The Salisbury Zoo in Salisbury, Maryland

The Salisbury Zoo is by no means that largest zoo you'll ever go to, but for a free zoological society, it's pretty darn good. The zoo features animals native to North, South, and Central America and offers a family-friendly and educational experience with an approachable, "mom-and-pop" feel to it. Our favorite animals included the bears, a variety of birds/ducks that kids can get up-close to, and the tamarins. 

There are paved walking paths to explore as you inspire in your children a lifelong love of nature, and you may try a game of "I Spy" or pose in front of all of the animal sculptures you see to add some more fun to your visit. In total, the zoo is about .7 miles long. We've been to a lot of zoos and we found that this one was just the right size for a manageable day trip. Our 5 and 7 year-old companions thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of animal life while also not tiring out from too much walking. Our 2 hour trip allowed us to see all of the animals as we wandered at a leisurely pace.

You can pack a lunch to eat from home or grab a small bite from the one concession stand that's on the premises. There you'll find granola bars, juice, hot pretzels, and hot dogs. (If you're looking for a complete meal after your visit, we recommend checking out Specific Gravity for some pizza) The zoo also has bathrooms with changing tables. 

After you're done at the zoo, be sure to go check out Ben's Red Swings. It's an amazing playground that can be reached from the back entrance of the zoo. You don't even need to get back in the car!