Review - Texas - McKinney - Heard Muesum

Dinosaurs Live, the animatronics dinosaurs outdoor walking trail, has re-opened at the Heard Museum located in McKinney, Texas within short driving distance of Dallas. The exhibit will end February 15, 2021.

 

The Science Museum located on the main level (2nd floor) inside the visitor center is available year-round as is the children's Pioneer Village western-themed playground and the Animals of the World exhibits just past that area.

 

 

In front of the museum you can explore some natural plants and photo-op statues (be careful as some can get hot in full sun).

 

 

 

On the lower level you will find restrooms, party/conference rooms and a few animal exhibits, such as this turtle.

Normal hours are 9-5pm CST Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5pm CST Sundays; closed Mondays. You can purchase tickets in advanced online.

 

The trail has been expanded this year to allow for social-distancing. You can also find photo-op statues along the way. There's even one dinosaur that spits water (you will see the large puddle).

 

 

 

Occasionally you can find deer hiding in the trees.

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - The Art of the Pumpkin

The annual pumpkin display opened up at the Dallas Arboretum. This year the theme is "The Art of the Pumpkin" and they have a pumpkin patch area where you can actually purchase pumpkins.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Art of the Pumpkin" ticket option.

Masks are required throughout your visit. By 10am on Sunday, it felt crowded despite the limited guest allowance. Get ready to wait a little bit in lines to take pictures in front of the pumpkin-decorated houses or inside the Cinderella Coach.

The sidewalk heading to the pumpkin displays was lined with pumpkins.

 

 

Some of the pumpkin displays:

 

 

 

Here is the hay maze:

More pumpkin displays. Be sure to bring your own water bottles since the water fountains are not available right now. Since the ground is pokey with wooden mulch bits, you might want to use a towel or blanket for young ones.

 

 

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Zoo Fall Updates

This past weekend my family re-visited the Dallas Zoo to check out the latest updates after their re-opening (following months of Covid closure)

The Dallas Zoo is still requiring time-specific reservations via their website even if you have a Dallas Zoo membership. If you have a reciprocal membership from another zoo, you will need to reach out to the staff to see how to make your reservations as there is no obvious method on their website. Phone number 469.554.7501 or email Info@DallasZoo.com. Be sure to add your parking.

One thing I noticed about this visit was the number of guests was a lot higher than last time; perhaps because it was a warm sunny day. We arrived at opening time 9am and when we left at 11am, the parking lot was already full and staff was directing cars to park on the grassy portion of the hillside.

You are still required to wear a mask (and I highly suggest you keep it on during your entire visit).

The gift shop now allows (a limited number) guests inside although there are several kiosks on the outside (and near the exit).

The carousel and the giraffe feedings were now open ($5 per person). The monorail train that goes around the zoo is closed with no plans to reopen any time soon.

The Herpetarium (Repitle House) was open to guests and a very helpful guide was inside answering questions. Social distancing or other safety measures were not practiced inside this building.

The Cheetah Encounter in ZooNorth has been changed to "Animals in Action" which features other animals and a keeper. Cheetahs have been moved to a nearby enclosure. Other animal presentations can be seen at the Wild Encounters Stage near the monorail area.

The Serengeti Grill offers outdoor seating and the lion viewing areas during our visit were closed off to guests. Kona Ice truck is only available during the week (Monday through Friday). Sweet Treats and Dippin' Dots snack booths are open Saturdays and Sundays.

The newborn lion cubs weren't out for visiting yet. Hopefully next time we go!