Lehigh Valley Zoo

 Although we love the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia, on this particular day I was looking for a toddler activity away from the city crowds.  With the help of Google, I was able to discover this lovely zoo nestled in the Trexler Game Preserve in Lehigh Valley. With the kids in tow, we headed that way, and after paying the very reasonable admission costs, we were in!  

Winding paths lead to an array of different animals; Penguins, Emus, Zebras, Wildcats and Giraffes to name a few, as well as a herd of Bison. What I loved the most about this kid-friendly zoo was the ability to let the littles run ahead without losing sight of them. The children thrived with the added independence and the security of knowing they were safe put me at ease and allowed me to enjoy the experience more fully.  The grandkids loved feeding the black swan named Natalie and all of the boisterous ducks. The setting made for many incredible photo ops to capture their happy faces and I made sure to take advantage of all of them.  

You could easily spend the whole day here.   I will be going back soon myself (since I purchased that grandparent membership)!  The Trexler Nature Preserve, in which the zoo is situated, also offers a nice opportunity for a picnic and a nature walk along the stream that runs through the preserve.  Admission costs are quite reasonable. There are wagons to rent for 5 dollars but no strollers. Tokens are available for extra activities such as animal foods, craft projects and face painting.  Check the schedule for animal shows and feedings. Scattered among the zoo were many picnic areas perfect for enjoying your packed or purchased lunch.