Over the weekend, I returned to the Milwaukee County Zoo with my niece for the first time since I was probably 10 years old.
I've been to the Zoofari Conference Center for events but it'd been well over a decade since I'd wandered through the Zoo's animal exhibits, slurping down slushies and racing for my favorite animals.
But for everything that's changed since I was a kid, I was happy to see my memories of the Zoo are still alive and well. Sadly, the train has stopped running for the season but in the warm summer months, kids can still tour the small track and wave to visitors on the path.
Equally important when I was young, you can still watch a wax animal mold press figures right before your eyes. Granted, hot plastic presumably isn't on the list of child friendly toys in 2009, but the monkey or elephant souvenir is in warm action.
And just the same, you can turn a penny into a lifelong souvenir for just 50 cents. Located throughout the grounds, you can still watch as your penny is pressed with into a memorable zoo style souvenir.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
