day when most zoos operate with pricing scales like theme parks I was amazed. We downloaded a free podcast of the animals the night before and then selected the animals when we got to them for a 30 second plus narrative about the animals. It included most of the animals there.

The trail around the zoo was wide spacious and very shady. That really made the journey more comfortable than most zoos where you might find yourself dodging little people and kamikazee strollers.

Another neat offering they had since the zoo is comfortably flat rental 4 wheel bike/ carriages in either two or 4 seats.

Feeding the giraffes was a blast! At only $2 a great bargain. Having such huge exotic creatures next to you is always a blast.

Although you cannot get very close to the tigers they had the area themed in ancient Indian ruins that they would occupy in their home country.

One of the funniest interactive exhibits I have every seen is the Chimpanzee soak zone. It is an area next to the chimp area with a large over-head nozzle. The chimps have a cord they can pull to soak you. Which the young ones seem to love. I spent a few minutes playing with one and cooling off.

For the animals the space they have at this zoo is often spacious, well kept and comfortable as all modern zoos should be.

The only down side we saw was the petting zoo had fewer animals than many we have been too. But they were home to the happiest turkey on Thanksgiving day.

On my list of someday is their awesome program Zoo keeper for a day $145

Spend a full day working alongside zookeepers as they care for the animals at Metrozoo. Assist with feeding and exhibit maintenance, and learn how they identify and evaluate their animals everyday. Participants will gain an understanding and appreciation of the world's wildlife and the role Metrozoo plays in efforts to conserve it.

[Doug]

Hey Brad, thanks for the metro zoo info and pics! I'd been meaning to get down there, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. It looks like it's definitely worth the trip. One of these days I'd also like to get up to Lion Country Safari and the Morikami Japanese Gardens. They look like they'd be fun, too.