Philadelphia, PA - Philly is full of fun things to do, and the home of world-class Zoos and a well-known Aquarium right across the river. From the nation's first Zoo to an all-bug museum, the city has its fair share of creepy crawlers, exotic animals, and sea creatures to explore. The list below is a few places to take the kids on an animal adventure.
Where to See Aminal, Insets, and Sea Creatures in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Zoo
America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo, is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. The zoo offers first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration trail system—called Zoo360—that enables primates and big cats to move above and across the main visitor pathway. Award-winning exhibits include First Niagara Big Cat Falls, the McNeil Avian Center, the PECO Primate Reserve, and KidZooU: Hamilton Family Children's Zoo & Faris Family Education Center. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org
The Adventure Aquarium
Featuring more than two million gallons of water and 8,500 animals, Adventure Aquarium offers hands-on activities, animals, exhibits, and unforgettable moments on the Camden Waterfront. Visitors can walk through a suspended Shark Tunnel; explore KidZone, a virtual playground under the sea aimed at ages six and under. The 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm is home to sea turtles, stingrays, schooling fish, and sharks, including the Great Hammerhead on exhibit in the country. Adventurous types can roll up their sleeves to pet and feed stingrays or touch horseshoe crabs, starfish, and sharks. 1 Aquarium Drive, Camden, NJ, (856) 365-3300, www.adventureaquarium.com
The Elmwood Park Zoo
Opened in 1924, the 16-acre Elmwood Park Zoo showcases an animal collection of more than 100 species indigenous to the Americas, African fruit bats, and, as of 2015, Asian red pandas. Many animals—the American bison, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, timber wolf, and American alligator—showing important wildlife conservation success stories. The zoo also includes a spacious playground featuring interactive animal sculptures. Daily in the summer months, guests can feed the world's tallest mammal at the Independence Blue Cross Giraffe Exhibit. 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, (610) 277-3825, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org
The Insectarium
Philadelphia's only all-bug Museum and the largest insect museum in the Northeast is the Insectarium, exhibiting thousands of live and mounted insects from Africa, Tanzania, and other exotic locations. Check out the many interactive displays (walking sticks, roach kitchen), a movie room, and, planned for spring 2015, a 5,000-square-foot butterfly pavilion. 8046 Frankford Avenue, (215) 335-9500, www.myinsectarium.com
Share This Article on Social Media
