What a day! On June 19, 2012, we packed up the kids, some sunscreen, and a lot of excitement and headed to Hogle Zoo for a day full of wild fun and unforgettable memories. From the moment we walked through the gates, the air buzzed with adventure—and not just from the animals. The boys positively vibrated with excitement!

Hogle Zoo is one of the must-see places of Salt Lake City. Hogle Zoo is the perfect size for a family with young children. The zoo didn’t feel crowded, and it had everything you would want to see. In addition, the zoo itself is wonderfully well designed. A and D had so much fun. Their eyes were bright and excited at every turn. Each new animal was a new adventure for them.

Three days ago we had the Rhemalda Got Stories Conference and instead of just turning around and returning to Washington, we had some fun with the boys and take them to Hogle Zoo. Ryan, Liz, and the girls live here and we decided to grab them and head to the zoo for a super fun day.

Everyone who knows our family well knows we like to arrive early and stay as long as we can so we get to experience everything. Visiting the zoo was no different. We arrived at Hogle Zoo as soon as it opened. It was great to be some of the first people in the park. I highly recommend getting there early. All of the animals were alert and playful.

Busiest Day in History at Hogle Zoo

We visited Hogle Zoo on June 19th. This year, June was the busiest month in the zoo’s history with over 214,000 people visiting during a 30-day period.

ARH and DEH absolutely love carousels, and this one was no exception. The moment they spotted it, their eyes lit up with excitement. They rushed into line, barely able to contain their energy, and chatted eagerly about which animal they hoped to ride. As soon as it was their turn, they raced aboard with joyful squeals, weaving through the crowd of riders to find just the right spot. After careful consideration, each of them selected their perfect mount. With the music playing and the carousel whirling to life, they held on tight and waved as they went around, their laughter trailing behind them.

I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the most handsome man on Earth as we chased kids around the zoo. In the middle of all the animals, rides, and laughter, there was Rhett—cool as ever in his signature hat and shades, looking like he walked straight off the set of an adventure movie. Whether he was keeping up with the kids, handing out snacks, or hoisting little ones up for a better view, he made it all look effortless. I’m so glad I caught this moment—sunlight through the trees, that familiar grin, and a heart full of love leading the way through one unforgettable day.

Let’s Go See Some Animals

I didn’t take pictures of every animal and there’s no way I can remember them all, but here are a few of our family favorites.

The polar bear gave us a good laugh, lounging like royalty in the cool shade of his habitat, while the monkeys were a ball of non-stop energy, swinging, tumbling, and chattering in a flurry of fur and mischief. The elephants were magnificent as always, and we were lucky enough to see the baby elephant tagging close behind its mama—ears flapping and trunk swinging like it was showing off for the crowd.

Somewhere in the middle of our exploring, we took a break to indulge in a classic zoo treat: warm elephant ears dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Sticky fingers and big smiles all around—it was one of those simple pleasures that made the day feel even more special.

The little elephant statue that the kids are sitting on is actually a fountain and we didn’t know it. It made a noise and then spouted water all over Rhett a few moments after this picture was taken. It was hilarious and unexpected and had us laughing like crazy.

And then there was the rhino, lumbering across the enclosure like a prehistoric tank. The kids were half in awe, half in shock that such a creature could be real and not just from a dinosaur book. They’ve seen rhinos on cartoons and wildlife shows, but I don’t think they realized just how huge they are.

Here’s our little explorer, ARH, looking every bit the adventurer with his wide-brimmed hat—just like Daddy’s! Both of the boys have hats just like daddy and they wear them with pride. ARH wore it proudly all day, ready for whatever the zoo had in store. With his water bottle strapped on, sunglasses at the ready, and that trademark spark in his eyes, he was unstoppable. Whether he was leading the way to the next animal or giving a thumbs-up for the camera, he tackled the day with excitement and heart.

We spent time marveling at the giraffes, watching those long, graceful necks stretch toward the sky. They were just finishing up their breakfast when we arrived and were coming out of their barn into the yard. The kids were fascinated by the giraffe’s long legs and towering height.

Did you know that a group of giraffes is called a “tower?” That makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

Did you know that giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans: 7. They’re just… gigantic!

A giraffe’s heart is 2 feet long and weighs around 25 pounds. It has to be that powerful to pump blood all the way up their long neck to the brain.

Did you know that a giraffes tongue is long enough to clean their own ears? Yep—about 18–20 inches long, and super flexible. They use them to strip leaves from trees and apparently … for ear hygiene too!

One of the most mesmerizing stops of the day was the sea lion exhibit. DEH touched a sea lion skull and asked tons of questions. He wanted me to read every plaque to him. His older brother, ARH, indulged him and read the words he knew. I just filled in on the bigger words. The boys enjoyed watching them glide effortlessly through the water, twist, and dive, and pop up to greet the crowd had the kids completely captivated. Their playful energy was contagious, and we could’ve stood there for hours just soaking it all in.

This little guy was DEH’s favorite.

Do you know that sea-lions take Underwater Naps? They can sleep while floating in the water, often forming a group called a raft—it looks like a bunch of logs bobbing on the surface.

Do you see those long whiskers? Did you know they are superpowers? Sea-lions sensitive whiskers (called vibrissae) help them detect vibrations and movements in the water—great for finding fish!

And, ARH’s favorite feature because he is a bit of a smarty pants himself, sea-lions are fast learners. Sea lions are incredibly smart and can be trained to perform tricks, recognize patterns, and even assist in some marine research programs.

Tucked away in one of the quieter corners of the zoo, we came across three of the most colorful little birds we’d seen all day. The first had deep green and yellow feathers with hints of blue that shimmered in the light as it waddled across the ground—like a tiny forest jewel on the move. The second was a bright burst of sunshine, a vibrant yellow bird perched confidently on a branch, catching everyone’s eye with its golden glow. And the third was simply breathtaking—a fluff of turquoise, violet, and rose, sitting like a painted ornament on a perch. We could have stood there forever, just admiring their brilliant colors and delicate beauty. It was a lovely, peaceful moment amidst the energy of the zoo, and a favorite photo stop for all of us. This is where we learned that there would be a bird show this afternoon.

‘ARH’ has a tendency to get sunburned easily and his little cheeks turn bright red right under his bright eyes. I thought it about time for us to take cover for a little bit and let him get out of the sun. We cooled off for a bit in the reptile house, where we eyed snakes behind thick glass and marveled at all the textures and colors of the lizards and amphibians. The kids held their breath as they spotted camouflaged critters tucked in corners and branches. A mixture of “ooh” and “eww” echoed down the hall as they explored every tank.

After exploring the reptile house, we noticed the sun had taken its toll on the boys. Little legs were dragging, cheeks were flushed and sunburned, and that unmistakable “zoo crash” look had begun to set in. We knew it was time for a break. So we made our way to the bird show (See Below), grateful for the chance to sit down in the shade for a little while and let the kids rest while still being entertained. It turned out to be the perfect choice—just the right mix of calm and excitement to recharge everyone’s spirits. A protein bar or two helped also.

One of the last things we did was hop aboard the train. The kids were starting to get tired and needed another break. The train ride was the perfect way to wrap up our day—just enough movement and magic to stir up the excitement for everything to come. Of course, no visit would be complete without a spin on the carousel. The kids carefully picked their favorite animals to ride—some choosing exotic creatures they’d just seen, others simply going for the highest jumpers.

We ended the afternoon with one last loop past a few favorites, dragging our feet a little because none of us really wanted to leave. It was the kind of day that reminds you how magical the world is through a child’s eyes—and how much joy can come from shared laughter, animal antics, and just being together.

Hogle Zoo gave us more than a fun day—it gave us memories we’ll treasure forever.

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There’s always something happening at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Summer of 2012 was The World of Flight Bird Show.

The World of Flight Bird Show, Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, Utah

During our Utah trip for the Got Stories Conference we took the opportunity to take the boys to visit Utah’s Hogle Zoo! THe boys love going to the zoo and this one had the added opportunity of being especially fun because everything is more fun with cousins. One of the biggest highlights of the day was The World of Flight Bird Show Summer 2012. We found seats early and settled in, not quite prepared for how interactive it would be. The crowd gasped when a falcon swooped inches overhead—and the kids ducked and squealed with giddy terror as it buzzed right past our heads! It was the perfect mix of awe and adrenaline. It was adorable. We were lucky enough to catch a few great pictures of these birds playing it up for the viewers.

The Talking Bird of Hogle Zoo – Bird Show Summer 2012

One of the most enjoyable aspects of The World of Flight Bird Show was the talking bird.

I was browsing YouTube and found a creator who posted a video of The World of Flight Bird Show from the Summer of 2012. This is the same show that we watched although filmed on a different day. It was fun to watch their video and remember the show our family saw.

If you want to visit Hogle Zoo here’s how to find it in the beautiful Salt Lake City Utah area.

HOGLE ZOO
2600 Sunnyside Ave (840 South)
Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Hogle Zoo Information

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) accredited facility. Located at the mouth of Salt Lake City’s Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the Intermountain West, and houses over 800 animals representing 139 species.

The zoo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is supported through Salt Lake County’s Zoo Arts and Parks Tax and private donations raised by the Utah Zoological Society and the zoo’s board of directors.

The zoo has been at its present location at the mouth of Emigration Canyon since 1931 on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hogle. Its original location was in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park.