- By Monroe Payne, Monroe Payne Photography
- Around Town
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Grandkids are in town this week, and where do all grandchildren want to go?To the Zoo of course.
It had been eons since I had been to a zoo – one in North Carolina about 20 years ago, and the 'Burnet Park Zoo' back when I was a teenager. Burnet park still exists and is host to the zoo, but the zoo has changed its name to the 'Rosamond Gifford Zoo'. What's in a name? Isn't a Zoo a Zoo?
TripAdvisor.com has the zoo listed as the #1 thing to do in Syracuse, and bills it as 'The Best Day Ever'.
We'll see.
Of course, we selected the hottest day of the year to visit the zoo – but were nonetheless greeted by the genuinely smiling faces of the staff who each gave the impression of actually enjoying being there. Even the people in the blistering sun were smiling. This is a good sign.
Wandering through the indoor exhibits the grandchildren were happily bounding from one display to the next taking great delight in being the first to actually see the creature effectively camouflaged in its man-made environment.
Of course the monkeys were a big hit with their playful antics and the otters twisting and diving in the pond with joyful abandon. Even the penguins were coping with the heat well, preening, grooming and doing their usual penguiny stuff.
The one-year-old elephant Batu, in all his fuzzy baby glory was out for all to see in the new elephant pasture, thoroughly enjoying being with his mom and his new digs.
I'm very pleased to say that the care the animals receive at the zoo is absolutely top shelf. Their condition is good, cages clean, and very little odor - which was remarkable on this hot and sticky day.
Each major feature and enclosure very publicly thanks everyone who donated so generously to make that particular part of the zoo possible.
The only part of the zoo that did not exceed my expectations was the Jungle Café. I ordered a 'whole' turkey sandwich and got 2 normal grocery bread sandwiches with turkey, lettuce and tomato for $8.50. Apparently a half sandwich is a whole one and a whole one is 2 singles. Confused? Me too, but it was good substantial food at a price you would expect at an attraction. The fries are great though… I mean, REALLY great.
Even with the heat, the four of us had a wonderful time and will be back again. From Lansing, expect about an hour and a half ride up 81 and on to 690 West, and follow the zoo signs. See? For a fun day trip with the kids – or grandkids, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is really within reach!
Organizations can have their events at the zoo; for instance the Cornell Alumni Association holds their annual event 'Far Above Cayuga's Wineries' fundraiser each January at the Zoo.
This August 5 is 'Brew at the Zoo', a fundraiser held by the 'Friends of the Zoo'. Really, '…who knew philanthropic endeavors could taste so good?' (from the web site)
The zoo is open 10AM to 4:30PM daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, and the price is very reasonable. 2 kids and 2 grandparents made it in for only $21, a heckuva deal for all the fun we had.
Take a day, take your family. You will have a great time and it is absolutely 'Within Reach'!
'Within Reach' highlights the food, wine and fun of places 'within Reach' of Lansing NY. Of course, your reach extends exactly as far as you want it to. I am Monroe Payne, Uncle Monte to some. Come with me as I visit, taste and play in our own back yard, the beautiful Finger Lakes of Central New York.
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