Utica Zoo Receives 'BEST' Award for the Second Year in a Row

Congratulations to the Utica Zoo - They are once again being recognized for being a fantastic place for both residents of the area and visitors.

Ah, the Utica Zoo... It's the perfect place to take friends and family when they're visiting the area. It's also the perfect place to walk around on a beautiful spring or summer afternoon. Actually, any time is a good time to go to the Utica Zoo, and it looks like I'm not the only one who feels that way.

The Utica Zoo has been named in the "Best of the Best" awards from the Utica Observer Dispatch for "Best Local Tourist Attraction."

Every year the Utica Observer Dispatch puts on their "Best of the Best" awards and finds the best businesses and organizations in Central New York in a variety of categories. The Observer Dispatch has been doing these awards for quite a few years, with different businesses being named and a voting section, so readers can decide who they think should win.

On Wednesday (August 15th), a ceremony was held to recognize those who won awards and other businesses and organizations that deserved mentions in their categories. According to the Observer Dispatch, this is only the second year they've had a banquet for the awards. The OD says,

The awards were given out in an Oscar-like fashion. The top three businesses were announced, and then the winner was named and they went to the stage to accept their plaque.

Again, congratulations to the Utica Zoo, it really is a great place that we're lucky to have right in our backyard. I think we sometimes forget how great it is because we're used to it, and we can visit it whenever we want. But besides just being a great zoo with plenty of animals, and actively working on conservation efforts, the Utica Zoo also puts on some great events for kids, families, and even some just for adults like "Wine in the Wilderness" and "Brewfest."

You can visit the Best Local Tourist Attraction in our area 363 days a year (they are only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Summer hours are 10am to 4:45pm each day. Winter hours will go in effect starting in November.