Okay, this might not be the most popular opinion but I think I like the Zoo better at Christmas than during the summer. I know it’s silly but enliven though I love seeing the animals and the blooms; my ultimate favorite is how they light up the Cincinnati Zoo for the Holidays.
This year I went with Bridget and Grant. Our first trip was an epic fail. We spent over an hour just trying to move a mile up the road. Obviously we didn’t get into the Zoo that night. So we tried again on Friday night and were successful!
We started off the afternoon by Bridget coming over and then us heading down! I offered to drive to be nice and hello heated seat! We parked in one of the auxiliary lots which is fine and entered the zoo while it was still day light out. We visited the reindeer (still exhausted from their trip around the world). Then we hit the food trucks up to grab dinner and Hot Chocolate with Holiday Cheer (Baileys Irish Cream). We sat and ate our food waiting for it to get dark.
Once it was dark we were off! We walked all over the zoo and I must admit there are a few new spots this year that really caught my attention! They have this newer light that is like a weeping willow leaf. They had it dangling on a good amount of their trees and it was absolutely stunning. I might’ve hidden in the “leaves” a few times.
Another light they have that I really love is the butterflies outside the insect house. The way the light moves it looks as if they are flying. Bridget and I really enjoyed watching those while Grant checked out the insect house.
Right before you get to the Christmas Tree they have this area decorated wig color changing lights. It’s all over the trail so it’s like walking through a fairyland! I loved it. I could have stayed looking at those lights all night long.
They also have the ever famous Christmas Tree that I can’t help but pose in-front of. I have taken a picture in front of that tree every year for probably the last ten or so years. It’s funny watching how much has changed and how much hasn’t by looking at those pictures.
After the tree we walked over to the lake where we listened to the music and watched the light display. I think my favorite was watching “Do you wanna build a snowman?” I’m not sure what it is but I absolutely adore the “Frozen” movie. It’s really cute and makes me smile whenever I watch it. Plus watching the lights change as the song continued was magical.
After we walked past the lake we did visit the animals I got to see the brand new baby giraffe who was absolutely precious and the manatees. I love how Cincinnati takes in Manitees then rehabilitates them to release them back into the wild. I love that this is normal for our zoo and they are always working to better the world for animals.
After the animals and the lights it was time to head towards the exit. The very last thing we did was to walk through the tunnel of lights. It’s basically a giant rainbow tunnel for everyone to walk through and feel inspired. I love it.
After the zoo we walked back to my car to head home. We debated dinner but couldn’t eat anymore after all the hot chocolate we drank. Have you checked out your local zoo yet?
The Real Elle Woodz 