[Eliza]

Philadelphia Zoo (PA) is the nation's oldest zoo. I haven't been in close to a decade but it's nice.

I believe that there is a zoo in Pittsburgh, PA (roughly 6 hrs away from Philly; closer to OH by my poor sense of geography). The National Aviary is also there. I have friends in P-burgh and hope to get up to visit them and the aviary soon ;)

I do not know of an aviary in NJ. There are a few small zoos; the Cape May County Park & Zoo (at the southern tip of the state) is really quite nice. In fact, I MUCH prefer it to the Phila. Zoo. There is the Popcorn Park Zoo which is near the central Jersey, maybe? There are ads for it time to time in Bird Talk. It's a sanctuary for all sorts of abandoned and abused animals ranging from pet 'tiels to sideshow big cats.

NJ has A LOT of coast. Where abouts will you be going?

Hotels? Hmmm... I used to stay in Days Inns w/ the 'rents back in the day with little to no problems. I'm partial to Super 8's for some reason. There's a lot of family owned stuff at the Jersey shore so you might luck into some good rates, depending on when you go.

-e-