A night at the zoo

A number of zoos are introducing overnight programs for children, school groups and families, an increasingly popular way to see the animals in a whole different light, reports Canoe Travel.

The Philadelphia, Denver and Queens zoos are among the trailblazers setting the course for this new level of guest interaction, where visitors participate in special activities and then camp out in the zoo overnight.

"It is a unique experience to be at the zoo without the crowds and additional noise," explained Tracey Patterson of the Denver Zoo. "The things you hear and see in the zoo are completely different."

Denver Zoo has been running its successful Bunk With Beasts program since 1998. Along with the opportunity to camp out, the evening also includes a number of indoor activities and a two-hour nighttime tour of the zoo. Night vision goggles are included so visitors can observe nocturnal beasts.

Those who stay overnight at the Queens Zoo in New York make treats for the animals and then get to watch the handlers feed them in the morning. The Philadelphia Zoo, meanwhile, hosts a Night Flight Overnight Program, where children get to sleep in the zoo’s treehouse.

The programs usually cost between $45 to $75 per person and can vary by zoo and group size.