Christmastime Traditions: ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo

One of our family's most favorite Christmastime traditions is to start the season of with a visit to ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. A few weekends ago, we had the opportunity to attend one of their media nights.

The night we went was very wet and very cold (exacerbated by the rain), but we still had fun. The first thing we did was ride the train. The kids love any kind of train, and it's a nice overview of most the lights.

This year, they've started offering these great ZooLights hot cocoa cups.

$5.95 filled with hot cocoa, and only $1 for refills after that! With the winter we've been having so far, you can bet we made good use of those cups, and they are now our official hot cocoa cups at home, too.

And the carousel. So you remember the carousel display in "Africa"? Now, there is a real carousel you can actually ride. E was terrified the entire ride, but still claims she loved it.

With the rain and the wind and the chilly temps, we opted not to stay as long as we normally do. We still walked around and saw all the lights, but there was no lingering the way we have in the past. I recommend checking it out. You have through the first of the new year. And definitely bundle up and prepare for rain (it is Oregon, after all)!

For more information:  oregonzoo.org/visit/zoolights