An Exciting Local Day-Cation Getaway: The Zoo

Z-o-o, three little letters so full life. It's a hot summer morning, you find yourself with a weeks worth of vacation time on your hands and you have made no definite plans for how to use these precious seven days. Are your funds low too? You dare not max out the credit cards that are on reserve for emergency situations that may come up. Well, what do you do? One idea is to spend time on mini vacations that I personally call day-cations (a day vacation get-a-way). Take a day-cation without spending too much money or going too far away from home. There are plenty of local get-a-ways near you.

For working parents the one day-cation place that is most often overlooked is the city zoo. It is local and the entrance fee is not that costly. In fact a family may consider purchasing an annual pass for about $75. The pass generally includes 10-20% discounts for purchases made on their premises, and discounted rates to other attractions. You will find that the zoo experience is most enjoyable for this new generation of curious minds. With a carefully thought out plan you can fully maximize on the amount of time reserved for this outing making it a fun day for all. For example, if you live in the suburbs it may be feasible for you to drive into town after rush hour traffic and leave just before it begins again. Perhaps leave home around 9:00 a.m. to allow for a relaxed drive into the city. Upon arrival to the zoo you can plan to have lunch in their picnic area? The kids will start their tour on a full tummy avoiding the cry for junk food that is usually found in strategically placed areas. Long walks will work up a thirst, so bring enough bottles of water from home for each family member. Start your tour of the exhibits around 11:00 a.m. If the children do not have specific animals they want to see, map out your tour utilizing the most shaded areas, near water works or a play ground thus allowing for a cool and exciting special day.

When nightfall approaches and you look back on the day, a few hours spent at the zoo, a trip to the gift store for a souvenir for each child realize it is the little things in life that really satisfy and pleases them. The quality time spent together can never be replaced and you understand that and wouldn't have it any other way. So count your blessings for this and every day. Once the kids are asleep and the house settles down it is time for an ice cold glass of Moscato, good music and a somber chuckle. Enjoy!