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!
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!
Travel - US - States - Viking Festivals
My family loves to attend culturally-based festivals and next year I plan to check out these Viking-themed festivals. Like Scottish or Irish festivals, we anticipate finding people dressed in Viking attire, adult beverages, Scandinavian or Swedish foods, and family-friendly activities. Most of the 2020 events have been/were cancelled due to Covid, but 2021 looks promising so start planning now. Please check the festival for specific dates, as dates may change without notice.
| State: | City - Festival: | Website: | Dates or Cancelled? |
| California | Vista - Viking Festival | https://vistavikingfestival.com/ | September |
| Colorado | Breckenridge - Ullr Fest | https://gobreck.com/event/ullr-fest-2/ | December 9 - 19, 2020 |
| Maryland | Laplata - Vikings Con | https://vikingscon.com/ | November 7-8, 2020 |
| Minnesota | Moorehead - Scandinavian Hjemkomst and Midwest Viking Festival | https://www.hcscconline.org/shmvf2019.html | June |
| New York | Greenwich - The Great Northern Thyng | https://glennlinn.eastkingdom.org/tgnt1.htm | July |
| North Dakota | Minot - Norsk Hostfest | https://hostfest.com/ | September 30th - October 2nd, 2021 |
| Ohio | Burton - Ohio Viking Festival | https://vikingfestohio.com/ | June 25-27th, 2021 |
| Oklahoma | Heavener - Runestone Festival | https://www.runestonefest.org/ | October |
| Texas | Paige - Texas Viking Festival | http://www.texasvikingfestival.com | December 14-15 and 21-22, 2020 |
| Virginia | Manassas - Viking Fest | https://www.facebook.com/manassasvikingfest/about | May 8, 2021 |
Travel - US - States - Scottish Festivals and Highland Games
My family loves to attend culturally-based festivals and some of our favorites are the Scottish festivals. You can usually find people dressed in kilts and clan tartans plus bagpipes, dancing, adult beverages, food, and family-friendly activities. Most of the 2020 events have been/were cancelled due to Covid, but 2021 looks promising so start planning now. Please check the festival for specific dates, as dates may change without notice.
| State: | City - Festival: | Website: | Dates or Cancelled? |
| Alabama | Dothan - Southeast Alabama Highland Games | https://wiregrasshighlandgames.com/ | September |
| Alaska | Palmer - Alaska Scottish Highland Games | https://alaskanscottish.org/ | June |
| Arizona | Flagstaff - Arizona Highland Celtic Festival | http://www.nachs.info/festival.shtml | July |
| Arizona | Phoenix - Scottish Games | http://phoenixscottishgames.com/ | March |
| Arizona | Tucson - Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games | http://www.tucsoncelticfestival.org/ | November |
| California | Dixon - Highland Games | http://www.scotsindixon.org/ | TBD |
| California | Fremont - Tartan Day | http://www.eastbayscots.org/ | April |
| California | Monterey - Scottish Games and Celtic Festival | http://www.montereyscotgames.com/ | August |
| California | Pleasonton - Scottish Highland Gathering and Game | https://thescottishgames.com/ | July |
| California | San Diego - SD Highland Games | https://sdhighlandgames.org/ | June |
| California | Sonora - Celtic Faire | http://calaverascelticfaire.com/ | March |
| California | Ventura - Seaside Highland Games | https://www.seasidehighlandgames.org/ | October |
| California | Woodland - Celtic Games | https://woodlandcelticgames.org/ | January |
| Colorado | Colorado Springs - Pikes Peak Celtic Festival | https://pikespeakcelticfestival.com/ | June |
| Colorado | Cortez - Celtic Fair | https://cortezcelticfair.com/ | June |
| Colorado | Durango - Celtic Festival | www.durangocelticfestival.com | March |
| Colorado | Edgewater - Scottish Games | http://www.scottishgames.org/ | August |
| Colorado | Elizabeth - Celtic Festival | https://www.elizabethcelticfest.org/ | July |
| Colorado | Longmont - Tartan Day | http://www.coloradotartanday.com/ | April |
| Florida | Green Cove Springs - Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games | https://www.neflgames.com/ | February |
| Florida | Dunedin - Highland Games and Festival | http://dunedinhighlandgames.com/ | November 21 – 22, 2020 |
| Florida | Ormond Beach - Celtic Festival | http://ormondbeachcelticfestival.com/ | TBD |
| Florida | Plantation - South East Florida Highland Games | https://sassf.org/events/festivalfestival.html | March |
| Florida | Sarasota - Highland Games | https://www.sarasotahighlandgames.com/ | February |
| Florida | St Augustine - Celtic Music and Heritage Festival | http://www.celticstaugustine.com/ | March |
| Florida | Winter Springs - Central Florida Scottish Highland Gamees | http://www.flascot.com/ | TBD |
| Georgia | Balirsville - Scottish Festival | https://blairsvillescottishfestival.com/ | June |
| Georgia | Savannah - Scottish Games | https://www.savannahscottishgames.com/ | May |
| Georgia | Stone Mountain - Highland Games and Scottish Festival | http://www.smhg.org/ | October |
| Indiana | Columbus - Scottish Festival | http://scottishfestival.org/ | September |
| Indiana | Indianapolis - Scottish Highland Games and Festival | https://indyscotgamesandfest.com/ | October |
| Iowa | Davenport - Celtic Highland Games of the Quad Cities | http://celtichighlandgames.org/ | September |
| Illinois | Hamilton Lakes - Scottish Festival and Highland Games | https://www.chicagoscots.org/ | August |
| Kansas | Wichita - Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival | https://www.greatplainsrenfest.com/ | April |
| Kentucky | Glasgow - Highland Games | https://www.glasgowhighlandgames.com/ | June |
| Louisiana | Lafayette - Celtic Bayou Festival | http://www.celticbayoufest.com/ | March |
| Louisiana | Minden - Scottish Tartan Festival | https://scottishsociety.wixsite.com/tartan-festival | April |
| Maine | Belfast - Main Celtic Celebration | http://www.mainecelticcelebration.com/ | July |
| Maryland | Elkton - Fair Hill Scottish Games | http://fairhillscottishgames.org/ | May |
| Maryland | Prince Frederick - Southern Maryland Celtic Festival | https://www.cssm.org/events/festival/ | April |
| Maryland | Friendsville - Garrett County Celtic Festival | http://gccelticfestival.com/ | June |
| Massachusettes | Florence - Glasglow Lands Scottish Festival | https://www.glasgowlands.org/ | July |
| Michigan | Alma - Highland Festival | http://www.almahighlandfestival.com/ | May |
| Michigan | Detroit - Saint Andrew's Society of Detroit - Highland Games | https://highlandgames.com/ | August |
| Michigan | Saline - Celtic Festival | https://www.salineceltic.org/ | July |
| Michigan | Sparta - Celtic Festival | https://www.spartacelticfest.org/ | August |
| Mississppi | Jackson - CelticFest | celticfestms.org/wp/ | March |
| Mississippi | Gulfport - Celtic Music Festival and Scottish Highland Games | https://www.mshighlandsandislands.org/ | November |
| Minnesota | Eagan - Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games | http://www.mnscottishfair.org/ | July |
| Montana | Hamilton - Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering | http://www.bcgg.org/ | August |
| Nevada | Reno - Northern Nevada Celtic Celebration | http://www.renoceltic.org/ | May |
| Nevada | Las Vegas - Highland Games | http://www.lasvegascelticsociety.org/ | April |
| New Hampshire | Lincoln - New Hampshire Highland Games | https://nhscot.org/ | September |
| New Jersey | Bordentown - Kilt Fest NJ | https://www.kiltfestusa.com/ | October |
| New Mexico | Aztec - Highland Games and Celtic Festival | https://www.aztechighlandgames.com/ | October |
| New York | Fort Ticonderoga - Scots Day | https://www.fortticonderoga.org/ | June |
| New York | Lockport - Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival and Highland Games | http://www.niagaraceltic.com/ | September |
| New York | Syracuse - Central New York Scottish Games | https://cnyscottishgames.org/ | August |
| New York | Long Island - Scottish Festival and Games | http://www.liscots.org/festival_and_games.htm | August |
| New York | Shortsville - Finger Lakes Celtic Festival | http://www.flceltic.org/ | May |
| North Carolina | Linville - Grandfather Mountain Highland Games | http://www.gmhg.org/ | July |
| North Carolina | Laurinburg - Scotland County Highway Games | http://www.carolina-highlandgames.com/ | October |
| North Carolina | Huntersville - Loch Norman Highland Games | http://lochnorman.com/ | April |
| Ohio | Wellington - Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival | https://www.ohioscottishgames.com/ | June |
| Oklahoma | Edmund - United Scot Clans Oklahoma Scottish Heritage Festival | https://unitedscotsok.com/ | Postponed to October for 2020 |
| Oklahoma | Tulsa - OK Scot Fest | https://okscotfest.com/ | September |
| Oregon | Albany - Scottish Festival and Highland Games | https://www.facebook.com/events/timber-linn-park/albany-scottish-festival-highland-games/3688575747827011/ | May |
| Oregon | Eugene - Scottish Festival | http://www.eugenescottishfestival.com/index.html | May |
| Pennsylvania | Ligonier - Highland Games | http://www.ligonierhighlandgames.org/ | September |
| Pennsylvania | Quarreyville - Covenanter Scottish Festival and Highland Games | https://www.covenanterscottishfestival.com/ | September |
| Pennsylvania | Bethlehem - Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival | https://www.celticfest.org/ | September |
| Pennsylvania | Mannheim - PA Renaissance Faire | http://www.parenfaire.com/ | September |
| Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg - Shawnee Celtic Festival | https://www.shawneemt.com/events/cancelled-shawnee-celtic-festival | September |
| South Carolina | Greenville - Scottish Games | www.gallabrae.com | May |
| South Carolina | Cayce - Tartan Day South | https://tartandaysouth.com/ | April |
| South Dakota | Aberdeen - Celtic Fair and Games | https://nesdcelticfaire.com/ | September |
| Tennessee | Maryville - Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games | http://smokymountaingames.org/about/ | May |
| Tennessee | Brownsville - West Tennessee Annual Celtic Fest | http://www.celticsocietyofwtn.org/cswtpg4.html | October |
| Texas | Midland - West Texas Celtic Fair | https://westtexascelticfair.com/ | March |
| Texas | Helotes - The San Antonio Highland Games | https://www.sahga.org/ | April |
| Texas | Houston - Houston Highland Games and Celtic Festival | https://houstonhighlandgames.com/ | TBD |
| Texas | Decatur - Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games | https://www.texasscots.com/ | April |
| Texas | Salado - Scottish Gathering and Highland Games | https://saladomuseum.org/scottish-gathering-and-highland-games/ | November |
| Texas | Sherman - Scottish Festival and Highland Games | https://www.shermancelticfest.com/ | March |
| Texas | Ingram - Kerr County Celtic Festival | http://www.kerrcountyceltic.com/ | October |
| Utah | Highland - Highland Fling | https://www.highlandcity.org/169/Highland-Fling | July |
| Utah | Moab - Scots on the Rocks Celtic Fest | https://www.scotsontherocksmoab.org/ | November |
| Utah | Payson - Scottish Festival | http://www.paysonscottishfestival.org/ | July |
| Utah | Salt Lake City - Utah Scottish Festival | http://utahscots.org/ | June |
| Utah | St George - Red Stone Highland Games | https://www.redstonehighlandgames.com/ | October |
| Virginia | Radford - Radford Highlanders Festival | https://www.radford.edu/content/festival/home.html | October |
| Virginia | Richmond - Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland Games | http://vacelticfestival.com/ | October |
| Washington | Prosser - Scottish Fest and Highland Games | https://www.prosserscottishfest.org/ | June |
| Washington | Seattle - Scottish Highland Games | http://www.sshga.org/ | TBD |
| Washington | Tacoma - Highland Games | https://www.tacomagames.org/ | July |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee - Highland Games | http://milwaukeehighlandgames.org/ | June |
| West Virginia | Parkersburg - Scottish and Celtic Heritage Festival | https://sites.google.com/site/scottishcelticheritagefestival/ | April |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne - Celtic Festival | https://www.facebook.com/CelticFestival/ | June |
| Wyoming | Evanston - Celtic Festival | http://theartsinc.com/celtic-festival | March |
Travel - US - States - Irish Festivals
My family loves to attend culturally-based festivals and some of our favorites are the Irish festivals. You can usually find people dressed in Irish-style attire or in St Patrick's Day costumes plus music, dancing, adult beverages, food, and family-friendly activities. Most of the 2020 events have been/were cancelled due to Covid, but 2021 looks promising so start planning now. Please check the festival for specific dates, as dates may change without notice.
| State: | City - Festival: | Website: | Dates: |
| Arizona | Fountain Hills - Fountain Hills St Patrick's Day Celebration | https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/p/events/irishfest | March |
| Arizona | Phoenix - Phoenix St Patrick's Day Irish Faire | https://stpatricksdayphoenix.org/ | March |
| Arizona | Sedona - Sedona St Patrick's Day | https://www.sedona.net/st-patricks-day | March |
| Arizona | Tuscon - St Patrick's Day Parade | https://www.tucsonstpatricksday.com/ | March 14, 2021 |
| California | Irvine - The Irish Fair | https://www.theirishfair.org/ | TBD |
| California | San Diego - San Diego St Patrick's Day Festival | http://www.stpatsparade.org/ | March |
| California | San Francisco - Crossroads: Irish American Festival | http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/ | March |
| Connecticut | North Haven - Connecticut Irish Festival | https://ctirishfestival.com/ | October 17-18, 2020 |
| Florida | Cape Choral - Cape Choral Irish Festival | http://capecoralirishfest.com/ | March |
| Florida | Jacksonville - Jacksonville Irish Festival | https://www.visitjacksonville.com/events/holidays/st-patricks-day/ | March |
| Florida | Miami - South Florida Emerald Society St Patrick Festival | https://emeraldsocietysfl.com/ | mid-March |
| Florida | West Palm Beach - Irish Fest (March) | https://downtownwpb.com/things-to-do/st-patricks-day/ | March |
| Georgia | Savannah - Savannah Irish Festival | https://www.savannahirish.org/ | February |
| Illinois | Carbondale - Southern Illinois Irish Festival | http://www.iluvlocalplaces.com/stories-directory/177-southern-illinois-irish-festival | October 5-6, 2020 |
| Illinois | Chicago - Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Festival | https://chicagogaelicparkirishfest.org/ | May |
| Illinois | Manhattan - Manhattan Irish Festival | http://www.manhattanirishfest.com/ | March |
| Illinois | Peoria - St Patrick's of Peoria | https://stpatpeoria.com/events/ | March |
| Kentucky | Louisville - St Patrick's Day Parade | https://www.louisvilleirish.com/annual-events/st-patricks-parade/ | March |
| Maryland | Corwnsville - Annapolis Irish Festival | https://www.annapolisirishfestival.com/ | July |
| Massachusettes | Boston - Boston Celtic Music Festival | https://www.passim.org/live-music/events/boston-celtic-music-festival/ | January |
| Michigan | Clare - Clare Irish Fest | https://www.claremichigan.com/irish-festival/ | March |
| Minnesota | St Paul - Young Irish Musicians Weekend | http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/events/mim/ | June |
| Minnesota | St Paul - Irish Fair | https://irishfair.com/ | August |
| Minnesota | St Paul - St Patrick's Day Celebration | http://www.irishmusicanddanceassociation.org/stpatricksday.html | March |
| Missouri | Weston - Weston Irish Fest | https://westonirish.com/weston-irish-festival/ | TBD |
| Montana | Libby - Libby Irish Fair | http://www.libbychamber.org/event/libby-irish-fair-2/ | March |
| Nebraska | Greeley - Irish Fest | https://greeleyirishfestival.com/ | September |
| New Jersey | Smithville - Smithville Irish Fest | https://www.smithvilleirishfestivalnj.org/ | October |
| New York | Brooklyn - Great Irish Festival of NY | https://www.iabsny.com/events/gifny | TBD |
| New York | East Durham - East Durham Irish Festival | https://eastdurhamirishfestival.com/ | May |
| Ohio | Cuyahoga Falls - Riverfront Irish Festival | www.riverfrontirishfest.org | June |
| Ohio | Toledo - Toledo St Patricks Day Festival | https://www.visittoledo.org/events/st-patricks-day-celebration/ | March |
| Pennsylvania | York County - Penn-Mar Irish Festival | https://pennmaririshfestival.com/ | June |
| Texas | Austin - Austin Celtic Fest | https://www.austincelticfestival.com/ | November |
| Texas | Dallas - North Texas Irish Festival | https://www.ntif.org/ | March |
| Texas | Tyler - Tyler Celtic Fest | https://www.facebook.com/tylercelticfest/ | May |
| Virginia | Alexandria - Ballyshaners St Patrick's Day Parade | https://www.ballyshaners.org/ | March |
| Virginia | Churchill - The Irish Festival | http://www.churchhillirishfestival.com/ | March |
| Wisconsin | Lacrosse - Irish Fest | https://www.irishfestlacrosse.org/ | August |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee - Irish Fest | https://irishfest.com/Milwaukee-Irish-Fest | August |
Travel - US - States - Which State Fairs are Cancelled due to Covid
Many state fairs around the United States have been cancelled this year thanks to Covid. Some have been modified, virtualized or delayed. Here, I put together a list of all the state fairs by state (for some states which host multiple fairs I selected just one) and whether it's been cancelled or not for 2020:
| State: | Website: | Upcoming Dates or Cancelled: |
| Alabama | https://alnationalfair.org/ | Oct 9 - Oct 18, 2020 |
| Alaska | https://www.alaskastatefair.org/site/ | N/A |
| Arizona | https://azstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Arkansas | https://www.arkansasstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| California | https://calexpostatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Colorado | https://www.coloradostatefair.com/ | Aug 28 - Sep 7, 2020 |
| Connecticut | https://www.durhamfair.com/index | Cancelled |
| Delaware | https://delawarestatefair.com/ | N/A |
| Florida | https://floridastatefair.com/ | Feb 11 - Feb 22, 2021 |
| Georgia | https://www.georgiastatefair.org/ | Oct 2- Oct 11, 2020 |
| Hawaii | http://ekfernandezshows.com/events/206 | N/A |
| Idaho | https://www.idahofair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Illinois | https://www2.illinois.gov/statefair/Pages/default.aspx | Cancelled |
| Indiana | https://www.indianastatefair.com | Cancelled |
| Iowa | https://www.iowastatefair.org/ | Cancelled |
| Kansas | https://www.kansasstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Kentucky | https://kystatefair.org/ | Aug 19 - Aug 29, 2021 |
| Louisiana | https://www.statefairoflouisiana.com/ | Oct 29 - Nov 8, 2020 |
| Maine | https://www.bangorstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Maryland | http://www.marylandstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Massachusettes | https://www.thebige.com/default.aspx | Cancelled |
| Michigan | https://www.michiganstatefairllc.com/ | Virtual - Sep 3 - Sep 7, 2020 |
| Minnesota | https://www.mnstatefair.org/ | Cancelled |
| Mississippi | https://www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/state-fairgrounds/fair/ | Oct 7 - Oct 18, 2020 |
| Missouri | https://www.mostatefair.com/ | N/A |
| Montana | http://www.goexpopark.com/montana-state-fair/ | N/A |
| Nebraska | https://www.statefair.org/ | Aug 28 - Sep 7, 2020 |
| Nevada | http://www.nevadastatefair.org/ | N/A |
| New Hampshire | https://www.hsfair.org/ | Cancelled |
| New Jersey | http://njfair.com/ | Cancelled |
| New Mexico | https://statefair.exponm.com/ | Virtual - Sep 14 - Sep 20, 2020 |
| New York | https://nysfair.ny.gov/ | Cancelled |
| North Carolina | https://www.ncstatefair.org/ | Cancelled |
| North Dakota | https://ndstatefair.com/ | Cancelled |
| Ohio | https://ohiostatefair.com/ | Virtual |
| Oklahoma | https://okstatefair.com/ | N/A |
| Oregon | https://oregonstatefair.org/ | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | N/A | N/A |
| Rhode Island | https://washingtoncountyfair-ri.com/ | N/A |
| South Carolina | https://www.scstatefair.org/ | Modified - Oct 20 - Oct 21, 2020 |
| South Dakota | https://www.sdstatefair.com/ | Sep 3 - Sep 7, 2020 |
| Tennessee | https://tnstatefair.org/ | Cancelled |
| Texas | https://www.bigtex.com | Cancelled |
| Utah | https://www.utahstatefair.com/ | Sep 10 - Sep 20, 2020 |
| Vermont | http://www.vermontstatefair.org/ | Cancelled |
| Virginia | https://www.statefairva.org/p/attractions/rides | Cancelled |
| Washington | https://www.thefair.com/ | N/A |
| West Virginia | http://statefairofwv.com/fair/ | Cancelled |
| Wisconsin | https://wistatefair.com/fair/ | Cancelled |
| Wyoming | https://wystatefair.com/ | N/A |
Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Zoo Reopening
This past weekend I visited the re-opened Dallas Zoo and I want to share my experience with you.
First, you will need to pre-purchase (or pre-reserve if you are a member) your tickets and parking online. When I visited on Sunday at 9am, they were sold out. Parking attendants will direct you where to park. Only handicapped-allowed cars or President Circle members may park near the entrance. You can print or show your phone to the attendant at the entrance gate.
Although the zoo is only allowing 25% capacity at this time, it is still a lot of people/families. Masks were only required for the restrooms.
After you enter, there is a giant map for you to take a picture of with your cellphone. Or you can use the zoo app. No paper maps will be distributed at this time.
There is also a board listing the feeding/zoo keeper times if you wanted to see/hear their show. All zookeepers wore masks.
All the buildings (gift shop, restaurant) and activities (carousel, monorail, Children's Zoo) are closed. They did have carts outside the gift shop selling items and I did see a snack cart near the Savannah selling items. All water fountains were closed so be sure to bring your own water. Picnic areas were open if you choose to bring your own food. Restrooms were open throughout.
Like the Arboretum, you will be following a marked one-way path through the zoo starting past the flamingos and then towards the right. There are safety reminder signs throughout the park as well.
This trail will lead you past several monkeys, tigers, otters, past the dinosaurs (even though most of those are now gone and the train ride is closed) and finally to the cheetah. If you arrive on time you can enjoy the cheetah encounter. They have marked the ground where you/your family can stand to watch.
If you've never been to this zoo and you plan to go in the next 3 months, bring a hat and lots of water. Despite all the trees, it gets hot. I also recommend clip-on stroller fans.
The baby hippo was swimming in the lagoon with its mom. The building is closed but the glass viewing area and the overlook were both open.
The baby giraffe (just born early May) was also out wandering the enclosure.
Some of the animals have been re-arranged such as the cheetahs who are now in the baboon's enclosure.
The viewing area for the gorillas has changed a little bit due to the small space - you will need to line up before you can enter to view and wait your turn. They are only allowing a limited amount of people in the viewing area. You can also view the gorilla habitat from the wooden deck just past this cave (the building is closed).
Overall, our visit took about 2 hours and we were able to see most of the animals and several zoo keeper talks.
First, you will need to pre-purchase (or pre-reserve if you are a member) your tickets and parking online. When I visited on Sunday at 9am, they were sold out. Parking attendants will direct you where to park. Only handicapped-allowed cars or President Circle members may park near the entrance. You can print or show your phone to the attendant at the entrance gate.
Although the zoo is only allowing 25% capacity at this time, it is still a lot of people/families. Masks were only required for the restrooms.
After you enter, there is a giant map for you to take a picture of with your cellphone. Or you can use the zoo app. No paper maps will be distributed at this time.
There is also a board listing the feeding/zoo keeper times if you wanted to see/hear their show. All zookeepers wore masks.
All the buildings (gift shop, restaurant) and activities (carousel, monorail, Children's Zoo) are closed. They did have carts outside the gift shop selling items and I did see a snack cart near the Savannah selling items. All water fountains were closed so be sure to bring your own water. Picnic areas were open if you choose to bring your own food. Restrooms were open throughout.
Like the Arboretum, you will be following a marked one-way path through the zoo starting past the flamingos and then towards the right. There are safety reminder signs throughout the park as well.
This trail will lead you past several monkeys, tigers, otters, past the dinosaurs (even though most of those are now gone and the train ride is closed) and finally to the cheetah. If you arrive on time you can enjoy the cheetah encounter. They have marked the ground where you/your family can stand to watch.
If you've never been to this zoo and you plan to go in the next 3 months, bring a hat and lots of water. Despite all the trees, it gets hot. I also recommend clip-on stroller fans.
The baby hippo was swimming in the lagoon with its mom. The building is closed but the glass viewing area and the overlook were both open.
The baby giraffe (just born early May) was also out wandering the enclosure.
Some of the animals have been re-arranged such as the cheetahs who are now in the baboon's enclosure.
The viewing area for the gorillas has changed a little bit due to the small space - you will need to line up before you can enter to view and wait your turn. They are only allowing a limited amount of people in the viewing area. You can also view the gorilla habitat from the wooden deck just past this cave (the building is closed).
Overall, our visit took about 2 hours and we were able to see most of the animals and several zoo keeper talks.
Labels:
2020,
Activities,
Animals,
Dallas,
Entertainment,
Family,
FamilyFun,
May,
Texas,
Zoo
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