A Day at the Zoo: The Metro Richmond Zoo

Living in the central Virginia area an oft heard complaint is, "there is no zoo around here." "We have to go all the way to D.C. to take the kids to a zoo!" Do you now? That far you say? What a shame. Well, while you are stuck in traffic on I-95, headed to D.C., my kids and I will be petting the giraffes in Chesterfield.

Wait, what did he say? Giraffes? Chesterfield? What was that?

Tucked away behind Grange Hall Elementary School, off Route 360 in Chesterfield County, just south and slightly west of Richmond is indeed a zoo. No, the Richmond Metro Zoo is not quite as large as what you will find in Washington or Baltimore but it is right here in our backyard and it will not cost you as much to get into as the gas will to get you to D.C. Adults may get in for $9.25 and children (2-11) for $7.25.

While they do not have Pandas, this small zoo does count a white tiger and a rhinoceros among their many other animals. Perhaps the best thing about this zoo is the level of interactivity you will enjoy with the animals. Basically, if it can be petted, you get to pet it here. Llamas, sheep, giraffes, goats, camels and horses are just some of the animals guests get to interact with. Less "people friendly" animals are regularly brought out, under the guidance of trained zoo personnel, for one on one encounters. Because this zoo is so small you get far more personal with the animals than you ever would get to enjoy at a far larger zoo.

This is one of the only places where you can actually feed and pet giraffes. The walkway is built up so that you will be at the level of the giraffes head and you may purchase feed to give to them. It is a blast for adults and kids. Giraffes have prehensile tongues which can grip the cup in your hand so you have to be careful or you will end up feeding all of your feed to the first one you come to. Of course, all the other petting zoo animals need attention also and kids just love giving it to them.

The Richmond Metro Zoo has been putting in a couple of rides over recent years. Nothing to big yet. The first is a chair lift which takes you out over some of the animal lots. The second is a carousel for the kids. These cost extra but nothing to break the wallet, just two or three dollars each.

Other animals which you will see include several types of primates, wallabies (similar to a kangaroo), lions, some reptiles, birds, oh and let us not forget the penguins. Those guys will keep kids in stitches for hours. They are an African species which can tolerate the warm weather in central Virginia but they are still funny to watch. Of course the chimpanzees and other monkeys can always be counted on to likewise keep the young'uns happy.

All in all the Richmond Metro Zoo will not overly drain your bank account, it will not empty your gas tank and it is right here in our back yard, if you live in central Virginia. If you just have to be "Oh so sophisticated" and have the panda bears then, by all means, blow a hundred bucks and a couple of tanks of gas and drive to Washington. As for me, I'll be home before you get there and the kids will be washing the Giraffe spit off their hands.