And thanks to our increasingly urban society, "a petting zoo may be the only place where kids are exposed to animals besides cats and dogs," she says. Jayarao agrees. "It would be a shame to see ...

Seattle's hands-on animal fun is perfect for little explorers and curious kiddos. Some are right in the city, and others are short drives into green pastures. You don’t need a full weekend or a trunk ...

There's a petting zoo with goats, bunnies, pigs, and more—but that's just the beginning. You'll also find pony rides, a kid-sized roller coaster, a tiny steam train, and a U-pick berry field.