my family loves the Great plains zoo

I've been saying this for several months now. The Sioux Falls Skedaddle really is a weekend adventure. I love this city and have called it home for most of my life. As a new parent I've really grown to appreciate some of the truly wonderful experiences our big-little city has to offer. Today I want to highlight The Great Plains Zoo. ​

Let's be honest. As runners we can be pretty selfish when it comes to planning a race weekend. As I've gotten into race management and being a new parent I've really tried to look at all of the things it would take for me to commit to a race these days. Having stuff for my family to do is a big deal. During the pandemic the zoo has consistently been a safe place for us to go to escape our house and burn off energy.

Chelsea and I have had a zoo membership for years. Even before we were parents the zoo was very flexible with our membership and allowed us to add our nieces and nephews to our membership. That meant whenever they visited we had an affordable option to create lasting memories.

On our recent trips to the zoo we've really gotten some great close encounters with wildlife! Tigers with a roar you could hear throughout the grounds, primates hooting with delight, the elegance a grace of a giraffes movement and recently Violet's favorite the massive rhino! 

As frequent guests at the zoo we've even shared some great experiences with the zoo keepers too. Did you know that they have an armadillo at the zoo? Violet was treated with a rare look at this unique animal on one of our more adventurous visits (it was kinda cold outside, but we needed to get out of the house). We also were treated to a wonderful song from the singing dogs!

​Trust me if you are bringing kids to Skedaddle weekend you are going to want to checkout the zoo!  

If you go:
Great Plains Zoo
805 S. Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7003

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Author

Greg Koch is the Co-Owner and General Manager of 605 Running Company and Produces the Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon, SuFu Circuit Relay Race and the 605 Summer Race Series. He serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown Sioux Falls, the 605 Race Crew and the Sioux Falls Area Running Club. When Greg isn’t with his family or working he enjoys being outside biking, kayaking, golfing or playing church softball.

​Instagram: gregrun605
YouTube: 605 Running Company
Facebook: facebook.com/greg.koch.583