Grand Rapids Michigan Area – John Ball Zoo is Free and Fun in the Winter!

Although going to the zoo in the winter…yes I said the WINTER is something my family and I have done for quite a few years, I don’t believe many people are aware of this wonderful opportunity for family fun.

Now I know this is not the typical thought of what fun in the wintertime is….for most people are quite correctly thinking more in the lines of snowboarding / skiing, ice skating, down hill sledding etc…which as we all know are very great fun during this time of year!

My husband and I began taking our kids to the zoo in the winter when they were young.  We would always choose a bright and sunny winter day, without too much wind, for if you are FREEZING, it will pretty much take all the fun right out of it.  I vividly remember my husband suggesting it for the very first time for I really was not at all that enthusiastic about going…frankly my husband had to pretty much drag me, for my idea of fun in the winter is cozying up next to a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate (and marshmallow’s of course) with a pretty candle or two, along with a good book… then I am a content and happy girl.

I did go (however just a little begrudgingly) putting on all my winter wear, for I truly dislike being cold, and off we went with our two young son’s for our first trip to the Zoo in the winter and to my astonishment…IT WAS FREE!!    Not only was it free I found it was really very beautiful which of course for me made it much more enjoyable!  What with the sparking snow on the trees in the bright blue sunny sky, wow…was I pleasantly and totally surprised.  

Oh… and another thing that surprised me even more was the fact that the animals were all awake and VERY active and because of this were so much more fun to see and watch. I don’t think my kids ever saw the animals move and play around so much before, for even they had noticed it!  In the summer months the animals (this is just my perception) are usually so hot they will simply lie around most of the day just trying to stay cool, out of the sun and they really don’t seem to have much energy either.

So, if you’re looking for a new type of winter family fun.... at a cost everyone can afford I would highly recommend taking a trip to the Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo…remember…sunny day without much wind, dress warm and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Pictures taken by: Therese VanderMeer 

Want to know about homes in the Grand Rapids or Jension, MI area’s?  Feel free to e-mail me at tvandemeer@grar.com.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.  :-)