The Bergen County Zoo is located in Van Saun Park, a county park located in Paramus, New Jersey. Just a few miles from the unofficial shopping capital of New Jersey is this oasis, preserved and maintained by the Bergen County Parks Department. The park is surrounded by a residential neighborhood and provides a sanctuary from one of the most densely populated areas of the state.

One of our stops was the Nature Center of Cape May. This is an often-overlooked attraction and is perfect for a rainy day. The Nature Center is run by the NJ Audubon Society and staffed by wonderful volunteers who love to share their passion for local wildlife and conservation efforts. They run programs throughout the summer including the family-friendly Harbor Safaris on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These events require pre-registration and have a small fee associated with them, but they are well worth planning ahead and contributing to this organization’s efforts.