Hey Wanderers!
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA has decided to make their resort amenities open to paying guests at the luxury hotel or membership only available at a luxury price. We are saddened to see them disconnect from the community where they reside. If you are still interested in luxury travel, you can look for more info at www.Nemacolin.com. If you are looking for affordable fun for the entire family, perhaps there is a resort near you that is similar to the way this resort ran in the past.
When the sun comes out and the rain has stopped and the temperature is good, the Cully family gets the itch for something to do. We have not planned anything. We just want to go.
One of the things that is always on the short list is a local four star resort. Now this resort has beautiful lodging, fine dining, golf, pool, and spa, and skiiing and more; all expensive, top quality opportunities. Maybe one day, we will highlight some of these activities for the family but not today.
Today, we want to share the mini-zoo at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. You can drive right in and follow the animal habitat signs. There is no charge and no bother. They have currently installed a gate; but, so far, it is always open. They have sheep, goats, donkeys, tigers, bears, lions, wolves, a hyena, mountain lions, bison, zebra, and emu. You can park for free and walk around all the habitats. The area also has a nice playground area that includes a playhouse, for a little variety, for younger children. The pond has an island on which you can walk out. Sometimes, you get to see swans and ducks or geese.
At another location in the resort, you can visit the animal nursery. There is a charge of $5/person for an hour. The animal caretakers are always very friendly and educational. They will often answer your questions and allow you closer to some of the animals. They have parrots, goats, sloths, turtles, sometimes young wolves or young lions, porcupine, lemurs, badger, a camel outside, monkeys, and a desert fox.
One time, we saw their new, five month old lion Kiwi. The last time we went to the outside habitat, full grown Kiwi with her 5 month cub Callie. We also saw approx. 5 month old wolf pup Blue on one visit to the nursery and then saw him grown in his outside habitat . They also have stables with horses you can freely visit as well.
We would also like to remind or make you aware that Nemacolin has an excellent July 4th celebration open to the public. They have kids activities, bounce house slides, climbing wall, or slow release down jump for a fee. They have a bowling alley for a fee. They have had free face painting. Their fire works display is actually quite excellent with a solid 15-20 minutes closing with a fantastic finale. They have live music leading up to the fireworks and music during fireworks as well.
Finally, Nemacolin has a holiday light up night the day after Thanksgiving that is open to the public. They do it a little different each year. They sing carols, have a visit from Santa and make a big moment of lighting the outside holiday lights. They usually make a presentation to gift winter coats to a charity for children in need. They have had hot chocolate or hot apple cider, food trucks, life-size gingerbread house and decorate your own cookie, live characters from movies like Elsa from Frozen with the film showing in one room, and live piano music in a main lobby. You can walk through the main hotel and view the art collections and a huge aquarium and the gorgeous Christmas decorations.
You can explore all these things for some free and some very affordable. If you are local or regional, you may want to add these to your list to include or explore. If you are traveling this way, it may also be something for you to check out; or, you can check into the staying resort and its amenities as well.
In case you were wandering!
