If you find yourself in Wichita, Kansas on one of those rare gorgeous 60 degree days in February with nothing to do, but have children who don't let you snooze in the sun, you may want to visit the Sedgwick County Zoo.
The animals are really active on nice days in February. It's as if they, too, are thinking, "Yiiiii-hooooo! The sun is shining! Get me some Vitamin D!" I've never been so close to an anteater before. But I could say that about many of the animals. No hiding in the shade this weekend.
Is this not one of the most bizarre animals, ever?
We had a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon together.
Entertainment value for the whole party, aged 5-37: 6
Cost/benefit: we have passes, which I highly recommend for large families. Many zoos will reciprocate so you at least get a discounts at zoos all over the country. Had we paid to get in, it would have cost us $77.65. Our annual pass was $114. If I had coughed up $77.65 to get in, I would have probably felt like we needed to stay hours more. Which leads to....
Length of stay: 2.5 hours (did not see the whole zoo)
Crap Shack Avoidance: 5. They do make you exit though the Crap Shack, but if you can wrangle your five children through a bin littered 10 feet, you can still avoid the bulk of the gimmes. Not all, but the bulk. Sadly, the whole park is liberally provided with overpriced food shacks and few water fountains. you can't win 'em all.
The animals are really active on nice days in February. It's as if they, too, are thinking, "Yiiiii-hooooo! The sun is shining! Get me some Vitamin D!" I've never been so close to an anteater before. But I could say that about many of the animals. No hiding in the shade this weekend.
We had a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon together.
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| yes, my 6th child is an orangutan |
Entertainment value for the whole party, aged 5-37: 6
Cost/benefit: we have passes, which I highly recommend for large families. Many zoos will reciprocate so you at least get a discounts at zoos all over the country. Had we paid to get in, it would have cost us $77.65. Our annual pass was $114. If I had coughed up $77.65 to get in, I would have probably felt like we needed to stay hours more. Which leads to....
Length of stay: 2.5 hours (did not see the whole zoo)
Crap Shack Avoidance: 5. They do make you exit though the Crap Shack, but if you can wrangle your five children through a bin littered 10 feet, you can still avoid the bulk of the gimmes. Not all, but the bulk. Sadly, the whole park is liberally provided with overpriced food shacks and few water fountains. you can't win 'em all.
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| We almost made it to the exit. |
