This evening, I took my daughter to see the Pittsburgh Zoo Christmas lights. We had a blast! The lights were beautiful and the animals were so much fun to see. Even though it was cold, we had a great time.

I wanted to share my experience with you in case you’re considering taking your family to see the lights. I’ll give you some tips on what to expect and how to make the most of your visit. I hope you have as much fun as we did!

Overview of the Zoo’s Annual Event

If you’re looking for a festive way to spend an evening with your family, the Pittsburgh Zoo’s annual Christmas lights event is the perfect choice. The zoo is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, and there’s plenty of holiday cheer to be found in every corner.

My daughter and I had a great time exploring the zoo and checking out all the different light displays. We even got to see Santa Claus! It was a special experience that we’ll always remember.

What to Expect at the Pittsburgh Zoo

If you’re planning to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo this holiday season, you can expect to see a brightly lit zoo covered in festive decorations.

There will be plenty of activities for the little ones, including a visit from Santa, caroling by the Christmas trees and arts and crafts. My daughter always enjoys watching the animals receive their holiday treats.

The zoo is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day. We usually go in the late afternoon and stay until it closes, so we can enjoy the lights without having to deal with the crowds.

Prepare Ahead and What to Bring

The best way to enjoy the experience is to go in with a game plan. I like to arrive early, so we can walk around and take our time. I also like to pack a few snacks and drinks, since we’ll be there for a while. It’s always nice to have something to nibble on, and something to drink in case it gets cold.

And of course, I always make sure to bring my camera. I never know when I’ll spot a good photo opportunity, and I don’t want to miss a single moment.

Capturing Moments and Thoughtful Mementos

Making the most of our time at the zoo lights, I wanted to capture each and every joyful moment with my daughter. Every minute was filled with laughter and cheers, as she marveled at the festive decorations and glowing trees.

Luckily, I was prepared to snap pictures of our adventure with my camera. From sweeping views of the entire park to special poses between my daughter and me, I made sure to document lots of memories for us both to take home.

What I found most fun about my time in Pittsburgh Zoo was buying mementos for us both to keep. Little stuffed snowmen, light-up snowflakes and hot cocoa-scented candles—all lovely reminders of a beautiful winter evening. It’s these thoughtful pieces that truly make the experience something we can smile about for years down the line.

Tips for Taking Pictures at the Zoo Lights

When it comes to capturing the joy of these moments, I have a few tips. First, bring your tripod! This will allow you to get the clearest pictures and avoid blurry shots. Secondly, take photos during times when fewer people are present—this will make it easier to get pictures without people in them. Finally, make sure your camera is set on the right settings—for night photography I typically use a low ISO and long shutter time.

I also highly recommend using your phone’s portrait mode or experimenting with different camera angles. Changing your perspective can help you capture unique shots that stand out from the crowd. A couple of my favorite angles for the zoo lights are bird’s eye view or providing a dramatic foreground of one of the Christmas trees with the lights in background. Taking pictures from different angles can be great fun too!

Takeaways From the Experience

The experience of taking my daughter to the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Christmas light show was truly magical. Watching the way her eyes lit up as she saw the twinkling lights and feeling the warmth of her hand in mine as we walked around was a moment I won’t soon forget.

What I took away from this experience is that sometimes, it’s not so much a matter of finding joy but rather taking a step back to appreciate what’s already around us. It’s important to take the time to create moments like this with the people you love and make sure they know how special they are.

Life can get busy, but something I’m trying to make sure I prioritize is stepping away from the hustle and bustle and soaking in moments like this; it adds a little bit of extra happiness into our lives and goes a long way.

It was a fun and festive outing that we all enjoyed. I highly recommend visiting the zoo during the Christmas season if you’re in the Pittsburgh area – it’s definitely worth it!