Our recent visit to the National Aviary was nothing short of feather-tastic! With four kids—ages 2, 5, 7, and 10—and another on the way, planning a day full of bird-watching adventures requires military-level precision. Thankfully, the Aviary’s daily activities section on their website was a game-changer. It breaks everything down into experiences that get you close (included with admission), closer (for a small additional cost), and even closer (premium add-ons that make you feel like a VIP). With that in hand, we crafted an itinerary that was as detailed as a birdwatcher’s checklist.
10:00 AM: Check-in at National Aviary We kicked things off at 10:00 AM with check-in. The kids were buzzing with excitement as we got our wristbands, maps, and immediately started debating which bird was the coolest (spoiler: it’s still up for debate). The Aviary’s layout is fantastic, and even with our crew’s varying ages and energy levels, we knew we were in for a day full of feathered fun.
10:30 AM: Junior Penguin Encounter (Premium Add-On) Our first ever “even closer” experience was the Junior Penguin Encounter, , which was a total hit. Watching the kids get up close and personal with penguins was a sight to behold. Our 5-year-old, who’s convinced he’s destined to become the next great animal explorer, asked so many questions I’m surprised the penguin didn’t start waddling away in self-defense. Meanwhile, our 2-year-old was happy just pointing and shouting, “Waddle waddle!”—a toddler’s version of pure joy.
11:00 AM: Habitat Heroes Feeling like we could take on the world (or at least the bird world), we headed over to the Habitat Heroes show. This add-on was a great way to teach the kids about conservation while keeping them entertained. The kids loved learning about how they could help protect bird habitats, and the show was engaging enough to keep everyone’s attention—even the 2-year-old, who was surprisingly into the whole “saving the planet” vibe. The audience is completely immersed in the show as these beautiful birds soar and swoop just over our heads. The 5-year-old was so inspired that he declared himself a “Habitat Hero,” though I suspect this might involve rescuing stuffed animals more than actual wildlife.
11:30 AM: Rainforest Feeding & Explore the Tropical Rainforest Exhibit By 11:30, we were ready for the Rainforest Feeding. The tropical rainforest exhibit is an absolute stunner, with birds flying freely around a lush, green paradise. The kids were wide-eyed as they watched the birds swoop down for their meals. My 10-year-old even tried to identify each species, channeling his inner birdwatcher. We spent some extra time exploring the exhibit, which felt like a mini vacation to the tropics—minus the mosquitoes and humidity!
12:00 PM: Sky Deck At noon, it was off to the Sky Deck for another “closer” experience. This bird of prey show was a real jaw-dropper, with hawks and falcons soaring just above our heads. The kids were captivated, and I couldn’t help but wonder if these birds ever get the urge to snatch a hat or two for fun. Thankfully, our hats stayed put, but the memories of those magnificent birds are here to stay. This show is restricted to ages 5 and up, so Dad stayed back with the 2-year-old and explored some of the fun hands on stations sprinkled around the aviary - a puppet stage, children's reading nook, sensory tables, and more.
12:30-2:30 PM: Flex Time—Lunch, Ride Birdley, Explore Exhibits (Grasslands, Eagle Hall, Treetops) After the Sky Deck, we took some much-needed flex time for lunch and a bit of exploring. The Aviary’s café had something for everyone—though our 7-year-old, true to form, requested his favorite just chips. With everyone refueled, it was time for the older boys to try the Birdley virtual reality ride. Only our 10-year-old and 7-year-old were tall enough, and they came out grinning ear to ear, raving about their virtual flight adventures. Meanwhile, the rest of us explored Grasslands, Eagle Hall, and Treetops. Each exhibit offered its own unique charm, and the kids loved getting up close to the birds, though the 2-year-old kept referring to the eagles as “big birbs,” which I’m pretty sure is going to stick as a family joke.
2:30 PM: Rainbow Lorikeet Feeding & Explore Canary’s Call Exhibit At 2:30, we hit one of our favorite parts of the day—the Rainbow Lorikeet Feeding. These colorful little guys are not shy about landing on you, and the kids were thrilled to have birds perched on their arms. It was one of those magical moments that you can’t plan for but are so grateful to experience. Afterward, we explored the Canary’s Call exhibit, which was a hit with the kids, even if it did prompt them to start campaigning for a pet bird at home (the jury is still out on that one).
3:00 PM: Wetlands Feeding & Explore the Wetlands Exhibit The Wetlands Feeding was up next, and it provided a peaceful break after all the excitement. The Wetlands exhibit is beautifully designed, offering a tranquil spot to watch waterfowl in action. The kids were surprisingly quiet as they took it all in—except for the 2-year-old, who was determined to splash in the water like the ducks. Crisis averted, we continued exploring this serene part of the Aviary.
3:30 PM: Snack Break & Explore Condor Court (Outdoor Exhibit) By 3:30, we needed a snack break—because nothing fuels a bird-watching adventure like a mid-afternoon treat. After everyone was happily munching away, we headed over to Condor Court. This outdoor exhibit was the perfect way to round out the day. The condors are impressively large, and the kids were fascinated by their massive wingspans. Our 5-year-old insisted on comparing his arm span to the condors', which, as you can imagine, wasn’t even close.
4:00 PM: African Penguin Feeding & Explore Immersive Penguin Point Finally, we wrapped up our day with the African Penguin Feeding at 4:00 PM and a visit to the immersive Penguin Point. Watching these playful penguins swim and interact was the perfect ending to our adventure. The kids couldn’t get enough of their antics, and even I found myself laughing along with them.
In the end, our visit to the National Aviary was a soaring success. The detailed itinerary kept us on track, and the variety of experiences ensured that everyone had a fantastic time. Whether you’re a fan of penguins, birds of prey, or just looking for a fun and educational day out with the family, the National Aviary has something for everyone. We left with full hearts, tired feet, and plenty of stories to tell—until next time, bird friends!
| Design by rachael benion |
For more information and tickets, visit https://www.aviary.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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