Boston
 

Going to Boston in september would like to visit an animal park any ideas?<BR>

The Boston area doesn't have any animal parks of the type that you ride through (a la Lion Country Safari). But we do have a very nice zoo, Franklin Park, which has lions, giraffes, a tropical rainforest environment pavilion, etc. <BR><BR>Farther out of the city, there's privately-owned Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, MA. <BR><BR>http://www.southwickszoo.com/

Boston also has a wonderful aquarium on the waterfront, if you're interested in the aquatic variety of animals.

Is there still a zoo in Stoneham?<BR>That's about half hour No of Boston

Check out a whale watch. You will see some big boys

Yes, the Stone Zoo is still open, it's operated by the same organization that runs the Franklin Park Zoo, which we like better.<BR><BR>http://www.zoonewengland.com/

An hour away is Providence, RI's<BR>Roger Williams Park Zoo.<BR>It is lovely.

Stone Zoo in Stoneham (about 10-15 miles north of Boston) has been opened and closed more times in the past few years than I can count. It was really quite pathetic last time I was there and they have been trying for 20 years to fix it up. Franklin Park Zoo is a nice, but small zoo, in Dorchester (part of Boston). However, unless you are really into seeing animals I would skip both and do something else - far better zoos in most parts of the country.

I went to the Franklin Park zoo many years ago and was quite saddened. Many animals looked depressed in pens that in no way represented their natural habitat. I hear it has improved, so don't take this as gospel, but after visiting the San Diego Zoo it's hard for any place to hold a candle. I also recall visiting a zoo in RI, possibly Providence, that was a bit nicer, but that too may have changed.

Harvard Square.

Forget the zoo, it is really rundown. Go to the wonderful aquarium and see the seal show. Then take a whale watching tour. You might be able to see the Giant Swans in the public gardens. Then maybe a hockey game (go Bruins! ;)

Anyone who hasn't been to the Franklin Park Zooin the past two or three years has no idea what they're talking about. The place has been completely redesigned and rehabilitated, and lots of new exhibits from lions to butterflies, and is not "run down" at all. Sure, it's smaller than the San Diego Zoo -- who isn't! <BR><BR>We like it a lot better than the Aquarium, which smells funny.

Thanks all for the responses.