Anonymous
10/23/2025 10:20
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The Amazon. We fed manatees at a rescue center, stayed at an ecolodge with birds, monkeys, capybaras around, fished for piranha, saw boas, pink dolphins, tapirs, and sloths on excursions. You can also do a cruise.
Would you recommend the ecolodge?
Different PP but we stayed at the Amazon Planet ecolodge in Peru. We were there pre-kids but talked about how much we wanted to come back with kids! My kids are still a bit young but I want to go back in a few years when they're closer to 8-10.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 22:37
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue: https://www.littlelongears.org/want-to-visit/
Anonymous
10/22/2025 22:04
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Other local options I don't think I've seen
1. Fairfax County fair, the first weekend in August every year. It includes exhibits from local kids in 4-H. Here is the info from this last summer: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair
2. Oxon Hill Farm: Run by the park service, so will likely need to wait until the government re-opens: https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/index.htm
3. Mt. Vernon (private, so not affected by the shutdown). They have a lot of animals on the estate, to recreate what it was like in George Washington's era. Every year at Christmas time, they bring in a camel as well. Check their calendar since they have certain times of the year with animal centric events too (like sheep shearing in the spring)
1. Fairfax County fair, the first weekend in August every year. It includes exhibits from local kids in 4-H. Here is the info from this last summer: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair
2. Oxon Hill Farm: Run by the park service, so will likely need to wait until the government re-opens: https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/index.htm
3. Mt. Vernon (private, so not affected by the shutdown). They have a lot of animals on the estate, to recreate what it was like in George Washington's era. Every year at Christmas time, they bring in a camel as well. Check their calendar since they have certain times of the year with animal centric events too (like sheep shearing in the spring)
Anonymous
10/22/2025 21:47
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, about an hour east of Denver.
https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/
https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/
Anonymous
10/22/2025 20:26
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
I really want to stay at the wolf chalets at Parc Omega in Canada. Floor to ceiling windows right in the wolf sanctuary. Looks amazing!
https://www.parcomega.ca/en/nature-getaway/sleep-with-the-wolves/
https://www.parcomega.ca/en/nature-getaway/sleep-with-the-wolves/
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:28
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
What a fantastic thread. My kids are older now, but would probably still love a lot of these!
I know it's a stretch, but the best thing we did animal-wise was Japan. Sure, some of the animal cafes are a little rough around the edges, but most of them are pretty good-- clean, with healthy, captive-bred, well-socialized critters. Capybaras and otters were the stand-outs. Mini pigs were fun too. We only went to one cat cafe there, and a lot of the cats were visibly ill, so that left us feeling icky.
I think Galapagos is too much for a 7 year old, but start planning to go in a few years! I think 12 and up would be great, provided your kid's a decent swimmer. The snorkeling is incredible. The typical trip involves a live-aboard boat for 5, 7, or more days, and you hike and snorkel every day, then motor to the next island overnight.
I know it's a stretch, but the best thing we did animal-wise was Japan. Sure, some of the animal cafes are a little rough around the edges, but most of them are pretty good-- clean, with healthy, captive-bred, well-socialized critters. Capybaras and otters were the stand-outs. Mini pigs were fun too. We only went to one cat cafe there, and a lot of the cats were visibly ill, so that left us feeling icky.
I think Galapagos is too much for a 7 year old, but start planning to go in a few years! I think 12 and up would be great, provided your kid's a decent swimmer. The snorkeling is incredible. The typical trip involves a live-aboard boat for 5, 7, or more days, and you hike and snorkel every day, then motor to the next island overnight.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:22
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Get them interested in birding. Download the Merlin app from Cornell. It's very cool! You can identify birds by their sounds or from a photo. There may be birding classes from the Audubon Society or other groups.
We did a science fair experiment when my kids were that age where we suction cupped a clear feeder to our kitchen window, divided it into sections with different kinds of seeds, and tallied up what kind of birds ate what seeds. My kids loved it, it was the highlight of breakfast for a month, and it got them interested in different kinds of birds.
I love this so much
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:19
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:The Amazon. We fed manatees at a rescue center, stayed at an ecolodge with birds, monkeys, capybaras around, fished for piranha, saw boas, pink dolphins, tapirs, and sloths on excursions. You can also do a cruise.
Would you recommend the ecolodge?
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:16
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
During whale watching in Tadoussac, Canada and saw SO many whales, including belugas and minke whales. That whole area (north of Quebec City) is stunning in the summer— so much green forest and wildlife. You can also go bear watching.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 20:41
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Penguin Encounter at the Aviary in Pittsburgh.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 20:40
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
If you are wealthy, Katie Sturino (Megababe founder) is on the most amazing safari right now: all local guides, ethical, luxury accommodations. It looks incredible and she is seeing all the wildlife.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 12:44
Subject: Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:+1 to a farm stay in Lancaster. There are lots to choose from and it's an easy trip.
+2 animal-obsessed DD loved that. We stayed here: https://www.amishfarmstay.com/room/airy-hill-ranch-amish-guesthouse/
Also, the best whale watching experience we ever had was in Cape Cod.
Omaha has one of the best zoos in the country,
Locally, just spent a lot of time at nature centers
Anonymous
10/21/2025 12:30
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is a hidden gem. They have private animal experiences with a sloth and penguins, but even the regular exhibits get you surprisingly close to the birds. There is a jungle room where they do regular feedings conducted by staff that bring the birds very close to patrons, and on good weather days they will do a presentation with the raptors (hawks, owls, other birds of prey) that is really amazing.
Just FYI that Pittsburgh actually punches well above its weight as a weekend destination with kids that is drivable from the DC area. Several other great museums, the incline, good food, very affordable and pretty easy to get around (including option of getting many places on the T if you get a hotel near one of the stops).
Thanks for pumping up Pittsburgh - the Aviary is great. Everything from large birds of prey to tropical birds to penguins. My son, who loves animals, always would want to visit when we were in town seeing my folks. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium fun as well.
Outside of the DC area, but my son also loved going to the VA Aquarium in VA Beach. There are (2) different buildings connected by a nice walking path that meanders along a tidal creek.
If you are in the Outer Banks, the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a nice diversion for a morning or afternoon. They have a sea turtle rescue center that was interesting as well. You can pop around Manteo as well.
If in Florida on the Gulf Coast, the Mote Aquarium is Sarasota has a good combination of exhibits along with Manatees. And finally, we recently visited the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in the Palm Beach area. It's technically in Juno Beach. Very large turtle rescue along with other marine life exhibits.
Good Luck!
Don’t forget the Clearwater Marine Aquarium! The setting of the true story of a Dolphin Tale. OP, if your child has seen the Dolphin Tale movies he would love them.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 11:50
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is a hidden gem. They have private animal experiences with a sloth and penguins, but even the regular exhibits get you surprisingly close to the birds. There is a jungle room where they do regular feedings conducted by staff that bring the birds very close to patrons, and on good weather days they will do a presentation with the raptors (hawks, owls, other birds of prey) that is really amazing.
Just FYI that Pittsburgh actually punches well above its weight as a weekend destination with kids that is drivable from the DC area. Several other great museums, the incline, good food, very affordable and pretty easy to get around (including option of getting many places on the T if you get a hotel near one of the stops).
Thanks for pumping up Pittsburgh - the Aviary is great. Everything from large birds of prey to tropical birds to penguins. My son, who loves animals, always would want to visit when we were in town seeing my folks. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium fun as well.
Outside of the DC area, but my son also loved going to the VA Aquarium in VA Beach. There are (2) different buildings connected by a nice walking path that meanders along a tidal creek.
If you are in the Outer Banks, the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a nice diversion for a morning or afternoon. They have a sea turtle rescue center that was interesting as well. You can pop around Manteo as well.
If in Florida on the Gulf Coast, the Mote Aquarium is Sarasota has a good combination of exhibits along with Manatees. And finally, we recently visited the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in the Palm Beach area. It's technically in Juno Beach. Very large turtle rescue along with other marine life exhibits.
Good Luck!
Anonymous
10/21/2025 07:36
Subject: Re:Experiences with animal obsessed child
Anonymous wrote:The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is a hidden gem. They have private animal experiences with a sloth and penguins, but even the regular exhibits get you surprisingly close to the birds. There is a jungle room where they do regular feedings conducted by staff that bring the birds very close to patrons, and on good weather days they will do a presentation with the raptors (hawks, owls, other birds of prey) that is really amazing.
Just FYI that Pittsburgh actually punches well above its weight as a weekend destination with kids that is drivable from the DC area. Several other great museums, the incline, good food, very affordable and pretty easy to get around (including option of getting many places on the T if you get a hotel near one of the stops).
yes! We did Pittsburgh with the kids when my big ones were about 6-7 and the science museum, aviary, and zoo were all great. Highly recommend!