Monroe Wildlife Center Makes for Un"fur"gettable Family Fun
For years the Monroe Reptile Zoo brought delight to residents and visitors of Snohomish County. Now, with new ownership and a rebrand, this beloved micro-zoo has expanded into a more immersive experience, including mammals and hands-on opportunities.
You don't expect to find capybaras on the side of the road in the Pacific Northwest. Same with crocodiles and boa constrictors.
There's delight in the unexpected, and the Monroe Wildlife Center definitely brings the unexpected: the fauna of the world is within reach just outside of Monroe, Washington.
The wildlife center is now open to the public and offers some great upgrades to the former zoo experience.
-They've torn down walls, creating a lighter, more open space that invites strolling.
-Many of the animals have been moved to larger, more humane cages.
-The animal lineup has expanded, including adorable mammals like capybaras, river otters, bunnies, goats, and maras (Yeah, I had to look them up. Think of a giant, stern-looking jackrabbit from Argentina).
-There are petting zoo options, and you can buy a small bucket of greens for feeding goats, turtles, and bunnies. You can also hold a giant centipede if that's your thing.
The prices, too, seem to have jumped up, probably to pay for the renovations. But it's worth the price of admission for an hour or so of getting up close and personal with chameleons, crocodiles, and venomous snakes.
The American roadside experience is not dead. Besides the Monroe Wildlife Center, Highway 2 in Snohomish County offers drive-through burger stands, roadside bakeries, and even a Bigfoot espresso stand. Make a summer road trip plan by taking the Sea to Sky route, stopping for waterfalls, hikes, and smalltown shopping along the way.
It all begins with a visit to the capybaras. But where it ends? That's up to you.
