One of the few redeeming qualities of the short days of winter is all of the pretty lights. I’m obsessed with all the holiday lights and, thankfully, there are a bunch around here in Colorado Springs. My parents came to visit this past weekend which we used as an opportunity to check out the Electric Light Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I’ve never done anything quite like this before and it was SO COOL!
The gates opened at 530pm and we played it safe expecting traffic. I’m so glad we did because later on there was a line just to get into the parking lot! A lot of the animals were in their indoor enclosures , but it was actually nice because it gave us a break from the cold. One of the cool things about going at night was that the animals were very active. The snakes were all out moving around, the elephants were eating dinner, the lions and snow leopard roaring. We even got to see river otters playing in the water and doing flips over an over again!
The lights were spectacular. Not only were all the trees decked out but there were lots of animal light sculptures that moved. We saw rhinos shaking jeeps and mountain goats fighting and a lion chasing antelope, all made of lights!
It was so much fun to show my parents the zoo. They haven’t been in one quite so interactive before. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is also unique because it truly is built into the mountain. There are so many fantastic views of the city to enjoy in addition to the animals.
Oh! I also feel its important to note that they had really delicious hot chocolate. I mean….was it really worth $5/cup? No probably not. But it was very rich and chocolaty and the perfect warm treat to enjoy the Electric Safari.
If you’re in Colorado Springs you have to check it out. And if not; see if your zoo does something like this! I know they have one in DC, I bet they are all over the place. Its such a unique way to ring in the holiday season.
Oh my gosh, this is the coolest. I’d love to do something like this. It’s always fun to check out Christmas lights.
First question…what’s the electric bill like at this place? Then I saw the snakes…., not a fan of snakes but looks like an interesting place.
Hahaha I didn’t think of the electric bill! Maybe the city cuts them a deal? You’d have to skip the snake exhibit and just enjoy the many other animals 🙂
This is such an interesting and fun place to go to during the holidays! Kids would really enjoy this place, The Christmas lights are really beautiful!
This looks like so much fun, I could do with a a night out such as this.
Oh it’s been so long since I have been out at night!
This looks like a fun night which I could do with.
It has been ages since I have been out at night!
An electric safari sounds interesting. I hope they have more animals than lights to be fair. All the same, a great reason to get out of the house and venture outdoors.
Singapore has a night safari and you can see all the animals as nocturnal animals and its quite fun. This place is also looking fun…. but I am not very keen at seeing snakes in darkness!
I think a zoo trip in the winter would be so much better to see the animals as they are more active. I love hearing the lions roar.
This looks interesting. My son would be so excited to visit this.
This looks like a fun adventure that is kid friendly! My 10 year old was reading your post with me and wanted to know if the yellow snake is poisonous!
Must be an awesome place. I, on the other hand, would have second thoughts staying for the night in a zoo. I’m scared (well, it’s more of a phobia) of snakes, and I just don’t want to be near them.
This is very awesome! But those animals should be their time to have a rest, right? Does the lights doesn’t make them feel stress?
We have few Zoo Park here in our are but it is not the same as this. This is fun to walk around and still enjoy the lights as the spirit of Christmas.
How cool is this?! My kids would love to go to something like that. I wonder if we have anything local that is similar.
A lot of zoos have them this time of year. Or if there isn’t a zoo there are a lot of light festivals in most cities
Whoa! This experience sounds absolutely amazing. I have never tried it but believe me I would love to.
Would love to check out the Electric Light Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado even though this post along with the images make me feel like I already there.
I love Christmas lights! I just passed a house that looked like a ginger bread house filled with lights as I type this post. I’m surprised animals are really active at night. I thought they’d be more active during the day. Maybe that’s why many are laying down during the day when I visit the zoo
Oh my gosh that sounds beautiful! I love light displays like that. A lot of animals are nocturnal, makes the zoo very interesting at night 🙂
This looks like such a fun holiday lights exhibit! I completely agree that it is the one plus side to these short days!
This looks like it would be so much fun. I wish that this was closer to us so I could take my kids.
wow what a lovely place my son loves lights so he would be thrilled:)
What a fun Christmas lights show! I am glad you guys had such a great time together. xo, Suzanne