a la carte is held at the Milwaukee County Zoo each year
Milwaukee Zoo Ala Carte, dubbed "Feast with the Beasts" is held each year in the third week of August on the Milwaukee County Zoo grounds in Wauwatosa, WI. This festival chocked full of food from area restaurants, family entertainment and of course zoo animals, runs four days from the Thursday morning of that week through the following Sunday evening.
Instructions
1. Visit the website in this article for a la carte information for that summer including headline music acts, hours, maps, driving directions, gate prices, dates and event hours. These can vary from year to year, so you will want to check back often.
2. Get advanced tickets at area businesses or banks if possible. You can also visit many parks and recreation departments to get discount zoo admission tickets in advance. These will admit you to a la carte as well. Often radio stations will hold contests so you can win tickets by being the correct caller or entering drawings before zoo a la carte. You can also use your zoo pass to get into zoo a la carte free of charge.
3. Bring a small water cooler that you can carry filled with lots of ice. You can strap this on or tuck it in a backpack. This will save you money and you can save your tickets for other beverages and lots different food items. It comes in very handy if you have several individuals attending the zoo with you. This is allowed as it is a Milwaukee County park.
4. Use your credit card or cash to buy food and beverage tickets. These are the currency of zoo a la carte, as any other form of payment is not accepted during this time. Tickets come in 50 cent increments and there is no minimum to buy. There are ticket vendors set up at the main entrance and they are also located throughout the zoo in each village. The average food cost is between six to eight tickets and drinks are about the same.
5. Put on your walking shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen and map out your route around the Milwaukee zoo villages. You will be given a map and a calendar of zoo a la carte events when you arrive and pay at the zoo admission gate. Leave your umbrella, jacket or poncho in the car in case the weather becomes inclement. Wisconsin weather can be unpredictable at times and chilly winds can move in. You can go inside some animal buildings and wait out the storm, but those buildings will be crowded.
6. All of the entertainment is free at the zoo, and family friendly, with the main headline acts appearing after dark. Feel free to stroll around the zoo so you get a sample of the many varieties of entertainment and music, including all types of music, comedy, animal demonstrations, magicians, clowns and even wine tasting.
7. Have a cell phone with you in case you or your children or group become separated. Make sure others know cell phone numbers of your group members (or parents) in case they get lost and know to find a zoo staff member, or can find a sheriff to help them locate you.
