Seneca Park Zoo, located in Rochester, NY, is a wonderful destination for a family day trip, especially for those looking to introduce their kids to the beauty of nature and wildlife conservation. On a recent trip, my family and I spent a day exploring the zoo, and it turned out to be both educational and engaging for all of us, particularly for my boys, who were fascinated by the different animals and their environments.

When we arrived, the first thing that struck me was the zoo’s layout—it’s divided into different regions, representing various habitats around the world. It’s clear that Seneca Park Zoo has undergone major improvements in recent years, with a commitment to expanding naturalistic enclosures and highlighting species from different ecosystems. As we strolled through, it was easy to get a sense of the zoo’s mission: conservation and education are at the forefront of their efforts.

We started our adventure at the Rocky Coasts exhibit, where the boys were immediately drawn to the sea lions. Watching them glide effortlessly through the water, performing flips and interacting with each other, was a highlight. There’s something magical about seeing these animals up close, and it gave us the opportunity to talk to the boys about marine life and the importance of protecting our oceans.

Next, we ventured into the A Step Into Africa section, where we got to observe majestic animals like the African lions and elephants. The boys were in awe of the size and power of the lions, and I took the chance to explain how lions are a keystone species, playing a critical role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem. My oldest, August, asked insightful questions about how the zoo helps protect endangered animals, which led to a conversation with one of the zookeepers. They were more than happy to explain the zoo’s breeding programs and efforts to support animal conservation globally.

One of the zoo’s standout features is its interactive educational stations. At the elephant exhibit, we encountered a zookeeper talk that captivated not just the boys, but myself and my wife as well. We learned about the challenges facing African elephants in the wild, such as habitat loss and poaching, and what we can do to help. The boys seemed particularly moved by the story of the elephants’ resilience and asked what we could do to help protect these amazing creatures in the wild.

As we made our way through the zoo, we encountered animals from the cold tundras in the Animals of the Cold exhibit, which houses species like polar bears and snow leopards. I could tell this area resonated with my youngest, Roman, who is always intrigued by animals that thrive in cold, snowy environments (probably because Buffalo winters are just as chilly!). The polar bear exhibit is particularly impressive, with underwater viewing areas that allow you to see the bears swimming up close.

Seneca Park Zoo does a great job blending fun with learning. They offer hands-on activities for kids, like the interactive trail maps and environmental conservation quizzes, which kept my boys engaged throughout the day. We also visited the eco-friendly butterfly garden, which added a peaceful element to our visit and sparked some great conversations with the boys about pollinators and their importance to ecosystems.

For anyone with kids, I highly recommend visiting Seneca Park Zoo. It’s small enough to navigate easily in a day, but packed with rich educational opportunities that make it a rewarding trip for adults and children alike. Just make sure to check out their daily talks and feeding sessions—they’re the perfect way to get up close and personal with the animals and learn directly from the experts. My boys left wanting to learn more about wildlife and conservation, which made me feel like the trip was a success!