Boo at the Zoo

Because we aren't going to be home on Halloween, there is no trick-or-treating in our neighborhood this year.  Obviously, this was VERY disappointing for all of us.  We are holiday people--we love them all! To take the sting out of it, we looked for an interesting alternative and decided that we would take the kids to the annual Boo at the Zoo in DC.

Since having kids we have been members of every zoo we've lived near. One of our first pictures of Jack and Anna walking took place at the Norfolk zoo.  We went to the Memphis zoo so often that the kids could almost navigate the 20 mile drive.  DC has been a bit trickier.  It's just not very easy to get to.  But, we still try and make the trip a few times each year.  

Until now we had never before visited a zoo decorated for Halloween.  The kids were extremely excited at the prospect.  Our friend Joey joined us, making for a nice ratio of 3 kids/3 adults.  Anna dressed as wedding Rapunzel.  Kara was regular Rapunzel, and Jack was a combat soldier.  Thomas and I did not dress up, although we would not have been out of place if we had.  We left the house around 3:30 and got to the metro station about an hour later.  There was supposed to be a shuttle taking people from the metro station to the zoo, but there was none to be seen, so we walked.   We got there shortly after the gates opened at 5:30. 

Everyone was handed an orange bag.  Then, it was off to collect our treats.  There were a lot of interesting treats: an ice cream bar, Cabot cheese, Utz chips, an apple from Whole Foods, honey sweetener, etc.  One of the coolest treats was a light-up lollipop.  It was pretty neat to see those around as it got darker.  Mars had a few stations to hand out candy, but it was not a candy-heavy event. 

We saw a few animals, but our favorite area (Amazonia) was closed.  The panda exhibit was also closed. There were lots of skeleton scenes around the park.  My favorite was probably the skeleton band "playing" Halloween music (Thriller, Monster Mash, etc).  I think the girls liked the skeleton wedding and Jack appreciated the bathroom scene.  There were other decorations, but the skeletons were the most elaborate.

Kara said it was better then trick-or-treating in our neighborhood because we got to ride the train, stay out late and see animals.  Jack said he liked being the neighborhood better, probably because there is more candy that way.  Anna thinks both are great options. 

I am not sure we would go again.  I think we would if we were closer, but the (almost) 4-hour travel time just takes away from the adventure.  It was also expensive.  Between the tickets and the cost of the metro, I think we spent around $150 (neighborhood = free).

Overall, I would call it a success.  It was fun to do something new and the kids really enjoyed it.  It was great to see so many different costumes and to see the zoo in a new light (literally and figuratively).

I only had my phone, so the pictures are not very good.

Getting there is half the "fun"