The Houston Zoo: A Fun Attraction for the Whole Family

Looking for family activities or attractions in Houston? Located in the museum district of Houston, the Houston Zoo is a haven for children, animal lovers, and conservationists. Covering fifty five acres of ground, the Houston Zoo contains exhibits on everything from butterflies to sea lions to crocodiles, as well as several educational exhibits and a carousel. It is very easy to spend an entire day at the zoo, without backtracking or seeing anything twice.

The majority of the animals are kept in areas resembling their natural habitats. In the Texas Wetlands exhibit, turtles coexist with crocodiles; in the aquarium, sharks share tanks with smaller fish. Other popular exhibits include the primate center, the bird garden, and the reptile house, which are simply teeming with animals. Be sure not to miss the animals in the Natural Encounter house, which includes such fascinating exhibits as the flooded forest, a recreation of a flooded Amazon rainforest and the aqauatic creatures that make their homes there during the rainy season. Many animals are currently being moved around, so not every tank or cage is labeled, but every attempt is being made to keep this updated as the zoo expands.

The highlight of the Houston Zoo for most families, though, is the children's zoo. Consisting of almost ¼ of the total area of the zoo, the children's zoo includes exhibits on each of the main natural habitats in the world: forest, prairie, beach, desert, and farm. Each of these exhibits is packed with a variety of animals, as well as filled with educational materials which appeal to the whole family. Children can push buttons to make animal sounds, feel the simulated skin of a porcupine, and crawl through a tunnel in a tank full of piranhas. The children's zoo also includes a petting zoo and several play areas, including a fountain that children (and whole families!) are encouraged to run through.