OT: Beardsly Zoo, CT

[njmomtoone]

Has anyone been there? Is it big/small?

The weather looks great (in the 50s) this weekend and we would like to try a new zoo. We are zoo members and enjoy trying other zoos.

Any feedback would be great!

 

[joedplumber]

It is a very small zoo but my kids still enjoy a visit.

Me and my DW visit every summer when they have their wine tasting...

Not sure it is worth a long drive to visit though.

 

[Gorechick]

It's a very small zoo and not sure if it is even open during the winter months, you may want to check. There are some nice Children's Museums in the surrounding towns if you'd like to look into those.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Very small zoo. It takes less than 2 hours start to finish & that's if you take it very slowly.

 

[njmomtoone]

Thanks everyone for the quick reply! It's a 90 minute drive for us from NJ, so I think we will try somewhere else.

 

[CTdiznymom]

If you're driving from NJ you can stop in Norwalk and visit the Childrens Museum, the Maritime Museum which also has an IMAX. Then drive northbound another 20 minutes and you can check out the zoo. Or see what's happening at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Maybe catch a hockey game and the zoo. Or hit the beach area for a brisk walk on the shore then stop and have some lunch. There's definately enough to do in the area if you pair the zoo with another venue.

 

[meajuly5]

Check out mystic aquarium and seaport

 

[Salrx95]

mystic is at least 1 hour further up I-95 from Norwalk.

Close to the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is the Stepping Stones Children Museum, fun for kids under 10.

As others have said, Beardsley is a nice but small zoo.

 

[JDX4]

If you're driving from NJ you can stop in Norwalk and visit the Childrens Museum, the Maritime Museum which also has an IMAX. Then drive northbound another 20 minutes and you can check out the zoo. Or see what's happening at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Maybe catch a hockey game and the zoo. Or hit the beach area for a brisk walk on the shore then stop and have some lunch. There's definately enough to do in the area if you pair the zoo with another venue.

I agree with the idea about the Stepping Stones Children's Museum and the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. They are about a 20 minute drive once you enter CT. My kids especially loved the shark tank at the aquarium.

The Beardsley Zoo is a nice, small zoo that is open year round, but I think it is nicer in the spring and summer. They have peacocks that roam free, and I doubt they are out in the winter, but I could be wrong. They have tigers, bears, a pretty neat groundhog display where you can go in tunnels to see them up close, and some indoor buildings with reptiles and monkeys. The cost is $12 for adults and $10 for kids. There is also a beautiful indoor carousel that I believe is from the early 1900s. It's a nice place to visit, but like I said, probably better in warmer weather.

 

[njmomtoone]

We have been to the Norwalk several times and its really nice. We were looking for somethign outdoors since it is supopsed to be 55 degrees which is a rare treat in january. The Stepping Stones looks nice too, but my son is 10 and it looks like its geared for yougner kids. I will look into the beach are a for a nice and lunch. Maybe we weon't rule it out just yet.