Halloween happenings part 2: Go 'Boo at the Zoo'

'Halloween Family' photo by Petr Kratochvil

This time of year, zoos nationwide open their gates to children and families for extra doses of fun and entertainment, along with the opportunity to see animals great and small.

Many zoos have activities that range from costume contests to pumpkin carving and crafts, and even hayrides or mazes.

Most have trick-or-treating on the premises and some zoos offer a haunted house, discounted admission and even live musical entertainment.

The following is a list of this year's top picks around the country for “Boo at the Zoo” or as some call it, “Zoo Boo” and even "Zoo Howl." Just click on the zoo’s link for further information.

You and your child will have a frightening good time.

Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia

Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, Binghamton, New York

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois

Detroit Zoo, Detroit, Michigan

Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, Massachusetts (Scroll down page for "Zoo Howl" information)

Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas

Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, Tennessee

Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, Minnesota

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, Los Angeles, California

National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Potter Park Zoo, Lansing, Michigan

Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, California

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri  (See video below of last year's festivities.)

Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara, California (Scroll down for "Boo at the Zoo" information)

Stone Zoo, Stoneham, Massachusetts


For more fun Halloween entertainment ideas you may want to see:
Halloween happenings part 1: Pumpkin picking