Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo is a no-brainer for my second post, for a few reasons. The Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science:

1. Hold over 100 years of history in Denver.
2. Serve as equally highly educational and highly fun-packed experiences.
3. Are literally next door to each other.

The "What"

Launched in 1896, the Denver Zoo is celebrating its 127th year. An orphaned black bear cub named Billy Bryan was gifted to the Denver Mayor, who gave it a home in city park, beginning a long history for a beloved zoo.

Neighboring City park on the East and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on the West, Denver Zoo is located West of Colorado Boulevard on the south side of 23rd Avenue. 

Before this time, zoos were mainly comprised of metal cages where the animals were kept. Conceptually, Denver Zoo was one of the first zoos of its time to be designed with the animals' natural habitat in mind, which many zoos and conservatories around the world have taken to doing. This technique provides a better experience for animals, visitors, and zoo keepers alike. 

It is currently open from 10AM to 5PM daily.

Exhibits include:

• African Penguin
• Giraffe 
• Tropical reptiles and animals
• Lions and Tigers
• Elephants, rhinos, and hippos
• Primate Panorama

...and much more

There are also interactive exhibits, cafes, food trucks, and a gift shop.

The "How"

Online tickets are required to be purchased ahead of your visit.

I recommend making a day trip of both the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. A good way to do this is to visit the museum in the morning before lunch, since it is open an hour earlier than the zoo, which you could visit after lunch (when it seems to be less busy), and stay until it closes at 5PM. That may seem like a long day, but I promise you'll easily be able to fill the time, and may have to make another visit to fit everything in.

Expect it to be busy. This hotspot has earned its popularity, and there's never a dull moment at the Denver Zoo. 

Native Love

I've been coming to the Denver Zoo since I can remember. It is a cherished staple of most Denver natives' childhoods, spanning many generations now. This timeless piece of Denver history serves to uphold the Denver spirit in a very special way, with many precious memories and stories littered throughout. One that hits home for me is the story of Klondike and Snow (picture and statue above), twin polar bear cubs who were abandoned by their mother and raised by the Denver Zoo staff in 1994. Both were sent to Florida to live happy lives, and both have passed on since, but it is certainly a story those Denver natives in my generation will always treasure. 

I hold many fond memories, similar to Denver Museum of Nature and Science, of field trips, family outings, dates, and even solo day trips. Whatever your purpose is, be it to take your kids somewhere fun, or just kill of some free time in an educational and fun way, come hang out with the remarkable (and very spoiled) animals who call the Denver Zoo home.

Denver Zoo main website: https://denverzoo.org/