Our visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium was nothing short of wild—pun fully intended. As a mom-to-be with four kiddos in tow (ages 2, 5, 7, and 10), I’m always on the lookout for places that can entertain the whole crew without requiring a search-and-rescue mission every 20 minutes. Pittsburgh Zoo delivered in spades, and I’m here to tell you why this zoo stands out from the pack.
First off, let’s talk about what really sets Pittsburgh Zoo apart: the incredible level of engagement for children as they explore. This place isn’t just about looking at animals from behind glass—it’s a full-on interactive adventure. Everywhere we turned, there were opportunities for our kids to get moving, playing, and pretending. From balance beams to playgrounds, to the beach zone and bridge area, there’s no shortage of brain breaks that help little ones reset between habitats.
My 2-year-old daughter loved the kangaroo area where she could hop around with her marsupial friends, and the older boys found the playgrounds and balance beams perfect for burning off some of that endless energy. These physical reset zones are genius, especially if you’ve got kids who might struggle with the attention demands of more traditional zoos. The engaging layout means they’re constantly switching gears and staying interested—and that’s a win for any parent. It’s especially beneficial for the neurodivergent community, who may find the constant movement and activity a perfect match for their needs.
Now, onto the add-ons! We hopped on the Wild Express train, which, I’ll be honest, is adorably cute but probably only worth it if you’ve got toddlers in tow. Our 5-year-old’s brutally honest take? “But mom, they’re not even REAL animals!”—a comment delivered with the kind of deadpan that only a 5-year-old can muster. While it may not have been his favorite, our 2-year-old was mesmerized, so I’d say it’s a win if you’re catering to the younger crowd.
The giraffe feeding, however, was an absolute highlight—probably not just of our day but of my 41 years on this planet. There’s something about getting up close and personal with those long-necked beauties that made my heart skip a beat. Watching the kids nervously hold out veggies to the giraffes, only to dissolve into giggles as those giant tongues wrapped around the food, was pure joy. If you do nothing else at the zoo, make sure you don’t miss this experience. It’s a memory-maker, for sure.
And, of course, no visit to a zoo is complete without a spin on the old-fashioned merry-go-round. It’s one of those timeless attractions that never fails to delight, no matter how old you are. The kids loved it, and it gave me a chance to catch my breath and just enjoy the moment—an increasingly rare luxury these days!
One thing we didn’t get to try was the Critter Craze experience, but it’s definitely on our bucket list for next time. It sounds like an absolute blast, and if it’s anything like the rest of the zoo, I’m sure it’ll be a hit with the whole family.
Pro tip for fellow parents: Start at the back of the zoo, at the aquarium, and work your way backward, especially if you’re arriving first thing in the morning. This strategy helped us avoid the crowds and made our zoo experience feel like we had the place almost to ourselves—at least for a little while.
All in all, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a top-notch destination for families. With its engaging layout, interactive zones, and a few add-on experiences that are well worth the splurge, it’s a must-visit. Just be ready for some brutally honest commentary from your kids—and a giraffe feeding experience that might just make your entire year!
| Design by rachael benion |
For more information and tickets, visit https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/
**This is a hosted review, which is a fancy way of saying we didn’t get paid, but we did get free tickets in exchange for our honest opinions. And trust me, we’re brutally honest—just ask our kids about broccoli. As always, our thoughts are our own, except for the times when ChatGPT helps us sound a little less like nitpicky perfectionists. (Because let’s face it, I can be a bit pedantic!) Rest assured, the opinions here are 100% ours—well, maybe 99% with a little AI assist.**
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