Boo at the Zoo in Birmingham offers a not-so-scary take on trick or treating for families.
Published: October 28, 2017
By: Lisa Adams
The Birmingham Zoo has updated and renovated many of their attractions in recent years. Boo at the Zoo is not a new event, but it has definitely been updated. The beautiful carousel will delight everyone from teens on a first date to grandparents tagging along with the kiddos. The concession area is set up with face-painting stations, a fortune telling pumpkin and several Halloween themed photo stops.
Ample parking and tickets are available for purchase online and at the front gate. My family and I visited the Zoo on a Friday night with online tickets, and our wait time to enter the park was about 40 minutes long. It was a busy night, but when we entered the Zoo itself, the lines were fairly short and moved quickly. The only exception to the short wait time is the train. Expect to wait 45 minutes to an hour for a ride.
The train ride is fun and not too frightening for even the youngest Halloween trick or treaters. Once visitors make their way into the heart of the Zoo, they trade a ticket for a walk down Trick or Treat Lane. Be advised that the Zoo is handing out candy, but much of it is Jolly Ranchers and hard candies that are choking hazards for small children.
The Zoo has also set up an educational area to inspire young conservationists. This area focuses on those nocturnal mammals of the night sky, bats! Guests can view bat wings and skeletons up close, as well as donate to help the Zoo with caring for bats.
There is a fun hayride that is only an additional $5 per person that will definitely keep everyone smiling! The Zoo has the animals tucked in for the night, so don’t expect to see many of those, but they do have a few shows where certain animals are showcased. If your family is looking for a great way to spend an evening wearing costumes and getting in the Halloween spirit, don’t miss Boo at the Zoo! Be sure to stay tuned and check dates on the upcoming Zoolight Safari, also hosted by The Birmingham Zoo.
Open nightly through Halloween. For more information, visit their website http://www.birminghamzoo.com
— Lisa Adams is a Birmingham area mom and GiGi.