Though it seems like Halloween is weeks away (and, it truly is), already there is lots of talk of costume swaps (cookie monster costume anyone?) and all the upcoming events for Halloween. And, there are a lot! “Boo at the Zoo” is one of my favorites and it runs every weekend in October at the Bronx Zoo. It’s a really fun, outdoor New York Halloween tradition that focuses on animals, being outside and the zoo’s landscape. I also love that we can do it pre-Halloween so we can get in the spirit early.
The “Lost Hayride” is back again this year. It was a quick 8 minute (my count) hay ride around a usually off-limits area of the zoo. The emcee was a pirate “whose favorite letter is Rrrr”. He made sufficiently adult-laughable jokes and the kiddies were enthralled with his eyepatch. The attractions on the scenic ride were fun- a wriggling box on the side of the road, a haunted house with a ghost, plenty of gravestones and just simple thrills. Your toddler will most likely be able to stomach it all. We had kids as young as 14 months on our ride up to 9 years and they were all entertained.
The Bronx Zoo will also do their “treat stations” again this year. The kids pick up sweet treats along the way which makes for a fun treasure hunt as you make your way around the attractions. Treat station locations will be Zoo Center, Hayride, Bug Carousel, Monorail, and Haunted Safari.
The Bug Carousel is always a huge hit as are the professional pumpkin carving demonstrations. This year I want to make a point of seeing the parade of costumes and visit the traditional favorites: the hay maze and craft workshops. Additionally, there will be music and puppet shows.
Details:
Boo at the Zoo festivities run every weekend in October
October 1-3, 9-11, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31
The Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays through November 2, 2009. Adult admission is $15, children (3-12 years old) $11, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $13. Parking is $12 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.
P.S. – we like to park at the A lot (Asia) lot for this event. If you have other tips and hints for readers, please leave them below the post. Thanks!
This year’s “Spooktacular” activities include:
Haunted Safari Adventure
11:00am- 5:30pm
Guests can explore a spooky walk-through wildlife-themed Halloween experience that reveals the challenges that wildlife faces for survival. As a part of the walk-through, safari visitors will each be given a “treasure” that will be revealed at the end of their journey as part of an “Augmented Reality” 3-D experience. By placing their treasure (a special marker) through a web-camera set-up, each guest will learn the identity – in 3-D – of the special treasure that they brought to safety.
Lost Hayride
11:00am- 5:00pm
Enjoy an “old style” hay wagon ride through the beautiful foliage of the season and the natural park setting. Many special surprises are in store for zoo-goers including a chilling tour of Creepy Hollows.
Extinct/endangered animal graveyard
Displayed at Mouse House lawn, the graveyard will help visitors understand the importance of these invaluable animals to our world.
Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo while participating in this fun, fall tradition.
Pumpkin Carving Demonstrations.
Saturdays only 12:00pm – 3:00pm (excluding the weekend of Oct. 2).
Master pumpkin carver Hugh McMahon, will sculpt fascinating and intricate animal themed designs such as bats, tigers, gorillas, and big cats. Each session, he will carve a 150-pound pumpkin that will remain on display through the remainder of the weekend.
Craft workshop
11:00am – 4:00pm at Dancing Crane Pavilion.
Families can enjoy creating animal-themed Halloween crafts.
Puppet Shows with Flexitoon Puppeteers
1:30pm, 3:30pm at Asia Plaza Theater
Award-winning puppeteers Craig Marin and Olga Felgemacher present a custom puppet show all about the amazing Bronx Zoo animals.
All About Bats!
10:30am – 3:30pm at the Monkey House
Bat Chats at 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, and 3:15pm
Explore the world of bats with an expert guide who will demystify these flying mammals.
Costume Parade
12:45pm, 2:45pm
Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band will lead kids and family members in an exciting costume parade accompanied with music, dance and fun, from Dancing Crane Plaza to the Grizzly Goodies Picnic Area.
MUSIC: Gigi and the Lend Me A Hand Band
11:00am, 1:00 pm, 3:00pm at Bear Overlook
Enjoy animal-themed musical performances that are knee-slapping fun and celebrate wildlife.
MAGIC: Thrilling Magic Shows
12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm at Bear Overlook
Magicians will leave spectators in awe as they entertain and delight audiences.
Treat Stations
11:00am – 4:00pm
Kids can engage in safe trick-or-treating activities at locations around the park. Treat station locations will be Zoo Center, Hayride, Bug Carousel, Monorail, and Haunted Safari.
WCS’s Boo at the Zoo is made possible by the following generous sponsors:
Presented by: Pepsi
Sponsored by: Entenmann’s and FedEx
Mmm…hungry lizards. Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS