1. Exotic Animal Paradise
City: Strafford, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 859-5300
Address: 124 Jungle Dr.
Description: You won’t spot any singing purple dinosaurs at Exotic Animal Paradise, but you will see plenty of exotic animals as you drive through this 40-acre park. They’ve got ostriches, longhorns, big cats, birds, monkeys, and more varieties of deer than you can count. These animals really love automobiles and think nothing of planting big slobbery kisses on your windshield. Kids can stretch their legs in the petting zoo, where they’ll find goats, geese, ducks, and llamas among other creatures. Admission prices are $11.95 for children 4 through 12 and for seniors and $15.95 for adults. To get there from Springfield, go east on I-44. Look for the signs 3 miles east of Strafford.
2. Exotic Animal Paradise
City: Strafford, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417)859-5300
Address: 124 Jungle Dr. at MO OO
Description: Don’t let the Strafford address worry you! It’s only 8 miles east of Springfield on I-44. Open to the public since 1971, this 400-acre park is home to more than 3,000 wild animals and birds. It’s a great hot-day activity, as you can drive in air-conditioned comfort in your car or catch the complimentary bus tour, through a landscape dotted with lakes and ponds. The animals roam free in the wilderness park, except for the dangerous big cats and bears, which are kept in a large fenced area. The animals are curious and expect treats. More than 400 animals can be seen in their “wild” surroundings, including rhinoceros, tigers, hyenas, zebras, lemurs, bison, and even ligers! Animal feed is available for purchase, as well as tokens for the arcade, and go-cart rides (open seasonally).Halfway through your trek, you can stop at the Safari Outpost, an outback compound with two gift shops: one with basic curios and souvenirs, and the other, the Kenya Connection, with authentic items from not only Kenya but also countries all over the world. There is also the inevitable (but appreciated) snack bar, and what is even more attractive to the kids, a baby-animal nursery and petting zoo. You can wander among (and feed) potbellied pigs, goats, deer, geese, ducks, and llamas. You get to the Exotic Animal Paradise by taking I-44 east 8 miles to exit 88. Signs along the south outer road will direct you. The park is open every day except Christmas, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults and $12 for children 3 through 11.