Here’s details of a new contest from the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.
I don’t know when the last time you visited the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange (behind the Codey Arena at South Mountain), but it is not the same zoo your dad brought you to when you were a kid.
The Turtle Back Zoo is now an officially accredited zoo in NJ. They’ve added a bunch of great new exhibits and residents. There’s a great BIG carousel and playground for the kids. The bird aviary is definiately one of my kids’ favorite areas. And you have the good ol’ standby classic – the choo choo train that takes you around the lake at South Mountain in the back of the zoo grounds.
The Zoo is giving away a free party for you and 25 if your friends. They’ll even throw in a $250 gift card so you can be a super host and look like a star.
The contest entry requirements are so easy that you have no excuse NOT to enter for the party price worth $675!
Have you ever heard the song, “Daddy taking me to the zoo, tomorrow…”
Well, the kids have been asking to go to Turtle Back Zoo to ride the train, feed the birds, ride a pony and more. But there are some other zoos in NJ too.
A great aquarium facility – watching the scuba divers interact with the audience through the huge glass tank was neat. Kids like the hippos, although the porcupines were afraid of them apparently. There’s a neat glass tube you can walk through and see sharks swimming all around you. We pet some sting rays and sharks too. Our kids loved going to this one. We spent about 3 hours. Well worth the trip.
Adventure Aquarium features nearly 200,000 square feet of sea life and wildlife. Visitors will be in for an ADVENTURE as they visit the West African River Experience featuring hippopotamuses, crocodiles, porcupines and over 20 species of African birds in a free-flight aviary; surround themselves with sharks in a suspended 40-foot walk-through tunnel; explore the wonders of the deep sea in the Jules Verne Gallery; and even have an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Swim with the Sharks.
This great zoo, located in Van Saun County Park, is home to a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, living in recreated habitats natural to each species. The grounds are well-maintained, and the animals well cared for — important for you and me. Without zoos like this that participate in the Species Survival Plan, the world would be a much poorer place. This zoo has many different species of birds, some exotic and rare, such as the endangered Andean condor. Reptiles, likethe Red-footed Tortoise, the Green Iguana, Boa Constrictor, and American Alligator will be found here, as will mammalssuch as the Ferret, Opossum, Arctic Fox, American Bison, Mountain Lion, Golden Lion, Tamarin, and many, many others.
The Cape May County Park Zoo is located in the beautiful main county park in Cape May Court House. Near the New Jersey Shore and Historic Cape May. The Zoo has 200 species of animals and over 500 specimens from around the World and includes a reptile house and a free flight aviary. The zoo participates in several AZA species survival programs and has many endangered and threatened species. Admission is free. Shelters are available for family reunions, picnics or company outings. The park has a variety of gym equipment for children. Live Distance learning instructions and experiences can be brought into the classroom from the Cape May County Zoo. Open every day except Christmas, weather permitting. Park hours are 9:AM to Dusk. Summer Zoo hours are 10:00 AM to 4:45PM.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium 300 Ocean Ave. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742-3621 Tel: (732) 899-1659 Fax: (732) 899-1717
Haven’t been to the Aquarium, but you may want to try going on a Friday when the amusement park is P.O.P. (pay one price) all you can ride for $15. Great deal if you’re going to let you kids have some fun on the boardwalk rides.
Turtle Back Zoo 560 Northfield Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052 Tel: (973) 731-5800 Fax: (973) 731-1059
The highlights are the choo choo train ride, the aviary where you can feed birds in the palm of your hands literally, pony rides and the new playground.
Animals from all five continents can be found on the zoo’s 20 acres of landscaped grounds. Eagles, wolves, penguins, monkeys and cougars are some of the many animals on display. Live animal demonstrations are offered in the amphitheater or education center. A petting zoo, pony rides, restaurant and a train ride are available April through October. Picnic facilities are available and parking is free. The zoo is ADA accessible.
