Reston Zoo

[Anonymous]

We're planning on taking the kids (ages 2 and 3) to the Reston Zoo tomorrow. The zoo's Web site is not very detailed. Does anyone know if you can buy food/lunch there? Any other info to offer?

[Anonymous]

been there a couple of times -- don't really remember much food other than ice cream and chips (where you come in and where you go out). lots of fun -- make sure to make your way down for the wagon/safari ride. my ds is almost three and is a bit intimidated by the animals -- esp the feeding area -- but it's lots of fun. best to pack food -- nice picnicy area down by the water.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I think we will pack lunch then. I meant to also ask if a wagon will work for transport vs. stroller.

[Anonymous]

I *think* it's mostly gravel in the main part, then paved in the "back" part and inside the barn... A wagon would probably work okay, maybe a little tricky on the gravel.

Agree with PP, pack a lunch and have a picnic. Not too much food as I recall.

Haven't been since last fall, so my memories are hazy! It was fun, though. The kiddos loved it.

[Anonymous]

We never thought our stroller worked well there because of the gravel. A bjorn or back carrier would be better if they can't walk. Its not large, so my kids always could walk without much trouble.

[Anonymous]

We went for the first time last weekend with our 18-month-old. We really liked it. I was glad we went in the morning before it got too hot and sunny. There isn't much protection from the sun, so put on your sunscreen. Our son was a little intimidated by the animals and only wanted to be held at first. By the end he started to get into it more and had some fun feeding the geese. Of course, when we got home he couldn't stop saying "alligator," "kangaroo," etc.

We skipped the hay ride because I just new it would be too scary for him based on past experience.

I didn't see anything available to eat, but there are picnic benches. We brought our own snacks and stayed for about an hour or so.

Animals I remember seeing: monkies, chickens/roosters, goats, sheep, kangaroos, macaws, parrots, reptiles, ostrich, alligator, alpacas, and ponies. You see more on the hay ride I guess. i saw some camels from afar. You can also purchase food pellets to be given to most of the animals and bottles for the sheep for a few dollars.

We also had trouble navigating our stroll through the gravel as some pps mentioned, but it was doable. More annoying than anything else.

I totally loved it and thought it was more age appropriate for little ones than the National Zoo. Just my opinion though. The biggest drawback was the price.

[Anonymous]

We were there on Monday while the weather was still cool and not so humid. I can't imagine being there on a hot sunny humid day.

My 2 year old didn't like feeding the animals - I think she was a little scared. Even the milk bottle for the sheep was too hard for her since the sheep stuck their faces right at you (and hovered over the 2 year old).

The wagon ride was ok. Again, DD was a little skeptical especially when the camels were loitering around the wagon looking for handouts.

A stroller seemed cumbersome. I put my 4 week old in the Snugli and the 2 year old walked. We were there for about 2.5 hours which was just enough time for us.

Icecream, light snacks, and soda/water are available for purchase.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We went this morning, saw all the animals, went on the wagon ride, had lunch, and ended with a pony ride. My kids loved it. The 3 yo enjoyed feeding the animals, 2 yo didn't have any interest. The wagon we brought worked out well, and it was nice to have something to carry our lunch in. It definitely was a bit hot. I would never go again on a really sunny, hot day. All the goose poop was also kind of a pain. You had to really watch where you were walking. But it was great to be so up close to the animals and be able to feed some of them.