Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
There are times when we wander a bit farther than normal, and today’s blog post is a prime example of that! Welcome to our first post in a series we entitled “Wandering Beyond Erie!” And, even though most of what we want to show you is about what to do in Erie, PA, we know sometimes it’s important to answer the question what’s close to Erie, PA?
On a beautiful summer day when you’re looking for fun and adventure, sometimes there’s nothing better than taking a drive on the highway to spend the day walking around a beautiful zoo! We decided to do just that as we went on a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo!
Location:
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is located at 7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, which is roughly two hours from Erie, PA. The zoo has a couple entrances, so when you’re coming in it can be a bit tricky to navigate. However, there are signs posted! The zoo boasts a HUGE parking lot, with enough access for strollers or wheelchairs.
Property Description:
This is a rather large zoo in Pennsylvania at 77 acres, especially when in comparison to the Erie Zoo at 15 acres. There are cement paths to walk on, and every exhibit is accessible by wheelchair or stroller, whether there are stairs going up to the exhibit or not. There are many different animal enclosures with various forms of fencing, be it natural or man-made, to keep you separate from your animal friends. Different buildings are located throughout the property, giving the choice to take a peek inside or continue on your way. The zoo features beautiful greenery, where you will see mammals and reptiles from all over the globe. The aquarium boasts brilliantly colored aquatic life from around the world, along with a lush rainforest and waterfalls.
Things to do:
There is so much fun to be had walking around the zoo! With over 4,000 animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo representing 475 species, there is bound to be interest for the whole family! We had a few favorites on our trip; which included the lemurs, big cats, komodo dragons, otters, and sea lions!
Not only are there exhibits to look at, but the zoo features a lot of interaction between guest and animal. We were lucky enough to get up close and personal with a bearded dragon and his keeper as we were walking along! You can also go on a “Wild Encounter” to learn more about specific exhibits, and go behind the scenes with animals such as elephants, giraffes, red pandas, and even sharks! This is something that will cost you a little extra ($250 per group), but may be well worth the experience. We did not try one of these encounters, but might consider it for a future trip.
If you need a break and the kids want to play, the zoo features a play area called “Kids Kingdom.” Kids can run, climb, and slide in the playground.
You’re going to want to pack a snack to bring with you, or you can visit one of the many locations for food and beverage throughout the zoo! Village Market, Arctic Express, Swahili Pizza, and Swahili Ice Cream are all great quick service counters, while the Jambo Grill (located in the exact middle of the zoo) offers a great made-to-order menu with a beautiful seating area surrounding the building. We opted for Dippin’ Dots, and I must say they were pretty delicious.
There are three gift shops located in the zoo; two in the front of the zoo where you enter and exit, and one in the PPG Aquarium. You’ll find everything from plushies to animal figures, t-shirts and tank tops, mugs and jewelry. The selection is expansive, allowing everyone in the family to find a souvenir they will cherish.
Who Can Go:
The zoo is a great place for anyone, young and old! We saw everyone from tiny babies to great-grandparents enjoying their day at the zoo. It’s wonderful for families, dates, school trips, and visits with friends.
The zoo is very inclusive and offers sensory bags and weighted lap pads available to check out while you’re on your zoo adventure. There is also an app you can download from their website to further enhance your visit.
Final Thoughts:
This zoo is a great place to go to if you’re looking for an all day activity that you’re willing to take a little bit of a lengthy drive from Erie to get to. We spent about four hours there during our trip, and I honestly think we could’ve stayed even longer. It was a nice experience for the little ones, and we will definitely be returning in the future.
If you’re on the search for zoos in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Zoo would be a great stop on your quest to find the best zoo in PA!
I also want to point out that they were setting up for a really cool event, The Asian Lantern Festival, while we were there. This year (2021), it runs on select nights from August 14 until October 30. As it gets darker, the lanterns will glow and new entertainment will be provided. The lanterns will be on display at all hours, but the actual festival is a ticketed event separate from regular daytime admission.
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Check out the link below to find out more information and to plan your visit to the zoo!
[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]
Wander Erie 