I received tickets to the Los Angeles Zoo in exchange for this post. All the content and Los Angeles Zoo summer tips for families are my own.
We live a few hours from the Los Angeles Zoo and it’s one of our favorite places to take the kids throughout the year.
Last week we took the kids up for World Elephant Day and boy was it HOT!
So hot that one of our kiddos actually started getting a little heat sickness and we had to head home earlier than planned.
Don’t let this stop you from planning a summer day at the zoo.
This mama was unprepared and I’m writing this post to give you my best tips for a successful summer trip to the Los Angeles Zoo.
LA Zoo Summer Fun | World Elephant Day
Before you head to the zoo check out the activities going on.
The Los Angeles Zoo has lots of activities for families and adults during the summer and throughout the year.
We attended during World Elephant Day! This event is held once a year and is meant to raise awareness for elephants in the wild and the elephants care at the zoo.
Did you know 96 Elephants are killed each day by poachers in Africa? That number was mind blowing to me.
One of the coolest things about going to Los Angeles Zoo on World Elephant Day is that they offer a behind the scenes tour of the elephant barn!
I’ve always been impressed with the LA Zoo elephant exhibit. They have the biggest elephant habitat I’ve ever seen at a zoo, with different areas they can walk to.
The behind the scenes tour of the barn was really cool. It’s huge and the elephants have lots of room inside to stay safe during bad weather days.
At the end of the tour we got to meet Billy the elephant. The zoo staff told us all about his enrichment and how they care for him.
It’s really cool to see the relationship the keepers build with the elephants at the zoo!
Staying Cool at the LA Zoo
It’s been abnormally humid this summer in SoCal, which is something I should have been prepared for on our zoo trip.
Make sure to check the weather before your visit. If it is above 80 degrees definitely prepare for heat.
Here are some great ways to stay cool at the zoo:
- Apply sunscreen throughout the day. Even if you put on sunscreen before you go, it can wear off, especially if it’s humid. Make sure to pack some to reapply during the day.
- Wear hats or bring an umbrella. I saw lots of people throughout the day with umbrellas and wished I would have thought of that!
- Hydrate: Pack water bottles, a hydration pack, or purchase water at one of the many restaurants and shops in the zoo. My kids were thirsty all day from the heat and walking.
- Find shady and indoor exhibits in the zoo or take a break at one of the zoo restaurants. There are lots of indoor exhibits and shady spots throughout the zoo. Lair is so much fun and was very cool for the kids.
- Take it easy: Park in front of a shady exhibit and watch the animals. We sat in front of the lions for about 30 minutes and loved watching them interact.
We had to put lots of sunscreen on our baby during our visits and finding shady spots was key!
You may also like: Family tips for Knott’s Soak City Buena Park
Don’t Miss This at the LA Zoo
There are lots of fun exhibits at the Los Angeles Zoo! Make sure you see these before you go.
- Watch the otters play at the rain-forest exhibit
- Check out the elephants in their huge habitat
- Watch the chimpanzees and gorillas play
- Plan on feeding the giraffes, it’s such a fun experience!
- Talk to the keepers, they know so much!
LA Zoo Discounts
It’s easy to find LA Zoo discounts because they often have them listed on their website.
One of the biggest perks of the zoo is the free parking!
The zoo is located right in Griffith Park and is close to other family activities and museums.
Plan your trip to Los Angeles Zoo
Have you been to Los Angeles Zoo in the summer? How do you stay cool? I would love to hear your tips in the comments below!
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