That late October evening had all the characteristics that make the spooky season so delightful and maybe a little bit eerie – the moon playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, sounds of critters echoing in the otherwise still air, and a slight breeze that stirred every now and then. Only the moonlight, strategically-placed torches, and the light from our phones’ flashlights lit the otherwise darkened path that passed countless animals, from bleating goats to bats hanging around, on this Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures.

A spooky October evening just a few days before Halloween offered my daughter and me the perfect opportunity to check off a long-neglected destination from my fall to-do list. While we’ve visited both the Moraine and Donegal locations of Living Treasures Wild Animal Park during the day, I wanted to experience Night at the Zoo by the moonlight at least once, and it was well worth the years-long wait.

Our adventure at Living Treasures began in the gift shop, where we paid our admission fees and bought feed and carrots for the animals. Don’t worry if you don’t buy enough food. We underestimated how quickly our food would go (it’s really hard to say no more to all of those adorable animals, and some are a little, well, pushy). But we were able to buy extra carrots and food throughout the park. If you forget your flashlight or want light-up gear, you can grab those before heading into the park. We forgot flashlights but figured our phones would be enough when we weren’t taking pictures.

The path is lit only by the moonlight, some torches, and visitors' flashlights. When the clouds hide the moon, it gets incredibly dark, but that’s part of the spooky charm. Pink flamingos perched on rocks as the moonlight shimmered in the water and we passed parrots before being greeted by enthusiastic deer. A few of the deer and, later the goats, allowed us to pet them while they crunched the carrots we gave them. Keep an eye out for the animals being pushed aside by the more enthusiastic of the group. While my daughter fed the outgoing deer, I gave carrots to a shy girl the group was bullying.

Bring quarters along, too, because you can buy food for other animals, like the kangaroos, most of whom were chilling in their area. You can also drop those treats down a slide to two red river hogs. The duo, snorting and sparring for each treat, was probably the most entertaining part of the evening. Many of the animals showed interest when we arrived. While I'm sure it was the food more than our presence, we had fun interacting with everyone, from the llamas to the lemur. The animal park is also home to tigers, gators, and various monkey species.

You can also get your photo taken holding a joey for an additional fee. It was the highlight of a previous visit as was feeding the animals at the petting zoo. While you can quickly walk through the park, take your time, if you can, and enjoy this unique autumn experience. A couple of times, I sat down on one of the benches for a bit of a breather to soak up the atmosphere.

After exploring, check out the gift shop to pick up souvenirs or to grab a sweet treat. Kids in costumes will be given a treat bag at the end of their visit. 

Find more information on the official website of Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, or stop by the Facebook page of this family-friendly attraction in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

Have you been to Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures Moraine or Donegal? Do you agree it’s one of the best kid-friendly events near Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! Want to fuel up before your evening at the zoo? Take your taste buds down Memory Lane with a meal at Ponderosa Steakhouse, about a 20-minute drive from Living Treasures Moraine. All the fun that awaits in Western Pennsylvania means only one thing. You might want to book a local Vrbo and make a weekend of it.