Before I'd ever visited the Red River Zoo, I asked a friend of mine who worked there what it was like. She said, "It's small but good." That pretty much sums it up. This is not a large zoo, but it's not trying to be anything it's not. On a summer day, you can walk from end to end twice and not feel exhausted or like you missed something. There is enough to see that you don't get bored, but it's not overwhelming. I remember going to larger zoos when I was a kid and coming out exhausted, but this is just the right size.

There is a wide variety of animals, and everyone who works there is friendly. Grab some Dippin' Dots ice cream and enjoy watching the goats fight in the petting zoo or the RED PANDAS lounging on their branches. The MEERKATS, RUSSIAN RED SQUIRRELS, and PRARIE DOGS are frantic treats to watch, and the WHITE-LIPPED DEER and SICHUAN TAKIN are calm and majestic. You can finish off the day with a CAROUSEL RIDE for only a dollar and still have enough energy to go inside and look and the TAMARINS, COCKROACHES, SEA TURTLES, and a multitude of lizards and snakes. Visit redriverzoo.org for everything you need to know, including a calendar of events.