Natural Bridge, Virginia: Virginia Safari Park

This was a ton of fun, however, I have some tips for you. First, buy two buckets to feed the animals. You will need it. Second, don't keep feeding all the llamas because there are lots of other animals coming. Also, don't hand-feed the ostriches. It hurts! Third, they will make a complete mess out of your car, so be prepared. Make sure you have some paper towels and cleaner ready. Fourth, they will reach their entire heads inside of your car. I didn't realize how forceful they could be and they knocked over the whole bucket in my car! The closest place to vacuum out your car, that I am aware of, is in Lexington.

Lastly, I paid to feed the giraffes but the keepers put them away a half hour before closing. So I never got the chance. Note that the zoo portion of the park starts putting their animals away for the night about 45 minutes before closing.

Allow at least 2-3 hours, because the drive through and the walking part is long, but worth it! We didn't get to feed the giraffes because we were too close to the closing and the giraffes were headed to the barn, which was a bummer, but loved it just the same!

The drive-through part is such a riot! Your car will get a bit messy from food pellets. There is a nice walking zoo to check out as well.

This was the most fun we have had in a long time! Your car will get dirty, inside and outside. But you will laugh yourself silly at the antics of the animals!

In Natural Bridge, 180 acres of drive-thru zoo with every type of hoofed animal you can think of, from llamas to bison, to zebras and wildebeest, and a couple ostriches. All come up freely to your vehicle, from which you can pet and feed (for a totally reasonable additional fee). Be careful of the llamas -- they spit. Then they have another 10 or 12 acres with petting zoos with all sorts of animals like giraffes and kangaroos. Favorite part of our whole road trip, so funny!