Exploring Beyond Oklahoma
Day 3 Go wild at the Fort Worth Zoo
Since our return departure was not until the early evening, we had plenty of time on our last day for more exploring. Make plans to stow your luggage after checking out of your hotel; some hotels will hold your bags, or for a small fee, you can store your bags at the train station. Our last day was all about the Fort Worth Zoo! Ranked as a top zoo by USA Travel Guide and FamilyFun magazine, the Fort Worth Zoo is home to more than 500 species and 7,000 animals. Shady, winding pathways lead you around the zoo’s diverse habitats. The zoo’s newest habitat, Predators of Asia & Africa, lets visitors get up close to some of the most skilled hunters in the animal kingdom. We climbed aboard a stationary safari bus to spy on a napping lion pride with a young cub, resting in the afternoon sun.
DON’T MISS THE DINOSAUR EXHIBITS AT THE FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY. PHOTO BY NICK UTTER.
Next up, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History features a dinosaur exhibition with a DinoLab and DinoDig; a mini- children’s museum with plenty of spaces for active and imaginative play; Innovations Studios that encourage doodling, design and inventing; a planetarium and more. Our family spent about three hours exploring this hands-on museum. Nearby, in the Cultural District, are several more museums within walking distance – the Modern Art Museum, Kimbell Art Museum, Amon Carter
Inside Elephant Springs, you can walk along a floating “village” as you
explore the multiple yards and water holes within the animal enclosure. Water sprayers allow guests to interact with the elephants by spraying
Museum of American Art and National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.
streams of water, just like you
have a trunk of your own. The African Savanna showcases giraffes, hippos, ostriches and meerkats. Exotic and endangered reptiles and amphibians abound in the Museum of Living Art. Plus, check out native wildlife in Texas Wild!
We wrapped up our day at Cidercade , an arcade that blends retro and modern. Admission is $12 and that covers all your game play – no video games, Skee-ball, pinball machines, pool tables, shuffleboard and much more. The venue also serves artisan pizzas and salads. All ages are welcome until 8 p.m. tokens or quarters needed. They have
IN THE CULTURAL DISTRICT, VISIT THE NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME. PHOTO BY LEO WESSON.
Consider joining the Heartland Flyer Kids Club! A $10 membership includes a Heartland Flyer T-shirt and a certificate good for a complimentary round trip. Learn more at amtrak.com/heartlandflyer.
IN ELEPHANT SPRINGS, VISITORS CAN INTERACT WITH THE ELEPHANTS BY SPRAYING STREAMS OF WATER.
60 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2024
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