Space Farms Zoo and Museum Family Fun Close to NYC

Space Farms Zoo and Museum features one of the largest private collections of wild animals in the world, and the largest private collection of North American animals in the United States. It is located in Beemerville, NJ, up in Sussex County. It is just 60 miles from NYC and 85 miles from Philadelphia. An easy day trip from both cities and anywhere in between.

Founded by Ralph and Elizabeth Space back in 1927, it will celebrate its 80th year in business in 2007. The Space family never intended to operate a Zoo, but when it came time for Ralph Space to sell off the native raccoons, bobcats and foxes he had been hired by the state of New Jersey to capture and keep away from the areas farms, his three children begged him to keep the animals, and so he did. He belt pens for them, and soon people were stopping by for a look and buying gas and something to eat at the family's small store.

Today the Zoo features a wide variety of animals including lions, tigers, bears, foxes, leopards, monkeys, and even some huge snakes. The Zoo holds a number of records including the world's largest bear, named Goliath, he is listed in the Guiness book of World Records at 12 feet tall and weighing over 2,000 lbs. He died in 1991, but have no fear you can still see him as the Space family had him stuffed and he is on display in the museum, along with a number of other animals that have died at the Zoo over the years.

When you go to the Zoo you will want to purchase bags of corn and animal crackers for feeding the animals. It's a lot fun feeding such a wide variety of animals, probably the most fun to feed are the Ring Tailed Lemurs. They love to play and jump around the trees in their cage, and they love animal crackers.

Speaking of feeding, if you stand near the two huge Kodiak bears cage long enough, they will start prancing back and forth and start making grunting sounds. We have never figured out whether the sounds mean they are hungry and want you to feed them, or they want to feed on you. It's a chilling and thrilling sight.

The Zoo grounds also contain a picnic area and a playground. The playground sits up on a hill and you can see the lion cage from there. And, I suppose, the lions can see you too, but they never seem to pay any attention.

The museum features over 50 old cars and motorcycles, a fluorescent mineral theater, a huge collection of weapons from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, a Doll collection containing some that date back over 100 years, a children's toy collection and plenty more including the stuffed animal collection.

Prices for the Zoo and Museum are reasonable: Adults (13-64) - $12.45 plus tax, Children (3-12) - $8.00 plus tax, and Seniors (65+) - $11.45 plus tax. They also have Group rates available. For more info visit them online at http://www.spacefarms.com