Visit to Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City

Look no further than the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City , Indiana
for family fun in the Northwestern Indiana area.

We are into the middle of Summer and looking for fun stuff to do! I can’t believe that Washington Park Zoo is not one that we’ve visited before. Located in Michigan City, Indiana this zoo is small enough to get through quickly but unique enough to want to go back again and again.

Winding walkways go up and up but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t easily accessible with strollers or wheelchairs. Lots of different paths to take so that one way you can look into the bear exhibit then go another way and you are up behind it looking down. This gives a great 2nd chance to see animals that may have been in a spot that wasn’t visible before. After seeing the animals and riding the train the little petting area toward the end was not to be missed.

There are three things that I’ve never seen before that made this trip one of my families favorites.

Otter Tunnel

I wish that I got a better picture of Ace in this but there were so many kids going through it that I just got this one. It was a busy place! Ace had to go back 4 separate times because he loved it so much. While the kids go in the tunnel the otters can swim over them or even sit on top of the tube. It was so cute and all the kids were enjoying it very much.

Observation Tower

Take a little walk off the beaten path to the observation tower. Small balconies are on each level as you walk out to give a full 360 degree view from the tower.

After the trek up many, many, many steps the payoff was a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan. The open windows were very well guarded. Even the most height weary person would feel comfortable enough going up to enjoy the scenery.

Feed the Birds at the Aviary

By far my boys favorite at the zoo. Once you walk into an enclosed area there is an option to buy a stick with bird seed on it for $1. Be careful since Ace thought this was for him and promptly put it in his mouth! Lol. The employee selling the sticks assured me that it happens multiple times a day. After that it’s time to feed the birds. It was a popular spot too but big enough that everyone had lots of chances to feed any bird they liked if they were on the ladders, bird houses or even on the ground. They also got lots of chances to hold the birds on their sticks.

This zoo was about an hour from our location in Southwestern Michigan and well worth the trip. We completed the whole zoo in about 2 hours and had enough time to visit Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets for a little shopping and lunch downtown. If you live the SW Michigan/NW Indiana area I recommend putting this on your families Summer list.