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Option C - go for right when it opens, eat lunch there, but then torture her to keep her awake on the way home so that she naps at home My toddler wakes up the second the car stops moving so car naps usually suck for us!

We go to the zoo a lot with a similar schedule dilemma. We go in the morning, pack a lunch (more like an assortment of snacks, usually), stay at the zoo until 12:30 or 1, let him fall asleep in the car on the way home, and then transfer him to his bed.

Depending on the weather another pro might be that it's cooler in the morning - more pleasant for walking around.

Are we talking weekday or weekend? I was just at our zoo on Monday and it was dead now that school has started. So, for a weekday, I'd go in the afternoon. But weekends are a different story and I would go first thing to try to avoid crowds. I love zoos, so I would probably go in the morning, eat lunch, and then try to get him to sleep in his stroller, so we could hang out at the zoo longer.

I refuse to go places like that in the mid-late afternoon! I agree to be there right when it opens and take/do lunch there. A 2hr outing with a little one (and preg too!) will be long enough for sure

I also agree with @winniebee: to try to do everything you can to stave off the nap until you get home!

@T.H.O.U.: True, mine can push nap until 1:30/2:00 when we are doing something "fun"

I say get there right when they open and bring her lunch. Also if she naps in car stretch her until 1-1:30 if you can to get in some good time! Mine will stay up to 2 if out and about!

I would get nervous if I went from 2-5 thinking it might make her tired enough to nap again on the way home and that messes with bedtime.....I don't take that risk...lol

Definitely AM! They usually feed the animals in the morning at the zoo we go to so that's a plus. Also, you risk your toddler falling asleep in the car on the way home if you go in the afternoon. Pre-dinner naps are the worst.