The Experience: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Every kid loves a trip to the zoo, and if your kids are not jaded by attending larger zoos, they will think the Austin Zoo is a pretty big deal. Parents will even find there are benefits to going to a small unassuming zoo instead of a large touristy zoo. For example, it's small enough to cover the whole zoo in about two hours. Also, it's never overly crowded and always pleasant and low-key. Peacocks roam around the zoo along with a few chickens. You can buy a bag of animal food and feed the hooved animals, most of which are goats, in the petting zoo. The signs on many of the cages tell the animals' names and where the animals were rescued from. The zoo is very hilly, so on a hot day it is easy to become overheated. Luckily, snowcones are sold by an independent vendor at the concession stand just past the entrance to the park in the picnic area (along with other foods and snacks). The snowcones are delicious, my personal favorite being the wedding cake flavor with cream added. There is not a large variety of animals in the zoo, so take your time and enjoy getting to know the animals individually. We love the giant tortoises and the friendly llama (if you feed him or her, be sure to visit the hand-washing sink in the picnic area afterwards). The train ride takes a winding path through the hill country and includes some beautiful views (but not many animals).