Experience · Albany

Family Afternoon at Chehaw Park & Zoo

Embark on a wild afternoon adventure at Chehaw Park & Zoo, where the whole family can connect with nature and animals. Afterward, refuel with some hearty BBQ before letting the kids burn off any remaining energy at a nearby playground.

A 3.5-hour Albany afternoon plan for families — Chehaw Park & Zoo, Tift Park, The Cookie Shoppe.

Duration
3h 30m
Cost
$35–$70
Stops
3 stops
Walking
Light walking · Total 3.2-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Families · Kids
Start Plan
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Family Afternoon at Chehaw Park & Zoo

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Chehaw Park & Zoo(2 hrs)→
  2. 2Tift Park(30 min)→
  3. 3The Cookie Shoppe(30 min)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 3.2 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Albany instead of crossing town between them. Chehaw Park & Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at The Cookie Shoppe — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families and families with kids who want a planned Albany outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Embark on a wild afternoon adventure at Chehaw Park & Zoo, where the whole family can connect with nature and animals. Afterward, refuel with some hearty BBQ before letting the kids burn off any remaining energy at a nearby playground.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Chehaw Park & Zoo1
    2 hrs
    Chehaw Park & Zoo

    Outdoors

    Parkland for learning about conservation while seeing animals, exploring trails, biking & camping.

    What to do — Wander through the zoo exhibits, discover new animals, and enjoy the open space for kids to explore and play.

    Scout Side Quest

    Pick one animal you see and agree on what human job it would be surprisingly good at.

    2 mi · 7 min drive

    Then A short drive will take you to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

  2. Tift Park2
    Optional 30 min
    Tift Park

    Outdoors

    Founded in 1908, the city's oldest park includes picnic areas, a kids' playground & walking track.

    What to do — Let the little ones run and play on the playground or take a relaxing stroll on the walking track.

    1.2 mi · 6 min drive

    Then Short hop over to The Cookie Shoppe.

  3. The Cookie Shoppe3
    Optional 30 min
    The Cookie Shoppe

    Food & Drink

    What to do — Grab cookies at The Cookie Shoppe for dessert after dinner.

    Scout Side Quest

    Before reading any labels, invent the fanciest, most dramatic name for the first treat you see.

Scout Stories

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The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Albany itinerary for families?
Yes. It's built for families and families with kids and runs about 3 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Chehaw Park & Zoo.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 3 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Albany itinerary cost?
Roughly $35–$70 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 3.2 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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    Duration
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    Cost
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    Ideal for
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