Caldwell Zoo

One of my all-time favorite places in Tyler is the Caldwell Zoo. As a biology major, this only comes naturally, of course. But of all the zoos I've been to, including the San Diego Zoo, the Caldwell Zoo has a special place in my heart. Even though it boasts 85 acres, it still has that familiar small-town charm.

Founded in the 1950's by David King Caldwell, the Caldwell Zoo now features a variety of exhibits, with animals from many different habitats -- mainly the African Savanna, North America, and South America. It is home to some threatened and endangered species, and their conservation and education efforts are admirable. You can even donate your old cell phone at the zoo entrance to help fund the conservation efforts of the International Rhino Foundation.

Eyeballing my boyfriend like he was a tasty morsel.

The Caldwell Zoo is not your "typical zoo," with melancholy-looking animals and drab exhibits. It's a colorful, lively place with beautiful landscaping and habitats. It also has a petting zoo and a few interactive exhibits for kids (or, in our case, kiddish adults). It's not a small zoo, but it almost feels like it -- the animals feel close and when walking from habitat to habitat, one is immersed in a wilder world.

The Wild Bird Walkabout exhibit. You can buy seed sticks for $1.00, and trust me, those little guys love their seed sticks.

I highly recommend the Wild Bird Walkabout exhibit. Buy a seed stick, you'll trade that buck for an experience and a few guaranteed laughs. Actually, while we were in the midst of over 600 birds, a wild hawk landed on the fence just outside the aviary. As you can imagine, this ruffled quite a few feathers (pun intended), and as the "head cockatoo" sounded the alarm, all 600 parakeets and cockatiels took wing.

Just as they started to fly. Chaos ensued. It was awesome.

The Caldwell Zoo offers day camps and classes for kids of all ages, and it's a perfect summer day trip for anyone, though they are open all year. Admission is fairly inexpensive, and it's a great date alternative to seeing a movie (it's actually cheaper, too)!

If you live in East Texas and you haven't been to the Caldwell Zoo yet, or if you haven't been in a long time, go! Rediscover it and simple pleasures.

Caldwell Zoo

2203 Martin Luther King Blvd. Tyler, TX 75702
(903) 593-0121