Summer Vacation Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

[iggysbirds]

Okay I wish summer was here but its not so to look forward to summer we are starting to plan our vacation for this summer. We are doing a "zoo tour" type vacation so for those of you who live in or have visited the states listed help me out here. We are definitely going to Cleveland Ohio (can anyone tell me more about the zoo there or is there one?, what is the best zoo in Ohio?) and we are going to the coast in New Jersey so we will also be passing through Pennsylvania. What are the best zoos, aviaries or points of interest along that path, anyone??? I know someone mentioned in a past post either one in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh and I think there is an aviary somewhere in New Jersey but not sure what or where it is.

Also places to stay. We are going in the low price range maybe ranging from Motel 6, Super 8, Days Inn or Best Western. Any suggestions of good moderately priced hotel chains or specific ones in that range? Thanks for any help!

[mamalovesrico]

Yes, there is a zoo in Cleveland. I live in Toledo, which is 2 hours west of Cleveland. We have a fantastic zoo and National Geographic magazine even listed our hippopotamus exhibit as one of the top 10 zoo exhibits in the U.S. Let me know if you end up coming and I'll tell you where to find the motels in which your looking.

[cpryslek]

stay away from days inn at all places. we have stayed at 3 different ones and regretted all of them. as for the zoos, go to your local zoo and get a membership. most of the recipacating zoos offer 50% off or free admission. we have a membership from greenville zoo. we can get into knoxville zoo for free. that is a family of 4 savings of $60.

[DJspets]

Cincinatti Zoo has been rated one of the top zoo's in the country. I've been there and it is great!

Donna

[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-

[Vega]

Here's a link to the PGH Aviary. I haven't been there since grade school, but it's not far from where I live. If you go to the Guest Services there's a bunch of links

http://www.aviary.org/

Here's a link to the PGH Zoo & PPG Aquarium

http://www.pittsburghzoo.com/


And another place I once visited and was quite taken with...Falling Waters...Brad Pitt visited ther least year, a surprise bday gift from Angelina. THat was "big news" lol

http://www.paconserve.org/

[kathleen]

On your way, stop off in NY to see the Bronx Zoo. It's awesome.

[dwiseley]

The Toledo zoo is so much nicer than Cleveland's. Cleveland does, however, have the RocknRoll Hall of Fame!! The Columbus Zoo is really nice as well. But, I still prefer Toledo overall. There is also a COSI in Toledo, the lake,... It is a nice city. JMHO

If you are taking your birds, there is an excellent avian vet in Toledo as well.

JMHO

diana

[iggysbirds]

I remember in a past post someone talking about a hot air balloon that you can ride out over the zoo or city, which zoo is that at if anyone knows?? We started to plan this vacation a year or so ago but then got busy with moving and didn't get to take a vacation at all last year (at least not a real one only weekend trips) so this one has to be a great one to make up for it LOL! Also if you had to choose where is the best beach or coast area in New Jersey, we don't have a set area we are going to there my husband just said at least part of the time we had to be on the coast or on the beach. The whole vacation has to be very kid to teen friendly. There are six of us traveling together. Three adults and three kids ages 8, 11, 13. They all love animals (and we leave our animals at home with caretakers to go see more animals LOL! sounds like a real vacation huh?) and they love the ocean so this will be the perfect vacation for them. So from what I am hearing Cincinnati is much better than Cleveland as far as zoos etc?? What about say Pittsburgh compared to Philadelphia zoos. I am not only talking about actual size of the zoo but how animals are displayed or treated. Are they set up more the old fashioned caged style or with nicer realistic looking habitats where the animals can hopefully thrive instead of laying there.

How are highways etc through those areas. We have traveled through St. Louis MO, somewhat hectic but not horrible. KC is easy anymore we are there constantly. When we went down to Florida most areas were a piece of cake but Atlanta was a complete nightmare and I will hopefully never go through there again. Even going on the highways around the city were just as bad so if any of these areas are that bad or close to that bad traveling we want to avoid it!!!! Anymore info would be a great help and keep the opinions coming!

[iggysbirds]

Oh almost forgot with the temps, rainfall, climate etc in those areas when is the best time (usually) to travel around there? Would the middle to end of May be okay or would early June be better? We want to go when it is warm enough for shorts and t-shirts no jackets but not so stifling hot you sweat to death walking around the zoo?

Oh also for those of you who have went to a lot of the zoos can you give me a comparison. We love the Omaha zoo with the walk through aquarium the more natural looking rainforest and other habitat settings and would give in a 10 compared to the other zoos we have visited. If you have visited the Omaha zoo and the others I have asked about give me a bit of a comparison on how it ranks, THANKS