Summer fun, the new normal way, continues to unfold this week with the reopening of some of the area’s top attractions.
Dallas Zoo
Reopened on May 29 with safety modifications that include advance purchase of timed tickets and parking. Tickets are available up to one week prior to your visit. In accordance with city of Dallas guidelines, protective face coverings will be required for any visitor age 3 or older.
Indoor areas, except for restrooms, will be closed, and some walkways will become one-way. The carousel, mini train and monorail will not be in operation. Snack bars, walk-up food stalls and the craft beer garden will be open, and hand-sanitizing stations will be scattered throughout the park.
A seniors-only time slot will be available for visitors 65 and older on Tuesdays from 8 to 10 a.m. starting June 2.
During your visit, look out for some of the zoo’s new animals including a giraffe calf named Kendi, born May 2. Kendi and mom Katie can sometimes be seen in the feed yard or on the north side of the Giants of the Savanna habitat.
Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $17 for adults, $14 for ages 3-11 and 65 and older, free for ages 2 and younger. Parking is $10. dallaszoo.com.
Fort Worth Zoo
May 29 was also opening day for the Fort Worth Zoo, and it too will have new measures in place. To help control the flow of people in the park, patrons must make a reservation online before visiting. Ticket purchases can be made online up to 72 hours in advance. Customers can print their reservations or have them scanned on mobile devices. Early or late arrivals will not be allowed.
The zoo is also taking other measures to keep everyone safe. Indoor exhibits are temporarily closed, and restaurant and merchandise locations are operating at 25% capacity. Water fountains are closed. There are more hand-washing stations throughout the zoo, and a designated “Clean Team” is constantly cleaning hard and frequently touched surfaces. Social distancing will be in effect, and the zoo strongly encourages guests to wear masks while visiting.
The zoo will be open with extended summer hours on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations can be made at fortworthzoo.org/safe-start.
Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth. Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $16 for ages 13-64, $12 for ages 3-12 and 65 and older, free for ages 2 and younger. Parking is $5. fortworthzoo.org.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The Arboretum reopened June 1st with timed ticketing and other safety precautions. Reservations will be accepted up to one week in advance. No walk-up tickets will be sold. Groups will be limited to five people or fewer. To keep the number of guests in the garden below 1,000, there will be a timed ticketing system with tickets sold for four-hour, overlapping time blocks. Parking must be purchased in advance, and spots will be assigned to maintain safe distancing. The arboretum encourages everyone 3 and older to wear face coverings when within 6 feet of others.
The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, A Tasteful Place Tasting Garden, the gift shop and other public buildings will be closed. Water fountains will be turned off and trams will not be in operation. Only two restroom facilities will be available and limited to 25% occupancy. Visitors are encouraged to take their own food and drinks and carry out their trash as they exit.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. Open in June, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., then from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 2-12, and free for children 1 and younger. Parking purchased online is $10. dallasarboretum.org.
See what else is going on around town HERE!
Be sure to go here to checkout discounted ticket prices for events in Dallas and Fort Worth! Also, keep in mind that Groupon and LivingSocial always have great deals on local shops, restaurants, spas and more. GoldStar also offers half-priced entertainment! For other ways to save on going out, try Pogo Pass or City Pass!
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