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Beloved children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, best-known for his book, Where the Wild Things Are passed away last month. In his 83 years, Sendak influenced multiple generations of children.
His death got us thinking—where are the wild things around here that we can take our families to? Here are some wild places we found, as well as other things to do should your family end up in that neck of the woods:
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
www.zooamerica.com
201 Park Avenue, Hershey
717-534-3900
The 11-acre, walk-through zoo is home to more than 200 animals representing more than 60 species from five regions of North America. It began as Hershey Zoo in 1910, when Milton S. Hershey formally organized his park’s growing collection of wild animals into a public zoo. That zoo closed in 1971, but it reopened in its present format in 1978. ZooAmerica is one of only eight Pennsylvania zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Things to do near ZooAmerica:
Hershey Park
www.hersheypark.com
100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
1-800-HERSHEY
Hershey’s Chocolate World
www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld
251 Park Blvd., Hershey
1-800-HERSHEY
Hershey Gardens
www.hersheygardens.org
170 Hotel Road, Hershey
717-534-3492
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
www.laketobias.com
760 Tobias Road, Halifax
717-362-9126
Monkeys, tigers, ostriches, lions, bears and Bengal tigers are just a few of the many interesting creatures you can meet in the 150-acre park. Take a guided safari tour on an open-air cruiser through pasture land and wooded areas. There’s also a petting zoo, reptile exhibit and shows.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland
reptiland.com
18628 Route 15, Allenwood
570-538-1869
Explore the world of mambas, cobras, vipers, pythons and other rare and beautiful snakes, alligators, tortoises, llizards, frogs and more in a 6,500-square-foot gallery. Plus, multi-media shows, live demonstrations, interactive exhibits and more.
Things to do near Reptiland:
Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum
www.littleleague.org
525 Route 15 Highway, South Williamsport
Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat
www.ridehiawatha.com
2205 Hiawatha Blvd., Williamsport
1-800-248-9287
Philadelphia Zoo
www.philadelphiazoo.org
3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia
215-243-1100
America’s first zoo opened in 1874 with 813 animals and more than 228,000 visitors.
Today, the zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals and entertains about 1.1 million visitors each year.
From a naked mole rat to a vampire bag and everything in between, including monkeys, giraffes, hippos, bears and jaguars, the 42-acre zoo has it all.
Things to do near the Philadelphia Zoo:
The Liberty Bell
www.ushistory.org/libertybell/
526 Market Street, Philadelphia
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Adventure Aquarium
www.adventureaquarium.com
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
856-365-3300
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo
13019 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Md.
301-271- 3180
http://cwpzoo.com
This zoo is home to 1,100 animals including amphibians, fish and invertebrates. You’ll find bears, lions, macaws, monkeys and more, porcupines to pythons. Plus, a one-hour Global Wildlife Safari ride.
Things to do near Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo:
Catoctin Mountain Park
http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm
6602 Foxville Road Thurmont, Md.
301-663-9388
Camp David Museum
www.cozyvillage.com/Cozy_Camp_David_Museum.html
103 Frederick Road, Thurmont, Md.
301-271-7373
www.marylandzoo.org
Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Md.
410-396-7102
Founded in 1876, this is the third oldest zoo in the U.S. and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. The zoo offers more than 1,500 animals in varied natural habitat exhibits, including the Polar Bear Watch, Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the Children’s Zoo.
Things to do near the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore:
National Aquarium
www.aqua.org
501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Md.
410-576-3800
Port Discovery Children's Museum
www.portdiscovery.org
35 Market Place, Baltimore, Md.
410-727-8120
Maryland Science Center
www.mdsci.org/
601 Light Street, Baltimore, Md.
410-685-2370
