All Over Albany

Adirondack Animal Land: It's a zoo

When the Catskill Game Farm closed its doors for good in 2006, many of us were left wondering what would fill the zoo void.

Looks to me like Adirondack Animal Land in Gloversville may be the leading contender.

The first thing I noticed about this family owned and operated zoo was how clean it is. It's obvious that the animals and grounds are well cared for. Also, according to the signs, all of the animals are raised domestically. None of them are captured from the wild.

The next thing I noticed was the size of the place. There's a reason why they give you a map at the gates. The place sits on 92 acres!

And finally, I noticed the cool temperature. Trees blanket the entire main park, which is an benefit during the hot summer months.

There are over 45 species of animals at Adirondack Animal Land and you can hand feed most of the animals. Others, like the black bears, can be fed through a long tube.

For even more direct contact, the zoo offers two giant petting areas, filled with baby goats and deer. And if you're like me and paranoid about germs, there are even free Purell Hand Sanitizer stations scattered throughout the park.

Feeding and petting animals isn't the only attraction. There's a mini "1800's Western Town," multiple playgrounds and picnic areas, pony rides, sing-along shows, safari rides, and much more. You won't find a better place for photo opportunities.

The bottom line: It is definitely worth the 45 minute drive from Albany and the cost of admission. Plus, who can argue with free parking? I suggest packing a lunch, since their cafe doesn't offer the healthiest of choices. You can easily make a day of it. It's fun for the whole family, but you might want to make sure the kids are at least two years old. I went with two 16 month olds who were scared of some of the animals and oblivious of others. Oh, and it'd probably be fun for folks without kids, too.

And whatever you do, don't forget the camera!