Kiddin' Around: The ZooBalloon
Year-round, the zoo's most outwardly visible, helium-filled attraction rises above the Schuylkill, inciting pleas of, "Can we?" every time you pass. Yes, you can.
The long: Year-round, the zoo's most outwardly visible, helium-filled attraction rises above the Schuylkill, inciting pleas of, "Can we?" every time you pass. Yes, you can.
The short: A 10-minute rite of passage for Philly kids.
The demo: All ages. Must be at least 9 to ride without a grown-up.
The wait: On a recent, unusually sunny weekday, about 25 minutes. Weekends: Arrive early.
How high: The tether stretches 400 feet - high enough to warrant warning flags to low-flyers not to pass underneath.
How scary: Not very. If it's windy, rainy, or whatnot, the balloon's grounded.
The rules: Hands, cellphones, anything that's in your mouth stays inside. An attendant rides along to make sure you of it.
Capacity: About 15 people. Fits standard-size, nonelectric wheelchairs.
Moment to yourself: What a view: the green expanse of east Fairmount Park.
History: The current, circa 2015 balloon is the zoo's third. No. 1 (2002-08) featured giraffes. No. 2 had tiger stripes; heavy snow popped it in 2013.
More history: Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard flew America's first hot-air balloon from what's now Washington Square (then Walnut Street Jail) in 1793. George Washington watched.
Bonus: You don't need to enter the zoo to ride the balloon. If you ride during your zoo visit, get your hand stamped first so you can reenter.
The basics: 3400 W. Girard Ave., $12 a person, $40 family four-pack, (zoo admission $19-$23), 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March-October; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. November-February, 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org.
Lauren McCutcheon's kid begged to board, got to the top, and said, "Look, a truck!"