As I was flipping through the July issue of Cleveland Magazine, an advertisement for “Date Night at the Zoovies” immediately caught my eye. I got online and snagged tickets for Andy and I thinking it would be the perfect first date night in our new city. It definitely lived up to all my expectations and then some!
We arrived just before 7p when the doors to the zoo where scheduled to open. The event was sold out but I never felt crowded at all. Half the time, I felt that we had the zoo to ourselves.
We got our tickets scanned and IDs checked and as I was putting everything back in my bag, I was taken aback by a Zoo volunteer holding a snake just inside the entrance. Definitely wasn’t expecting that!
Rose the hedgehog was definitely more my speed! Another Zoo volunteer had the honor of showcasing her to Zoovie guests. As I learned, hedgehogs are nocturnal so she kept burrowing her head to stay out of the sun. I can now say that I’ve pet a hedgehog.
I can also say that I ate appetizers just feet away from this guy. And a very vocal dining companion he was!
We almost missed this trio as they were quietly munching on their dinner. Andy and I both commented that we don’t think we’ve ever seen a koala before in person.
After grabbing another drink, we decided to check out the Australia area of the Zoo. Andy was trying to get a closer look at the kangaroos.
This dingo was adorable and posed perfectly for this snap. He looks like he’d like a sip of this Great Lakes brew as well, doesn’t he? Of course, the first thing I mentioned when I saw him was, “The dingo ate your baby.” Seinfeld reference for the win!
We decided hands down the elephants have the best enclosure ever. So picturesque!
A stop for some more apps and a drink refill and we headed to the Africa portion of the Zoo. These flowers were absolutely stunning.
The giraffes were ready to head in for the evening but this stork right outside of their enclosure was perfectly content.
This was our first trip to the Cleveland Zoo – Shhh! We’re not telling our children we went without them! – and we were so impressed by how well everything was presented. The flamingos were hanging out under this gorgeous tree as we strolled by.
The Cleveland Zoological Society thought of everything to make the night perfect, including a bug spray bar of sorts before entering where the movie was to be shown.
The popcorn machine was a popular destination before the moving began and throughout the evening. I may or may not have made my husband go back for a second box.
Hot pretzels with your choice of dipping sauce? Yes, please! There was also a candy bar with the best gummy worms ever. AND Sour Patch Kids, Reeses Pieces and a table full of other sweets.
And then it was showtime. The Zoological Society held a two week poll on their Facebook page and their Fans selected “Back to the Future” as the movie. The weather was gorgeous and it amazing to be watching the movie and then remember that the elephants were right behind us.
Hands down the best date night ever. I’m already looking forward to next year!
—–
Disclosure : I was not compensated in any way for this post. I simply want to share more about our experiences at local Cleveland events and attractions with others.
The majority of this post first appeared as a guest post for Pose in Parma.
Susan says
melanie says
sarah says
libbywilko says
Donya says
erica says
Jackie says