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We spend a lot of time at local aquariums and zoos but with summer temperatures in Arizona too warm to spend afternoons outside our day trips have to start much earlier. This week summer hours began at the Phoenix Zoo and we took full advantage planning a couple of early morning visits. The idea to start early sounds great but getting my daughters ready and out the door is a totally different story. Summer also means we are staying up late with family movie nights so an early morning alarm is not something everyone in my house is as excited about. Luckily packing snacks is the easy part with Snack Factory® Pretzel Crisps® and Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels. This week our mornings at the zoo were extra special because we walked in right behind cousins not knowing they would be there too. It was a beautiful day to visit in the morning with temperatures climbing to 100° before noon.
Our summer outings are always filled with our own packed snacks because we would much rather share great tasting products made from simple, high quality ingredients than spend on sugary snacks. Snack Factory® Pretzel Crisps® are packaged in a resealable bag so they easily toss right into our zoo bag. We also brought along another favorite, Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels, in our reusable snack bag.
The #SnackSnapShare Sweepstakes is giving away awesome prizes just for sharing photos of your favorite summer snacking moments.
#SnackSnapShare #Sweepstakes (5/30 to 7/25)
(1) Grand prize- $10,000 cash prize for a family vacation of the winner’s choosing. (8) Weekly Winners- One weekly winner will win a year’s worth of snacks so they can continue to share the love all year long. (57) Daily Winners- winners will receive a $50 prepaid Visa gift card to stock up on snacks at their favorite retailer.
My #SnackSnapShare contest photo would definitely be this one! The beautiful Arizona mountains, giraffes, our favorite snack and a great day at the Phoenix Zoo – a perfect summer memory!
My brother and sister-in-law are moving out of state in less than a week so our daughters really enjoyed spending the morning at the zoo with their cousins. It was bittersweet to see them having so much fun together but also a great reminder of the special bond they share.
5 Reasons to Visit Early
Beat the heat.
The very top reason for visiting the zoo early in Arizona during the summer is always beating the heat. Temperatures are easily 100° before noon but you could enjoy a nice couple of hours at 80° if you visit with the early morning hours beginning at 7:00.
Exhibits are not crowded.
The Phoenix Zoo currently has just one exhibit of their newest traveling collection, Dinosaurs in the Desert, coming in October. Every time we have visited, except for this week, there has been a large crowd around the dinosaur. My daughters and their cousins had an up close encounter all by themselves with the dinosaur!
Open seating.
Shaded seating at the zoo is hard to come by unless you visit early. My nephew and youngest daughter took a quick stop for a snack on a shaded bench.
Play areas are empty.
Sometimes visiting large play areas with many visitors feels overwhelming. Children have a hard time waiting to play and I have a hard time making sure I can clearly see my daughters. These cousins had a blast during our early morning zoo visit because they had the playgrounds all to themselves.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll.
My daughter and her cousin are just six weeks apart and the sweetest little friends. My sister-in-law and I really enjoy listening to their cute conversations and watching them discover together. Visiting the zoo with plenty of space to roam gave them the opportunity to enjoy a cute toddler stroll in the shade. This might be the last time in awhile we’ll be walking behind all four cousins holding hands with their big move coming up very soon.
With so many early morning summer zoo visits planned we’ll be snacking better together with a variety of great tasting products made from simple, high quality ingredients.
We purchase our favorite summer snacks from Fry’s, our local Kroger grocer but they are available in various retailers nationwide.
How do you plan to the make the most of your summer mornings?
We used to have a zoo membership when my boys were younger and we would get there as soon as they opened. I Loved blowing through the exhibits before it got crowded.
These photos are amazing! What do you use to capture them? My son’s love taking trips to the zoo, this is at the top of our list for summer activities
The lesser the crowd the more time for them to enjoy everything that the zoo has to offer! Plus the heat is not so unbearable during the morning. I agree with everything that you mentioned!
This is exactly why it’s better to go in the morning! I love gong when there are less people because then, the kids won’t have a difficult time seeing the animals up close.
Aww love reading your post, made me smile. My little Witches love animals, and love going to the zoo.
We always try to go places like the zoo early. Especially here in Florida, it is important to try to beat the heat. Mornings are usually less miserable lol and less crowded as well.
I love pretzel chips!! They are so addictive! Also I agree going early to places like the zoo has so many benefits. Love your pics, haven’t been to the zoo in ages and love seeing the giraffes! The kids look like they are having a blast
I live in a very warm or hot climates. Going to the zoo in the morning hours is the best time to go because that is when the animals are more active .
How sweet! I want to take our little one to the zoo this year. He’s 17 months old and I know he’d love it, I bet the pretzel chips would be delicious to take with us!
I love doing activities in the morning because the places are usually less crowded. I think this is awesome and it’s definitely a better experience for the kids.
I love zoos. They are so awesome! the Singapore zoo is equally fantastic here and I can spend my entire day there.
Looks like you had a great time! My kids love animals and I’m sure they’ll love this kind of adventure too.
We love to do things early or later on when crowds are at a minimum! We haven’t gone to the zoo in forever sadly!
Zoos are one of my favourite things to do in the summer as you see so much more at that time of the year, sadly due to work I can only go at the weekend and then it’s always busy x
It is great to go to the zoo with little kids because they love animals. Early starts is a great way to do the zoo before the crowds start. I have got to try those snacks they look so good.
I love me some pretzels. Now I want some. I am going to have to go to the store and get me some now!
I totally agree, it’s way better to get there early. And you picked some of my favorite snacks!
it’s awesome that they do early summer hours, definitely makes the most of the daylight and lets be honest the kids are up anyway
I always prefer to go earlier. It seems like my kids are about done with outings by 2pm regardless of when we arrive, so to get there early means we have so much more time to see what we want! And we love the Snyder’s pretzels – a must have snack in my home!
I usually keep my zoo membership to the Houston zoo and I agree mornings are much better. Plus here the parking situation isn’t the best so if you go early you have a better chance of finding a parking spot!
I find that the animals are more active in the mornings because it’s not as hot and you really get to see them at their prime. It’s a lot of fun and the zoo isn’t crowded. It’s just you and them. It’s so nice.
The morning are great times to visit the zoo! Sometimes you can get to see them being fed even. My kids love getting to go to the zoo and the cooler it is the happier and more fun the day is!
What amazing summer memories. We love those little bags of pretzels. Always on hand in the car when we travel!
Great tips and they could apply to anywhere really! Theme parks tend to be the same. If you go for opening it’s way less crowded.
I love going anywhere with kids early!!! Especially the zoo. Beat the crowed and the heat. Can’t beat it
My family and I always looking forward to visiting the zoo at least once a year! Visiting in the morning is the best time to visit, especially if you want to avoid crowds and the unbearable heat that summer brings.
We love going to the zoo! My kids are obsessed with the animals and we could probably spend the entire day there! I can’t wait to take them this summer!
this looks like such a fun adventure! I absolutely love the zoo, it’s always such a treat when I go. I will have to try an early morning with it!
Much love,
Ashley | dearash.com
We love the zoo and usually go early. However, I actually think for us going later is better so it’s less busy.
We always try to go to attractions like this early. My son hates crowds, so it’s easier to go before everyone else gets there so he can enjoy looking round in relative peace 🙂
Louise x
I only do Zoo time in the morning! It’s less crowded and it’s not so blazing hot outside!