Up-Close Wildlife Encounters: Spending a Family Weekend at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Near Clay
At Matthews Kia of Clay, we know that family weekends in Central New York are defined by exploring our rich regional parks, lakefront paths, and educational treasures. Just a convenient 20-minute drive south from our Route 31 showroom, the renowned Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse offers one of the finest wildlife conservation experiences in the Northeast. Whether your family is eager to watch the Asian elephant herd splash in their outdoor pool, stroll through tranquil bird aviaries, or combine your zoo trip with a scenic park picnic, this regional destination makes for an unforgettable family road trip.
Top Wildlife Stops & Day Trip Destinations
Main Attraction
Visit Official Zoo Website →Rosamond Gifford Zoo
14.2 Miles from Dealership (approx. 20 mins)
Located on Syracuse’s historic Tipperary Hill, this 43-acre AZA-accredited zoo is home to over 700 animals across more than 200 species. Highlights include the expansive Helga Beck Asian Elephant Habitat, Primate Park, Amur tigers, red pandas, and the indoor diversity of birds pavilion.
Family Tip: Reserve tickets online to skip the front gate queue, and head straight to the Asian Elephant Preserve early in the morning during feeding demonstrations.
Adjacent Stop
View City Parks Details →Burnet Park & Tipperary Hill
Surrounding the Zoo Grounds
Surrounding the zoo, Burnet Park features elevated hill views overlooking downtown Syracuse, peaceful walking trails, picnic shelters, and community sports facilities. Just down the street, explore the neighborhood’s famous upside-down green-over-red traffic light.
Scenic Route: Pack lunch in the car and grab a picnic pavilion overlooking the hillside after exploring the zoo grounds.
Waterfront Nature
Explore Onondaga Lake Park →Onondaga Lake Park
5.8 Miles from Dealership (approx. 9 mins)
Known as the Central Park of Central New York, this waterfront park stretches over seven miles along the shoreline of Onondaga Lake. It offers flat paved walking paths, playgrounds, the historic Salt Museum, and scenic vistas along the East Shore Trail.
Activity Tip: Bring strollers, scooters, or bicycles in the back of your SUV for an easy afternoon ride along the water.
Science & Learning
Visit the MOST Website →Milton J. Rubenstein Museum (MOST)
13.5 Miles from Dealership (approx. 18 mins)
Situated in Syracuse’s historic Armory Square, the MOST delivers 35,000 square feet of hands-on science exhibits, the state-of-the-art National Grid ExploraDome theater, and a multi-level climbing playhouse for kids of all ages.
Weather Backup: An ideal pairing with the zoo if afternoon rain or chilly lake-effect winds move through the area.
Central New York Driving Tips & Best Vehicle Matches
Planning family weekend excursions through Onondaga County, Syracuse hills, and lakeside parkways requires a vehicle equipped with versatile cargo capacity, confident all-weather traction, and intelligent driver safety assists. Here are top Kia recommendations for your family road trips:
Kia Telluride
A premier 3-row family SUV seating up to eight with 87 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, perfect for hauling strollers, wagons, and picnic gear, along with Active AWD for year-round stability.
Kia Sorento
Offers versatile three-row seating in a nimble footprint that maneuvers easily through Syracuse parking garages, featuring available turbo performance and Center-Locking AWD.
Kia Carnival MPV
Delivers best-in-class passenger volume, flexible Slide-Flex second-row seating, and hands-free smart power sliding doors to make loading young children and diaper bags effortless.
Kia Sportage
Boasts class-leading second-row legroom, impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy, and available Multi-Terrain AWD for smooth travel along Onondaga Lake Parkway and village streets.
Kia EV9
An innovative all-electric three-row SUV offering rapid DC fast charging, ultra-quiet cabin comfort, and zero tailpipe emissions for sustainable family adventures throughout New York.
Why Central New York Families Choose Matthews Kia of Clay
Backed by more than 50 years of family ownership and community dedication, Matthews Kia of Clay is committed to providing a transparent, stress-free dealership experience. Our friendly sales consultants are knowledgeable neighbors focused on listening and offering helpful guidance.
- Matthews Upfront Pricing: Real, transparent prices are clearly posted online and on every vehicle on the lot. Matthews never sells above MSRP, there are no hidden costs or surprise add-ons, and you are not required to provide personal information just to access prices.
- Matthews Rewards Plus: Earn up to 25% (up to $5,000) towards your next vehicle purchase, just by servicing your vehicle at any Matthews Auto location.
- Fresh Start Financing: Dedicated credit specialists work with local credit unions and national lenders to assist buyers across all credit situations.
- Matthews 777 Guarantee: When exploring our pre-owned inventory, enjoy our 7-Day Free Vehicle Exchange: “If you don’t love your vehicle, you can exchange it within 7 days for free!”