Vacation with 16 yr old
 

I am taking my grandson on a trip for his 16th birthday and am looking for some suggestions. He doesn't do amusement parks. He loves reptiles and would like to go to college for hematology. Would anyone know of a place on the East Coast especially if you can interact with the reptiles?

There is Reptile Gardens in South Dakota. Not sure of anything on the east coast.

I found this for snakes...

http://www.minitime.com/trip-tips/Snakes-Alive-6-Standout-Serpentariums-article

Perhaps Everglades NP in Florida.

The Bronx Zoo?

https://bronxzoo.com/exhibits/world-of-reptiles

along with the Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians at the American Museum of Natural History?

Several zoos in the USA have Komodo dragons, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC. Google Komodo Dragon USA to see some of the others. They are really a cool animal to see. I would not want to interact with one though.

good luck its a rough trip but I second that zoos are a great thing

I'm cringing a bit at sharing this because I'm very much against venomous snakes as pets but he might be interested in this:

East Coast Reptile Super Expos

Also this:

Reptile Discovery Center - Home

And I'm sure it was auto correct that changed the correct herpetology into hematology.

Have you asked him where and what he'd like to do? It's such a great opportunity for a great trip. Zoos will have parts for reptiles, of course, which also says "big city" for other chances for fun stuff. Maybe a college look around also.