This is
another great place for kids who would like to have fun, but only so much of
it, largely due to a pronounced ADD gene (that my kids, in fact, have).
Greenville,
like Asheville to the north, is another one of those small southern cities that
are not too big, not too small, but just right. The shopping is superb. There
are great restaurants (California Dreamin’ is our favorite) to choose from. You’ll
be surprised how many good concert acts this area attracts. There is a Minor
League Baseball team, a killer children’s museum and an airport, the
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport that is more than adequate for
most domestic travel. In addition, has fantastic parks and recreation areas.
In one of
these parks happens to be the Greenville Zoo. It is open every day, admission
is nine dollars for adults, six (I believe) for kids. Trip Advisor says to plan
for a ‘one hour to a one and a half hour visit’ for the zoo, which seems about
right. I doubt there are more than 100 animals on display, but the ones they
have always grab my kids’ attention.
The visitor
starts out with various monkeys—clever, I would imagine a monkey leaping around
and doing tricks would be more interesting to watch than, say, flamingos. The
kids at least seem to think so. Immediately after the monkeys comes the
Ektopia, mostly lizards, insects and amphibians. There’s a poison arrow frog, a
huge iguana, a tarantula, and a Burmese python.
So far, it’s
an uphill climb in the zoo, so the kids still have energy to burn. Next, I
would hang a right at the picnic area. Walk a little bit, and you’ll come
across two of the superstars of the African savanna. There are two full grown
male lions that can be seen up close and in their full Lion King glory. From
our own experience, a lion’s roar can carry, and we can hear it outside of the
zoo after we leave. Next to the lions is a family of giraffes. Mother, Father,
and Kid. Across from the giraffes are the giant tortoises, which means you are
halfway through your visit.
That means:
time for a break. There is a concession stand and also a playground nearby, so
the kids can burn some more energy. Immediately after the break, the Greenville
Zoo makes sure it can continue to hold your kids’ attention. There is an orangutan
and a leopard, almost side by side, although they can’t see each other. Until a
few years ago, there was an elephant display, although I understand the
elephants both died.
The last downhill
stretch is a snap. There are ocelots and coatis, further down an impressive
alligator display, where you can see the alligators through the underwater
glass. Near the exit, the Greenville Zoo has a petting zoo that features goats,
chickens, ducks, and a grumpy Vietnamese pot bellied pig.
For an
encore, as you exit the zoo, the parking lot is next to a gigantic playground,
which means you can catch your breath while the kids, probably inspired by the
monkeys, do a little climbing of their own.
Even at a
slow pace, I would take one and a half hours for the zoo (including breaks),
plus at least another half hour for the playground.
A good family expedition, when all is said and done. Great value for your entertainment dollar. When all is said and done, it should take half a day, including lunch.
A good family expedition, when all is said and done. Great value for your entertainment dollar. When all is said and done, it should take half a day, including lunch.
