Having family around for a visit to Buffalo, NY, means you have to get creative with your visit places.
Some of the top attractions in the city include the Buffalo zoo. Here kids can let their imagination run wild and learn about different animal species while taking many cool pictures. The Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, NY, dates back to 1875 and is located on Parkside avenue. The zoo welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is the second-largest attraction west of the NY state. In 1875, Jacob E. Bergtold was a top furrier in the city and decided to gift it with a pair of deer. The deer needed a place to stay, which led Elam R. Jewett to offer the pair housing in his grand estate. At the same time, plans were underway to create a municipal park and have a zoo in the plans. All this was during the time of Mayor William F. Rogers. It took five years for a permanent structure to be erected housing the deer and other animal species donated to the city. That was the start of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens in Buffalo, NY. During the Great Depression, the zoo was expanded to host more animals and many different plant species. Since then, the Buffalo zoo has seen an increase in structures, flora and fauna that attracts thousands of visitors. Animal species include tiger, tortoise, a two-toed sloth, Indian rhino, North river otter, polar bear, desert iguanas, Sulawesi, and many bird species. Buffalo, NY, revealed a 15-year master plan in 2002 to transform the zoo. The plans included adding more natural habitats and amenities for visitors giving you an exemplary experience. In 2008, Phase one of the masterplan was complete and led to the opening of the vanishing animals exhibit which children love.