Family Fun
New at the Zoo
The Buffalo Zoo resonates with the sounds of frolicking, fun-loving animals in brand new, state-of-the-art aquatic habitats. The recently-opened Otter habitat recreates a moving stream and pond, offering visitors an up-close-and-personal look at these charming New York natives.
 Also new at the Zoo: a naturalistic rocky pool that will be home to a group of charismatic, vocal sea lions. Visitors will have an excellent view of the sea lion shows from every angle of the 220-person raised amphitheater.
Looking for things to do in Buffalo? Coming soon, visitors will find a fully-enclosed 18,000 square foot South American Rainforest Exhibit will be constructed and include more than 130 new animal species in a “walk-through” environment.
There are still plenty of lions and tigers and bears at the Zoo, but they’ve been joined by some pretty exciting friends.
Visit buffalozoo.org for more information.
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Ahoy mates!
 The largest inland park of its kind, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park is situated conveniently on Buffalo’s downtown waterfront. All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in the park’s exhibits.
Visitors are invited to tour the decks and hulls of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine. It’s a hands-on experience like no other!
See the 610-foot USS Little Rock, the USS Croaker commissioned in 1944, and the USS The Sullivans, named for five brothers who lost their lives in the Battle of the Solomon Islands when their ship sunk. Also on display are airplanes, tanks and more.
The indoor section of the museum offers a collection of military uniforms and memorabilia as well as a store full of mementos of your visit.
The Naval Park is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through October. In November, the Park is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, check out www.buffalonavalpark.org.
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Fun? Wow!
 You’ll be glad you made the trip to spend the day at Martin’s Fantasy Island. Located on Grand Island between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, Martin’s Fantasy Island is a seasonal treat for the entire family.
With more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, Fantasy Island has been entertaining kids of all ages for generations with the newest thrill rides and classic favorites. Excite your senses on Chaos, Up, Up & Away Balloon, Sea Ray, or the “Silver Comet” – the newest classic wooden coaster in Western New York. Visit Kiddie Land, the water park, petting zoo, miniature golf, the Ferris wheel, carousel, merry-go-round and much more.
New to Fantasy Island are the Cannon Bowl water ride and the Crazy Mouse coaster.
Not-to-be-missed favorites include the Wild West Shoot-Out, Wild West Review Saloon Show, Martin’s Fairy Tale Theater, and puppet shows.
Kick back and relax with a bite of lunch or cool treat in one of the many shaded rest spots.
Fantasy Island is open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from mid-June through Labor Day.
For more information, go to www.martinsfantasyisland.com.
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Little Hands . . . busy hands
 “Please touch” is the theme of the day when you take young ones to visit Explore & More . . . A Children’s Museum. It’s a spot that sparks a child’s creativity, curiosity and imagination. And it’s the region’s only museum that’s designed just for children from birth through ten years of age.
Big Feats for the Littlest Hands is designed for the museum’s youngest visitors – full of opportunities for crawling, climbing and exploring.
See how it’s made. In “Building Curiosity,” older visitors are given the tools, supplies and freedom to “build” a “house” from real, but safe materials.
“Food Glorious Food” allows young shoppers to follow the food process from garden to kitchen.
“Culture Corner” encourages visitors to explore the similarities and differences in cultures around the world and “Let’s Figure it Out” offers brain teasers, challenges, and games designed for the entire family to enjoy together.
Located in nearby East Aurora, Explore and More… is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, go to exploreandmore.org.
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Scientifically super!
 Here’s where to find out how things work and grow – preserved relics from the past and what the future holds. Learn about the wonder of the human body as well as ancient civilizations. Collections in the Buffalo Museum of Science represent the natural and physical sciences – so much for the young and young-at-heart to discover and re-discover!
What’s more fun and fascinating than dinosaurs? Dinosaurs & Co. showcases one of the Museum's interesting collections of fossils. Organized into four sections: “The Early Seas,” “Conquest of the Land,” “The Age of Dinosaurs” and “The Age of Mammals” – each section reflects an episode of natural history.
Then shoot off into space! Boldly go where no man has gone before. Literally! “Our Place in Space” is the Museum's renovated astronomy gallery with five astronomy-themed areas providing hands-on exploration of our place in space.
On the first Thursday of every month, little ones can enjoy Camp Wee Explorers. It’s a hands-on, interactive gallery designed for children aged 2 to 7.
The Museum of Science is located at 1020 Humboldt Parkway off the Best Street exit from the Kensington Expressway (Rte. 33).
Hours vary by season. Visit www.sciencebuff.org for more information.
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On a Carousel!
 A favorite rite of childhood is that first ride on an old fashioned carousel. The Buffalo area is home to the only carousel museum in the world housed in an authentic, original carousel factory building with an operating 1916 carousel as well as a vintage 1940s "Kiddie Carousel."
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum includes the Lockman Collection of 20 hand-carved carrousel animals; a photo exhibit documents the production of a carousel, from delivery of lumber to setup in a park; "Good Fun in Hard Times" which explains the introduction by the Allan Herschell Company of "Kiddieland" and all of its related rides for children; and the Wurlitzer Music Roll Shop that contains the only remaining music roll production equipment from the Wurlitzer Company.
The building and 1916 carousel are listed on both the New York State and National Register of Historic Sites.
Located at 180 Thompson Street in the City of North Tonawanda near Buffalo, museum admission includes a free ride on one of the two operating carousels. Visit carrouselmuseum.org or call 716-693-1885 for hours and more information.
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Theatre of Youth
Theatre of Youth (TOY) has set the standard in excellence as Western New York’s only professional theatre dedicated to presenting internationally and nationally known works for children and families. TOY welcomes over 60,000 patrons every season where thoughtful stories engage each child’s creativity, intellect and emotions. Highly regarded for the respect shown to the world of the child, all performances are followed by interactive talkbacks between cast and audience and accompanied by an arts activity guide.
Professional adult actors and award-winning original set and costume designs grace the stage of the historic Allendale theatre, originally constructed in 1913, which once boasted performances of WC Fields and Isadora Duncan in Buffalo’s Allentown neighborhood.
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