familyfun Wildlife Wonder

ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO • SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

From fish and monkeys to alpacas and birds, the animal kingdom is well represented at the 43-acre Rosamond Gifford Zoo, located at Syracuse, New York’s Burnet Park, but the star residents are the twin Asian Elephants born here in October 2022. Animal-encounter opportunities offer visitors the chance to learn about sloths, penguins and hawks. When it’s time for lunch, stop off at the HoneyBee Cafe, with options like chicken strips and pizza that can satisfy even the pickiest little eaters. Summer 2023 at the zoo brings a Penguin Palooza! ice cream party in July and the Asian Elephant Extravaganza in August, which shines a light on the native cultures of the zoo’s herd of eight elephants. When you visit, take the kids out into Burnet Park, which has a swimming pool, playground and walking trail. 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, New York 13204, 315/435-8511, rosamondgiffordzoo.org

— Gracie Wilson

High Flyers

The largest free outdoor show of its kind in the United States, the Chicago Air and Water Show is one of the city’s most highly anticipated summer happenings. The multiday event brings more than 2 million spectators to the shores of Lake Michigan to see pilots from across the country perform astonishing aerobatic maneuvers in the skies above.

The first Chicago Air and Water Show, held in the summer of 1959, featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, a diving competition and even a water ballet performance. Today, the show features not only top-notch pilots but also parachute jumpers and water skiers. Among the highlights are appearances by the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (This year’s event is set for Aug. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with practice flyovers on Aug. 18.)

The prime viewing location for the Chicago Air and Water Show is directly along Lake Michigan. Bring beach chairs or a blanket and stake out a spot at North Avenue Beach from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, Ohio Street Beach or along Navy Pier.

Those looking to watch the show from the comfort of a sand-covered patio dotted with private cabanas should reserve a spot at the Shore Club on North Avenue Beach. Or, grab a seat at Castaway’s — North Avenue Beach’s blue-and-white boathouse, bar and grill, where cool drinks and live music are always on the menu.

Many of the city’s tour-boat companies offer special cruises — some with lunch buffets and live music — during the Chicago Air and Water Show. Shoreline Sightseeing, Seadog Cruises and Chicago’s First Lady Cruises are a few of the lines that routinely offer excursions during the show. For more information about this event, visit chicago.gov and search for “Chicago Air and Water Show.” — AMY

BIZZARRI

Race Through History

runs a variety of tours inside the legendary venue, providing tour takers behind-the-scenes access to parts of the property they couldn’t normally see.

The popular Barn and Backside Tour explores the expanse of 47 barns that hold up to 1,400 horses, some of which can be spotted going to and from the track, getting baths or relaxing in their stalls. Should you take the early-morning version of this tour, you may have a chance to spot horses training on the famous racetrack. For a more extended watch, sign up for the Thoroughbred Workout Tour, where guides focus on the intricacies of training a racehorse.

The Superstars and Spires tour provides special access to Millionaire’s Row, private dining rooms and balconies where notable figures watch the Derby. During the Bourbon and Bridles Experience, enjoy a bourbon tasting and learn how to make a mint julep with the racetrack as your backdrop. To see the horses in their element, travel off-site for the Hermitage Farm and Museum Tour. For about two weeks before the Kentucky Derby each year, a tour presented in partnership with Hermitage Farm offers sights of horses that will be participating in the Derby.

As May arrives each year, excitement stirs among horse-racing fans for the annual running of the Kentucky Derby, but you can visit the race’s iconic home of Churchill Downs in Louisville throughout the year. The on-site Kentucky Derby Museum

Allow time to visit the museum exhibits where you’ll enjoy mock betting, see galleries about Derby traditions and watch footage of past races. A 20-minute film includes everything from a foal taking his first steps to breathtaking footage of horses racing right at you. 704 Central Ave., Louisville, Kentucky 40208, 502/637-1111, derbymuseum.org

— RICH WARREN

Northern Thrills

CANADA’S WONDERLAND VAUGHN, ONTARIO

Less than an hour’s drive north of Toronto sits the largest amusement park in Canada. Featuring the third-largest collection of roller coasters in the world, Canada’s Wonderland delivers big thrills, but it also hosts a full lineup of summer events around which families can plan their travels north.

From the wonderful flavors of Brew & BBQ to the Irish dancers and hearty shepherd’s pie of Taste of Ireland, the park’s summer sea son offers an impressive lineup of multiday festivals and events. The multiweek Celebration Canada — the largest Canada Day event in the Greater Toronto Area — arrives in July, offering lots of live music, lumberjack demonstrations and plenty of poutine (the iconic Canadian dish of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy).

When it comes to thrills, the 300-acre park boasts Leviathan, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. The ride plunges from a 93-meter (306-foot) peak and reaches speeds of up to 148 kilometers per hour (92 miles per hour). There’s also Yukon Striker, which holds records for being the world’s fastest, longest and tallest dive coaster. Riders hang over a 90-degree drop for three seconds, before reach ing speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour and traveling through a 360-degree loop.

Those looking for something a little tamer will enjoy Wilde Beast, which features a figure-eight, out-and-back design and reaches speeds of 90 kilometers per hour. It is one of three wooden roller coasters and one of four that have been here since the park opened in 1981.

When it’s time to cool off, Canada’s Wonderland is also home to the 20-acre Splash Works Waterpark, which features 17 waterslides and is included with park admission. Opens May 5; 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr., Vaughan, Ontario L6A 1S6, canadaswonderland.com

— BRETT PRICE

Your next adventure awaits in Columbus! From one-of-a-kind date nights to top-rated family outings, we’ve got plans for you. See all there is to do at ExperienceColumbus.com.

Play Time

THE STRONG NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is home to more than 525,000 toys, board games, dolls, documents, video games, books and historic materials, making it the world’s largest collection of historical objects related to play. It may just be the most playful place on Earth.

Exhibits include Pinball Playfields, where visitors can try their hand at historic pinball games and learn about the history of the machines. American Comic Book Heroes covers seven decades of iconic characters that have captured our imaginations.

The eGame Revolution portion of the museum presents the history of video games with giant Tetris, classic consoles and other interactive games. More than 300 years of toy and game development unfold in America at Play, a blend of rare artifacts and hands-on activities. Other permanent exhibits include Build, Drive, Go (a history of vehicles), The Skyline Climb aerials course, the Wegmans

Super Kids Market and a re-creation of Sesame Street that will make you feel like a kid again.

Summer 2023 brings a 90,000-square-foot Neighborhood of Play expansion to the existing 285,000-square-foot museum. The outdoor space features a board-game-themed exhibit (complete with a fire-breathing dragon from Dungeons & Dragons), an exhibit on the history of electronic games, a new home for the World Video Game Hall of Fame and a Women in Games exhibit.

The Strong National Museum of Play is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, featuring inductees such as Lite-Brite and American Girl dolls. The Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play further highlights the toys that shaped the nation. While younger kids will have a blast at the museum, there is fun for all ages. Plan for at least a full day to explore this monument to all things play.

1 Manhattan Sq., Rochester, New York 14607, 585/263-2700, museumofplay.org — CHEZ CHESAK