The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, MI 48067

Parents and grandparents probably remember the plastic elephant keys that set off educational recordings at each animal cage at the Detroit Zoo, which is actually located in a suburb north of the city. Memorable as they were, the keys are gone. The live elephants are gone as well (sniffle!) - off to a better place, for them, in California (and doing just fine!).

The Detroit Zoo is not a zoo of the past. In fact, it has continuously reinvented itself through the years to become a state-of-the-art, great-fun-for-the-whole-family - and-for-the-animals-too - zoological park.

It still has the Penguinarium, Great Apes of Harambee, and the Tauber Family Railroad ($2/one way), but it now also has the Butterfly House, Amphibiville, Australian Outback Adventure, and the Arctic Ring of Life - the world's largest polar bear exhibit, at which visitors can actually walk into a transparent tunnel and watch seals and polar bears frolic above and around.

The zoo features the Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater that enhances 3-D technology with special effects such as wind, mist, scents, and seat vibrations. An additional fee is charged.

Kids go wild in the playscape area, with separate areas for younger and older kids. In fact, you might want to move around the zoo clockwise to hit the play area early so your kids don't experience burnout before this point.

Admission to the Detroit Zoo and its features adds up, so if your family will make repeat visits, a seasonal family membership of $74 is the way to go.

Strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and electric vehicles are available for an extra fee.

Parties: The zoo rents out picnic sites in its park with picnic tables for $100. Tented sites for a catered event are available at an additional charge.

Have a Wild Adventure Birthday Celebration at the zoo for up to 12 guests for $27/child and $25/adult (members receive a discount). The price includes zoo admission, pizza or hot dogs and chips, beverages, ice cream cups, gift bags for each child, and decorations.