I haven’t been to the Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas (LBC) in a decade, so I wanted to experience it anew. I found that LBC offers us all an incredibility fun opportunity to dive into the wonder and delight of the season.
â–€ Arrive at opening time at 3pm. This allows you to see both the animals and the lights. Many animals are inside their enclosures by 5pm which are then closed to visitors. At the Arctic Encounter, catch the gray wolves outside all evening (they are a gorgeous snow white in the darkness) and the seals; see the adorable naked mole rats in the Elephant House and the giant stick bugs in the Museum of Science.
â–€ Park in the Anthony Wayne Trail lots for a panoramic view of the zoo while crossing the bridge and the illuminated tree tops as you descend to the entrance. Best photos are taken at or before dusk without the blurring effects caused by the bright contrast with the light display once night falls.
â–€ See the LED lights, they absolutely dazzle— the color clarity and combinations are so crisp and so pure it is truly quite magical (bask in the blue/green lights near the Nairobi Pavilion). My favorite is the old oak, at the Carnivore Cafe, for its simplicity. The tree is adorned with icicle lights that cascade off the branches. Their silvery luminescence highlights exquisitely the glorious natural structure of this tree.
â–€ Nature’s Neighborhood’s outdoor snack patio is the best place to reminisce over a hot coffee or cocoa with friends/family and to soak in the lights. After enjoying the lights on foot, I encourage you to ride the Safari Railway—as it weaves you through the soft darkness, the rhythmic sound of the wheels and the glow of the lights mingle into a peaceful, unhurried way to enjoy the displays (and a few you won’t see when walking).
Please don’t pass up the exhilarating opportunity to seize an exuberantly happy ‘oh-wow’ moment by busting a joyful move with everyone else as the Dancing Lights ripple across a line of trees to synchronized holiday music near Cheetah Valley.
LBC at the Toledo Zoo through Tuesday,
December 31 (closed Nov 28, and Dec 24 & 25) Sun-Thurs 3-8pm and Fri-Sat 3-9pm; toledozoo.org for info and admission fees.
I haven’t been to the Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas (LBC) in a decade, so I wanted to experience it anew. I found that LBC offers us all an incredibility fun opportunity to dive into the wonder and delight of the season.
â–€ Arrive at opening time at 3pm. This allows you to see both the animals and the lights. Many animals are inside their enclosures by 5pm which are then closed to visitors. At the Arctic Encounter, catch the gray wolves outside all evening (they are a gorgeous snow white in the darkness) and the seals; see the adorable naked mole rats in the Elephant House and the giant stick bugs in the Museum of Science.
â–€ Park in the Anthony Wayne Trail lots for a panoramic view of the zoo while crossing the bridge and the illuminated tree tops as you descend to the entrance. Best photos are taken at or before dusk without the blurring effects caused by the bright contrast with the light display once night falls.
â–€ See the LED lights, they absolutely dazzle— the color clarity and combinations are so crisp and so pure it is truly quite magical (bask in the blue/green lights near the Nairobi Pavilion). My favorite is the old oak, at the Carnivore Cafe, for its simplicity. The tree is adorned with icicle lights that cascade off the branches. Their silvery luminescence highlights exquisitely the glorious natural structure of this tree.
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â–€ Nature’s Neighborhood’s outdoor snack patio is the best place to reminisce over a hot coffee or cocoa with friends/family and to soak in the lights. After enjoying the lights on foot, I encourage you to ride the Safari Railway—as it weaves you through the soft darkness, the rhythmic sound of the wheels and the glow of the lights mingle into a peaceful, unhurried way to enjoy the displays (and a few you won’t see when walking).
Please don’t pass up the exhilarating opportunity to seize an exuberantly happy ‘oh-wow’ moment by busting a joyful move with everyone else as the Dancing Lights ripple across a line of trees to synchronized holiday music near Cheetah Valley.
LBC at the Toledo Zoo through Tuesday,
December 31 (closed Nov 28, and Dec 24 & 25) Sun-Thurs 3-8pm and Fri-Sat 3-9pm; toledozoo.org for info and admission fees.
