The Pacific Northwest has a beautiful population of various wild animals. I will never forget when I was driving through the Gorge and saw around a dozen seemingly wild horses galloping through a meadow. There is also the exhilarating combination of fear and intrigue when you come across a “CAUTION: BEARS ROAM HERE” sign when camping or leisurely hiking. As a family, we all like to get in the car and go on joy rides through the countryside (a great hack to help your baby or young toddler fall asleep). And there is something so inspiring when you see a hawk, or maybe even a bald eagle, fearlessly soaring through the skies above. I don’t even consider myself to be much of an animal person; we are one of those families without pets. However, there is a deep connection when coming across majestic and goofy animals. The Oregon Zoo is a wonderful place to feel this connection. Not only do they care for animals native to the Pacific Northwest, but they also look after animals from around the world.
I spent much of my childhood going to the zoo, but in adulthood, I never really went. However, having my own family now, the zoo has become a staple outing. The people who work there are not only friendly, but passionate about their job. The safety enclosures where the animals live are spacious and well-kept. The overall atmosphere at the Oregon Zoo is happy and welcoming, too. Every time we visit, we get a sense of it being a place of childlike enthusiasm shared among everyone there. It is for reasons like this that we have a family membership. Being located in Portland and right off the highway makes for easy access. Their massive parking lot also simplifies the arrival because you aren’t going to spend too much time searching for a spot.
Something that I love about the Oregon Zoo is that no matter who you go with, everyone has their favorite section to visit. Some prefer the lions, while others want to see the red panda. For me, it is the elephants. For my wife, it is the naked mole rats. And for our daughter, it is the penguins or any type of primate. A cute aspect regarding her love of the primates is that they enjoy seeing her as well. There must be some type of evolutionary trait that stems from this that a biologist could explain better than I could. Their fun food is also a major plus at the Oregon Zoo. Who would ever refuse one of their sugary elephant ears? We are also suckers for a good gift shop, and this zoo has one of the best around.
The hours for the Oregon Zoo until May 23rd are from 9:30am to 5:30pm. After May 23rd and all the way up to September 1st, the hours are 9:00am to 6:00pm. Tickets need to be purchased online up to 30 days in advance. You will then need to select a time slot for entry. You can arrive up to 1 hour after your arrival time, or 30 minutes past your arrival time if scheduled for the end of the day. Tickets for ages 12 and up are $26, ages 2-11 are $21, and tickets for under two are free. Military with ID, the tickets are $23. I would highly recommend becoming a member, as one of the perks is that you do not need a reservation time. You will also save money if you plan on visiting the zoo more than once. For example, a membership that includes 2 named adults and 3 named children will cost $235 for a one-year, unlimited access membership.
Last December, my wife and I took our daughter, who was around 15 months old at the time, to Zoo Lights. This spectacular event is where the Oregon Zoo puts on a memorable walk-through showing of thousands of holiday lights. My family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, but even as busy as that time of year is for us, we always make sure to go to the Zoo Lights. Our most recent time there, our 15-month-old didn’t want anything to do with sitting in our (very expensive) stroller and opted to walk. She walked the entire exhibit. However, while there, she came across many other young toddlers, and they naturally teamed up to form their own little “toddler group”. The parents and grandparents were at their mercy as we followed them through the entire exhibit. I believe this is exactly what the Oregon Zoo is meant for: a place for camaraderie and friendship. A place to explore. And a place for even our youngest members of society to create their own community. The Oregon Zoo profoundly cares for its animals while fostering a connection between humans.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.