Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center

Adorable. Not very big, but great spot to bring the kids for an hour or so. The have a big bird area, a lizard/​turtle/​snake area, and an indoor log cabin you can go in and they might let a bunny hop around. They do birthday parties, where you can set up in the game room, get a tour, have some pizza.
It’s also at the opening to Mill Pond Park, which leads to the «pool,» a playground, tennis courts, baseball fields, skate park, picnic areas, and a dog park… so depending on your needs, you could hit up a few spots and create a «circuit.»
Boom…easy breezy affordable day

Fun and educational place for kids and some adults!
Great variety of all kinds of animals.
They host birthday parties too.

What a sweet little nature center! I wandered in this afternoon after a very un-​fun visit to the DMV across town. If you are ever stuck at the DMV for a few hours, visit this place to unwind. ;)
I happened to be the only visitor at the moment, so I got to chat for a while with the woman working there. She introduced me to all the birds (Merlin, Thomas, and Bonnie) and got to try to make them talk to me. Merlin (the gorgeous red macaw) said a couple of words in response to my cell phone’s alarm. Thomas (an African Grey) wished me a good morning and then mumbled at me a bit. ;) I also was allowed to hold Bonnie and she showed me her trick of climbing from one hand to the other if you hold your fingers out like ladder rungs.
There are bunnies, ferrets, lizards, turtles… I tend to turn to mush around animals anyway, so this was the best place to possibly do to clear my head this afternoon.
They also host birthday parties for kids… I asked if I could come back and visit for my 34^th. The woman there said there was no reason I couldn’t. ;) My friends may be getting some animal-​themed invitations this year! :)