Another wonderful place for children of all ages to visit is the free Cape May CountyPark and Zoo in New Jersey. The zoohas a wide range of interesting animals; like African lions, giraffes, and zebras. But what my children loved most were the unusual animals.
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| Watching giraffes at Cape May Zoo. |
“Mom, look!” My son called me over. “Bongos!”
“What?” I walked over to the grassy open area my son was standing in front of. “They look like chunky gazelles with skinny white stripes.”
“No, Mom.” My son shook his head, always pleased with himself when teaching me something new. “These are Mountain Bongos from central Kenya,” he read.
“Then what are they doing here in New Jersey?”
My son, in classic style, rolled his eyes. He surprised me with a great reply. “They like the shore, too.” And he ran after his sisters.
My husband laughed. “He’s learning a lot from you,” he teased.
But that’s the idea. Children are supposed to learn from their parents. Hopefully, good stuff. That’s why we go camping with five kids and explore interesting places, like zoos.
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| The many boardwalks, trees, and pens at the Cape May Zoo. |
It soon became a game. As we walked the many shaded boardwalks to discover what was in the pens or monkey and bird enclosures, the children wanted to be the first to identify a strange animal, bird, or reptile for me. And they did.
We saw Ankole Watusi from Africa. The Watusi have thick, long horns. They are a breed of cattle. We found many unique and colorful birds and monkeys. We glimpsed cheetahs and tamarins. My favorite was the snow leopard with his huge paws and muted, spotted coat. He didn’t stay out in the sun long because of the heat. I suspect his hut was air-conditioned.
If you are visiting the southern New Jersey shore, the shady, cool, free Cape May County Park and Zoo is a great change of pace from the hot, sandy beach. The animal habitats are open and spacious for the most part. We watched the herbivores, the animals who eat plants and grasses; like American Bison, alpacas, and elk, roam the grass and tree lands. The carnivores, of course, are more contained. Signs and fact boards offer the viewer more information about the animals.
Although we usually go in the summer, this zoo is open every day except Christmas. The park also offers playgrounds and a few rides; picnic pavilions and trails. Cape May Safari Café offers “healthy choices” for snacks and meals. But we opted for our own picnic lunch. There are seven of us, remember?
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| The playground and slides are through the woods. |
Feel free to share your favorite zoo to visit with the family or any aquarium or place to see and learn about animals. Perhaps you know of a good website on the internet that offers photos and facts about unique animals. Just leave a note in the comments section here at Camping with Five Kids. It would be truly appreciated. Enjoy your family adventures in 2020!
Hi Victoria – it must be fun having all the kids around and seeing the different things they pick up … love the Ankole-Watsui … amazing animal. I can't think when I last went to a zoo … I did go with my god-daughter to Longleat Safari Park here in Somerset England in the 1990s – they are great conservationists. So glad the kids are learning so much from you both – cheers Hilary
Oh, Hilary, it is so much fun learning about the world with my children. That Ankole-Watsui is interesting, although I wouldn't want to be on the same side of the fence with those horns. Safari Parks sound like a great way to see wild animals. Now, when they can, zoos here in the U.S. are more open for the animals. Which is a good thing.
Thank you so much for your kind words here at Camping with Five Kids. Have a beautiful week!
The Cape May Zoo is awesome. It is more open and there isn't that city feel to it which is nice. Whenever we go, we spend the morning there and then head to the beach afterwards. It's the best of both worlds. Besides the Cape May Zoo being free, it is nice that it is shaded. Even in the heat of the day, it can be cool.
Thanks for the great post!
It certainly can be cool, Michelle, with all the beautiful trees. You are right. There isn't that "city feel" to the Cape May Zoo. And yes, it is wonderful that the zoo and the beach and close by.
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Camping with Five Kids. Have a beautiful Valentine's Day!
Wow, all so beautiful.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate them here at Camping with Five Kids. Please stop by again. All best to you.
Hello and welcome to Camping with Five Kids! Thank you so much for your comment. I'll check out Rolling Pens. All best to you!