For as long as I can remember, we’ve always been drawn to zoos. And while I recognize that some of these facilities can be controversial, they also represent a terrific learning opportunity for kids and adults alike. It is with this sense of awe and fascination that we spent a few hours at Toronto Zoo last week. Here’s a video with a few of the highlights, including a pygmy hippo and a couple of Indian rhinos.

Did you watch the vlog from when we were in Toronto last year? On that trip, we visited Casa Loma, Niagara Falls, and the Royal Ontario Museum, but we never made it out to Toronto Zoo. This time, we made it a priority. Earlier this week, I also wrote about how we got to eat Trinidadian food on this trip as well. Still, there’s never enough time. We certainly felt rushed running from exhibit to exhibit.

As I said at the top, we’ve always been fascinated with zoos. That’s why we went to the Australia Zoo near Brisbane to see the wombats and kangaroos. A little closer to home, we’ve also spent time at the Valley Zoo in Edmonton. And what about that adorable baby gorilla at the Calgary Zoo? For my part, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is probably my favorite.

Admission to the Toronto Zoo is $29 for adults, $19 for children (3-12), and $24 for seniors during the peak season; $23 for adults, $14 for children, and $18 for seniors during the off season. Parking is $12. The zoo is located at 2000 Meadowvale Road in Toronto’s Rouge Valley. We were there for about three hours and we could have easily spent three more. The Toronto Zoo is an all-day affair if you can spare the time.