As an animal lover I couldn't wait to check out Houston Zoo. As a matter of fact, during conversation with other locals who asked me what I was doing while in town, each of them agreed that the zoo is a great place to check out. When I got there, I was amazed at how every exhibit and display actually takes you to that animal habitat. Whether it is the plant life surrounding the boardwalk or the cave-like tunnel to walk through, you do forget you are in the middle of the city and not out in the wild somewhere.

This time of year the zoo is decked out with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights that transform the place into a beautifully lit wonderland every night through the holidays.

In addition to gawking at all the animals housed at the zoo, there are interactive and educational elements as you stroll through the enclosures. During my visit I was told there would be an opportunity to feed the giraffes. I couldn't pass that up. Click over to the next page to see the two friends I made -- and who insisted on photobombing each other's pictures!