Honolulu Zoo

Nobody comes to Hawaii to see an Indian elephant or African lions and zebras. Right? Wrong. This 43-acre municipal zoo in Waikiki attracts visitors in droves. If you've got kids, allot at least half a day. The highlight is the new African Savannah, a 10-acre exhibit with more than 40 African critters roaming around in the open. The zoo also has a rare Hawaiian nene goose, a Hawaiian pig, and mouflon sheep. (Only the goose, an evolved version of the Canadian honker, is considered to be truly Hawaiian; the others are imported from Polynesia, India, and elsewhere.)

For a real treat, take the Zoo by Twilight Tour, which offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into the lives of the zoo's nocturnal residents. Tours are Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30pm; the cost is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 12 years. Other great family programs include: Snooze in the Zoo, where kids can discover "who is roaring and who is snoring" during the night with pizza, tours, and campfire time with s'mores, plus breakfast and a morning stroll ($50 age 4 and up; check website for dates); and Star Gazing at the Zoo, an evening tour of the zoo that also explores the night sky above Hawaii with astronomer Dr. Michael Chauvin ($12 adults, $8 children ages 4-12).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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