Do you have Mini Macaronis who love animals? Then consider a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium next time you head west for a family vacation. Our family recently enjoyed our first visit there, and I'm excited to tell you why I think it's a great family-friendly option!
The Animals
Of course we need to start with the animals! Elephants, giraffes, leopards, polar bears, sharks and more. If your Mini Macaronis have a favorite animal, chances are you'll find it here as Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is home to thousands of animals, including more than 20 endangered species.
Our favorite was definitely the polar bears, we could have all watched them for hours. There were two that we got to see swim and play with their toys. There's an underwater viewing area, and my daughter was nose-to-nose with one of them, which meant she could really appreciate just how big they are.
We also enjoyed seeing the newest baby elephant interacting with its parents.
If you have young children, make sure to stop over at the Kids Kingdom, where you'll find a variety of animals, including many native to Pennsylvania, and a petting zoo!
The Islands
Our visit timed up perfectly with the opening of The Islands, a new exhibit area featuring an island atmosphere and animals including clouded leopards, Galapagos tortoise, and Visayan warty pigs. There's also a sandy beach area where your Mini Macaronis can spend a few minutes of playtime!
We also enjoyed the educational area of The Islands where information about animal enrichment and veterinary care was available, as well as educational games, including this Operation Tiger. (It's also a good place to escape the heat and sun for a few minutes on a hot day!)
Zoo Keys
When you arrive, stop into one of the gift shops and pick up a Zoo Key. This $2 investment is worth it if you have slightly older Macaronis who want to learn more about the animals. There are kiosks throughout the zoo that share brief facts about various animals - whether it's their habitat, their diet, or other distinguishing characteristics.
Size
The zoo is a great size for kids--and grandparents! We easily walked the whole zoo and not once did either of my Mini Macaronis complain about being tired or needing a break. There are some hills, but with so many animals to see along the way, it never felt overwhelming, even on a warm summer day. We also found it easy to navigate since there's one main loop that allows you to see everything without having to retrace steps or backtrack. See an interactive map of the zoo on their website.
Affordability
Admission rates are $15 for adults, $13 for children (age 2-13), and $14 for seniors (age 60+). Children younger than 2 are free. There is also free parking, and I thought the food prices were reasonable, too. We had lunch at the Jambo Grill in the safari area, which is the perfect midway point at the top of the loop. I appreciated the wide variety of options, including a grilled chicken tenders kids meal. We also discovered that the pizza shop has the yummiest fresh cut french fries!
Disclosure: My family received complimentary admission tickets to facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
