Zoo Boise: A Great Place to Enjoy a Family Outing

Whether you are a resident or just visiting Boise, Idaho, one place you should be certain to take your family is Zoo Boise. With affordable prices, a clean environment, and lots of hands-on activities for the kids, Zoo Boise is an ideal venue for your family to enjoy.

Located in Boise, Idaho, Zoo Boise is surrounded by a number of beautiful parks, gardens, and museums in the heart of the city. The air is clean and crisp, the water of the Snake River gurgles pleasantly nearby, and the voices of happy children sound throughout the area.

Zoo Boise is home to many exotic and regional animals, including a red panda, a sloth bear, a Komodo dragon, and other animals that are not found at every zoo. And since it is a smaller zoo, it is easy to walk through and see all the animals and exhibits in an afternoon without becoming too worn out. Even your littlest family members will enjoy their experience without tiring before the day is through.

I have visited quite a few zoos throughout my childhood and young adult years, and I have seen a large variety of animals of all temperaments. Many of the animals at various zoos that I have toured seem always to be sleeping or hiding from view, making the visit more about the scenery than the animals in their created habitats. Happily, such has not been the case during my more than a dozen visits to Zoo Boise. Here the animals have been lively and seem happy and well cared for. We have witnessed the tigers and leopards on the prowl; penguins swimming and diving for their dinner; the elusive red panda strolling through his habitat; and even the giant tortoise attempting to climb the fence surrounding his outdoor area!

In addition to all the animals, there are a variety of fun activities for kids, including but certainly not limited to: a large giraffe slide and sandpit; statues of a lion, gorilla, elephant, Komodo dragon, and other animals that are designed for children to explore and climb on; a large tunnel slide by the spider monkeys play area; and a wealth of colorful, informative pictures and factual information about every zoo animal.

In addition to current animal exhibits, Zoo Boise is in the works of creating a new African addition to the zoo, complete with new educational areas, giraffes, lions, and so much more! The African exhibit is projected to be completed sometime in 2007 and the zoo is currently accepting donations from generous individuals to assist with this two million dollar addition to the zoo.

All in all, Zoo Boise is a terrific way to spend the day with your family whether you live in or have come to play in Boise, Idaho. So next time you're in town, pull out a few dollars and consider it money well spent as you enjoy the big cats or birds of prey, or the playful antics of the monkeys or penguins. Take a trip to Zoo Boise today!