Where to see animals with kids around Houston

Seeing animals in Houston runs from a $30 ticket at a major zoo to a completely free county park, with two aquariums that double as rain and heat shelters. One giraffe fed, one alligator skull touched, and a 2-year-old has a story for the week.

The Houston Zoo is among the most visited in the country; feeding the giraffes and the summer water play area are the must-dos. The Downtown Aquarium takes an hour and is the backup for rain and heat. Farther afield, the tractor ride at Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin lets alpacas and camels push their heads into the wagon, and monkeys roam overhead in the rainforest pyramid at Moody Gardens. The free options hold up too: bison, emus and peacocks at Bear Creek Pioneers Park, live snakes and turtles at Bellaire's Nature Discovery Center, and the nature centers at Armand Bayou and Jesse Jones in the hikes guide.

• 6 places
• 2 free
• 5 stroller-friendly
• closest is 20 min away