My daughter is at an age where animals are a lot of fun. The very sight of them makes her giddy, and the idea of feeding them seems to send her over the top, so we are always on the lookout for opportunities to see some interesting creatures. I didn’t even know the existed until after she was born, but we are now fond of the local destination.
If you are seeking a huge urban zoo then you may consider this 30-acre facility small, but they have a decent assortment of animals - including several exotics - such as monkeys and kangaroos. My daughter especially loved the petting barn, a large building with pens of animals, including sheep, goats and pot-belly pigs. While some ducks run free, you can pet the animals while they are in their pens and feed them from cups that are available at the gift shop, which happens to be the building you enter through. Feed cups are $3 and baby bottles are $1.50. The petting barn can get very loud when the animals get excited for food, and some younger babies got scared when the acoustics of the barn amplified the bleats.
I found the walkways around the grounds to be relatively stroller-friendly, and they afford views of a variety of animals. The most fun for us were the kangaroos who rolled in the sand just a few feet away from us. Be prepared to leave your stroller behind for some of your visit, because included in your admission is also a Zoofari wagon ride. During the ride, a guide will provide an educational narrative about the animals on the safari. Some of the animals might come up to the wagon to be fed - again, with food from the gift shop. Finally, there is a an aviary and a reptile house, but I can’t honestly report on the reptile house so you will just have to check it out for yourself... if you dare.
Summer also brings a selection of seasonal activities to the Reston Zoo. For children ages 5–7, Summer Workshops are soon underway. Each Thursday, from 1-2:30 p.m., kids can participate in educational activities with a special theme, like nocturnal creatures, alligators or kangaroos. Workshops are regularly $25 or $20 for season pass holders – and each child will leave with a craft.
I look forward to a return visit once the new Swan Paddle Boat ride opens. Participants can paddle around the zoo’s pond in two-person paddle boats. There is also a new Prairie Dog exhibit in development. Both of these new attractions are scheduled to open in July.
During the summer, the zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last admission at 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under and kids under 2 are free.
The Reston Zoo is located at 1228 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna. Call them at (703) 757-6222 to verify hours, activities, and information.
