Buttonwood Park Zoo - New Bedford, MA

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is a perfect little zoo for babies and toddlers (maybe older but our oldest child is almost three, so that's all we can vouch for). The zoo is only 20 minutes away from our house, so we paid for a family membership that is $65 (family plus one adults guest), and we have more than got our money back.  Our son LOVES some of the evening events that we get at a discount because we are members, like Boo at the Zoo.  Some day we will go to the annual gala, but we haven't yet.

The elephants are really the big attraction, but there is a new cougar cub that my son can't wait to meet!

If the kids have any energy left after walking around the zoo, we go to the playground that is in the regular park outside the zoo.  There is a HUGE jungle gym on that rubber flooring type stuff, which makes wipe-outs SO much easier.  There are a few musical toys and of course swings and slides.

Also, outside of the zoo is a pond.  If you bring some stale bread or something, you can feed the geese and they coming charging at you.  Yes they do bite, so watch out.  We have not been brave enough to bring the kids actually out of the car to challenge the geese yet, but some day when the kids are taller than the geese, we will.

Parking is always easy.  We bring our own food (Uncrustables and Fruitables usually), but they have an inexpensive hotdog/french fry type setup that is easy and quick.  There are usually plenty of tables to sit and eat inside, but it's more fun to use the open area in front of the elephants for a picnic.

Ticket Prices:

• Adults: $6
• Seniors & Teens: $4.50
• Child 3-12: $3.00
• Children under 3: Free
• Parking: Free

Membership benefits include:

• Free Zoo Admission for one year
• 10% Discount at North Woods Gift Store
• Discounted Rates on Zoo Birthday Parties and select Zoo Programs & Events
• Invitations to Members-Only Events
• Special online notices of Zoo Programs & Events
• Reciprocal Benefits at more than 140 Zoos & Aquariums across the United States