Night Lights at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo Botanical Gardens invites guests to this year’s “Night Lights at the Gardens.” Now through February 18^th take a nocturnal stroll through tropic like temperatures and view the many displays in a new light.
Doors open at 6pm Wednesday through Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday the many illuminated exhibits can be viewed until 9pm and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Buffalo Botanical Gardens are located at 2655 South Park Avenue in Buffalo, near South Park and Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
Admission to the event is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for students and seniors, $5.00 for children 3 to 12 and under 3 is free. Tickets can be purchased onsite at the gift shop register in the front lobby. The phone number for The Botanical Gardens is (716) 827-1584.
This year’s event will also feature some special guests to add to the night time garden experience. On Friday February 3^rd, Lazlo Hollyfeld, an all instrumental group will be playing original compositions during the light show. John & Mary, an original folk rock group, will be performing on Friday February 10th. The GAHU Drum Ensemble will wrap things up on February 17^th. Originally from the Chautauqua area, their accomplished traditional percussion style will accent the lighting and soundscapes of the gardens.
The lighting displays are organized by Sitler HQ and Volt Vision. This is the same group who lit up the gardens last year and per the Botanical Gardens website helped to make last year’s event successful.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

Courtesy of Bing Images

Looking for something fun to do, something different? Check out Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Located at 425 Cayuga Drive in Cheektowaga, New York, visitors can bounce their way to fun. This is an indoor trampoline park – there are trampolines even on the walls!

Besides the fun of jumping on the trampolines, there is a dodge ball court (on trampolines), a foam pit, an open jump court and a slam court, which lets fun seekers use the trampolines to slam dunk! There is also a special court for kiddies 5 and under. It is great exercise and helps those younger ones bounce off some of their extra energy.

Regular pricing for Sky Zone is done in 30 minute increments. For 30 minutes of fun the price is $10.00. A 60 minute pass is $14.00, a 90 minute pass is $19.00 and 120 minute pass is $23.00. This includes the sneaker rental required to use the facility.

Walk-ins are welcome but the capacity is limited. Reservations are recommended and can be made for an additional $1.00. Gift cards are available and information on purchasing them can be found on the SkyZone website.  To contact Sky Zone call (716)206-3300. 

Besides “open jumping” Sky Zone hosts birthday parties, taking care of the entertainment and clean up. Sky Zone isn’t just for kids, though. Corporate team building events and SkyRobics fitness classes are popular adult activities at this trampoline park. Definately someplace to check out, especially in the winter months.

The Buffalo Zoo

Courtesy of Bing Images

The third oldest zoo in America, the Buffalo Zoo was established in 1875. Originally, the space was intended to be a deer park on the corner of Delaware Park. As time progressed, people started donating animals to the space and permanent structures began being built to provide the animals with shelter.

300 Parkside Avenue in Buffalo is the address for the Buffalo Zoological Gardens. The telephone number is (716)837-3900. The zoo is open every day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. In January and February the zoo is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It also sits alongside Delaware Park. Delaware Park has golf and basketball. The park is a great place for a picnic or a stroll.

Admission to the Buffalo Zoo is free for those 23 months and younger, children 2-14 are $7.00, students and seniors are $8.00 and adult tickets cost $10.00. Parking is $3.50 in the lot next to the zoo. A token from the cashier needs to be obtained to exit the lot, so mention that you need to pay for parking at the admission gate. Carousel and train rides are $2.00 each.

The “Zootique” is the gift shop at the zoo. In case you forgot something like a sweatshirt or a hat stop by and peruse their wares. Stroller and wagon rental is also available at the Zootique in case the little ones are tired from the walk around the zoological gardens.

Food is available daily at The Beastro. Stop by for lunch or a mid-day snack with treats like popcorn, ice cream, soda and cotton candy. Other items available for purchase are hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries.

Over the years, this facility has changed hands from the City of Buffalo to a zoological preservation society. Since then, the primary focus is preservation and renewal. Improving structures and habitats aren’t the only things happening at the zoo. New exhibits, educational activities, a petting farm and an enclosed tropical rainforest exhibit taking visitors into the depths of the jungle.

While the Buffalo Zoo is a smaller facility, it gives an unmatched intimacy with the animals, getting up close with the many different animals in their enclosures. It makes a day with smaller children more enjoyable because just about everything in the zoo isn’t far away from wherever you are. Bathroom access is conveniently located near the concession stand. A small playground is nearby the eating area and the carousel can be seen from many different angles of the zoo.

An option to consider with the Buffalo Zoological Gardens is a membership. Different packages are available and a great article through the Buffalo Budget Travel Examiner has all the details.

The zoo is a great place to walk and visit, watching the animals, enjoying the stone built walls from older exhibits put together in the 1930’s mixed with fresh new exhibits that bring the gardens into the present.  A day at the Buffalo Zoo is fun for all ages.



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