I have a best friend, her name is Kelsey, and for the last 4 years of our friendship we have done notably fun, dumb, and spontaneous things together. While most of them were during college, these didn't stop once we lived more than a few blocks (or doors) away from one another.
Which is why we ended up in Omaha, Nebraska in August when it was roughly 1000 degrees outside the last weekend before kids started back to school. We had no business being at the zoo -- we are 23 and 24 year old childless females who honestly had nothing better to do than walk around looking at animals and gossiping for a few hours when we definitely could have done that in a hotel room with air conditioning and wine.
Now, should you decide to brave the zoo with or without children, know that it is not small. You're going to need comfy shoes, sunscreen, and lots of patience. On a different day would you get to be closer to and see more animals? Probably not. It's the zoo. It's summer. Parents are running out of activities to do with their children.
For size reference, here's the map. Chances are there will be fewer children the further you get from the "cool" and indoor/kids stuff.
You'll notice that there aren't a lot of animal pictures in this blog because we didn't see very many animals. It was too hot for several of them, too crowded for others, and we had a general game plan... desert dome, aquarium, touch some sting rays, look at some crocodiles, go home.
And that's what we did.
Desert Dome: The Only Pricks We Can Tolerate
Review: 8/10, very cool but narrow and hot and lots of strollers. A very cool atmosphere, lots of photo opportunities, a few prickly bois, but if you do anything at the zoo just for yourself and you aren't into aquariums, this should be it.
Aquarium: Where the F**k Are the Sharks
Review: 9/10, there are sharks but also a lot of strollers, unattended kids and it's very loud. Waiting on the sharks is cool, and there is a lot of educational information present if you are under 12 years old. Jellyfish are some intense little dudes too. And the ocean is a scary place if you really think about it.
Sting Rays: They Kinda Feel Gross
Review: 10/10, they will splash you, it wasn't as crowded as you'd think, and it's as up close and personal as I'll ever be with the animal that took out Steve Irwin. RIP. Pay the money to go if you're by yourself or you're with your kids. They're pretty funny little critters, especially when they start splashing and putting on a show.
Crocodiles: It's Dark In Here And I Can't Breathe
Review: 7/10, coolness factor is there, but I don't recommend if you have GAD or other anxiety disorders. It's dark, and these dudes could kill you. Watch your step.
General Reviews and Comments:
BYOGDS (Bring your own GD snacks). You will be waiting FOR-EV-ER in line if you don't, just like everyone else. We would have benefited from tucking a few granola bars into our bags and bringing refillable water bottles.
Kids will run in front of you, behind you, around you, and accidentally bump into you.
The bathrooms are pretty disgusting and not air conditioned, so just be prepared for that.
Patience is a virtue, one that we lack, so just know you'll be tested. All. Day. Long.
We aren't shitting on the zoo by any means, we're both big fans of zoos minus the whole "animals in captivity" thing, which is a bit hypocritical if you think about it.
Just know that you're getting what you pay for, you're waiting, you're walking, you're surrounding yourselves with kids willingly because it's a family attraction.
In conclusion, you probably won't catch us back at the zoo unless we're in Kansas City. And you definitely won't catch us at the zoo the last weekend of freedom before kiddos head back to the grind and start learning in a classroom again instead of out in the wild.
Following Up... Here are some cool food and snack locations in Omaha.
Voodoo Taco
Location: Aksarben Village, 67th & Center, Omaha, NE
Recommendation: Barbacoa Beef Taco, Smoked Brisket Taco, Pork Carnitas Taco
Freezing Thai Rolled Ice Cream
Location: 1918 S 67th St, Omaha, NE 68106
Recommendation: Anything, it's ice cream.
Ciao,
Courtney
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