Up-Close Safari Adventures: Hand-Feeding Giraffes and Exploring Animal Adventure Park in the Southern Tier
One of the greatest joys of living in upstate New York is that world-class family adventures are often just a short scenic drive away. While the Southern Tier is celebrated for quiet trout streams and forested hills, it is also home to an international wildlife sensation right in eastern Broome County. At Matthews Subaru, we know that reliable family memories begin with a dependable vehicle ready for rolling back roads, gravel safari lanes, and all the gear that comes with traveling with kids.
Family Road Trip Overview: Located in picturesque Harpursville, Animal Adventure Park and its drive-thru counterpart, The Preserve, welcome visitors to experience face-to-face wildlife interactions without traveling across the globe. From hand-feeding towering giraffes to cruising your own vehicle alongside grazing bison, this day trip offers an unforgettable educational escape for all ages.
Featured Stops Along the Harpursville Safari Corridor
Whether you spend a sunny morning feeding exotic birds or an afternoon relaxing lakeside, this regional itinerary showcases the best of rural Broome County:
1. Animal Adventure Park: Walk-Thru Zoo & Giraffe Feeding
24 Miles from Dealership • Approx. 28-Minute DriveScenic Route: Take Route 17 (Future I-86) East to Interstate 81 North, connect to Interstate 88 East toward Albany, and take Exit 5 toward Harpursville. Follow Route 79 to Martin Hill Road.
Animal Adventure Park gained worldwide fame through its viral giraffe webcams, but nothing compares to experiencing the park in person. This impeccably maintained, fully paved 20-acre zoological facility houses more than 100 species. The undisputed highlight is the Giraffe Feeding Deck, where guests can stand eye-to-eye with these gentle giants and hand-feed them browse and specialty treats.
Children can also feed friendly camels, walk through the free-flight Aussie Aviary with cups of sweet nectar for rainbow lorikeets, and view lions, snow leopards, and penguins. Visit the official Animal Adventure Park website for seasonal hours, special encounter packages, and admission details.
2. The Preserve: Self-Driven Safari Experience
Directly Across Martin Hill Road at 42 Pease RoadConvenient Access: Located just moments from the main park gates, The Preserve lets you transition seamlessly from walking paths to a driving safari.
Sister facility to Animal Adventure Park, The Preserve spans more than 100 acres of open grasslands, scrub brush, and hillside woodlands. Driving through three miles of dedicated safari trails in your personal vehicle, you will traverse expansive paddocks representing Australia, Eurasia, the Americas, and Africa.
Hundreds of free-roaming animals, including American bison, watusi cattle, emus, fallow deer, and even southern white rhinos, choose whether to approach your vehicle windows to enjoy fortified grain diets available at the gate. Check out the drive-thru rules, schedule, and combo tickets directly on The Preserve at Animal Adventure website.
3. Nathaniel Cole Park: Lakeside Relaxation & Nature Trails
6 Miles West of Zoo • 10-Minute DriveScenic Route: Follow Martin Hill Road to Colesville Road (County Road 28) heading west through the scenic rolling hills of Cole’s Hill.
After an exciting safari morning, unwind at Nathaniel Cole Park, one of the crown jewels of the Broome County park system. The park centers around a sparkling 53-acre spring-fed lake featuring the largest protected white sand beach in the county.
Families can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboats, walk the level 1.25-mile trail encircling the water, or take advantage of shaded picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Pack a family lunch to enjoy at the picnic groves before heading back toward Vestal. Discover park amenities and seasonal beach hours on the official Broome County Nathaniel Cole Park page.
Southern Tier Driving Tips: Matching Your Subaru to Safari Excursions
Tackling rural roads in Broome County and idling through the self-driven safari trail at The Preserve requires a vehicle with excellent outward visibility, dependable low-speed cooling, and spacious family seating. Here is how modern Subaru models make this trip effortless:
Subaru Ascent: Three-Row Family Safari Cruiser
With comfortable seating for up to eight passengers and 19 cup holders, the new Subaru Ascent is the ultimate family road trip vehicle. Its elevated ride height and large side windows give children in the second and third rows a front-row view of roaming safari wildlife, while tri-zone climate control keeps everyone cool during slow drive-thru trails.
Subaru Outback: Rugged All-Weather Versatility
The iconic new Subaru Outback combines 8.7 inches of ground clearance with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, easily handling gravel pull-offs and unpaved parking areas. Its wide cargo bay easily swallows heavy strollers, folding wagons, and picnic gear for an afternoon at Cole Park.
Subaru Forester: Panoramic Views for Young Explorers
Renowned for its expansive greenhouse and upright glass, the new Subaru Forester features an available panoramic moonroof that allows passengers to gaze upward at the trees and open sky. Extra-wide rear door openings make buckling toddlers into car seats fast and easy.
Subaru Crosstrek: Agile Commuter with Outdoor Spirit
For couples or smaller families planning a quick Saturday getaway, the new Subaru Crosstrek delivers outstanding fuel economy on Interstate 88 along with true off-pavement trail capability when exploring rural back roads.
Why Southern Tier Drivers Choose Matthews Subaru
At Matthews Auto, we have been a proud part of the Southern Tier community since 1973. When you visit our modern showroom at 3013 Vestal Road, you will find a team committed to transparency, long-term relationships, and upfront customer respect:
- Matthews OnePrice Policy: We eliminate the stress of negotiating. Under our Matthews OnePrice policy, our best price is clearly posted online and on the window sticker of every vehicle. There is zero haggling required, no one gets a better price than you, and we never sell above MSRP.
- No-Pressure Sales Consultants: Our sales consultants are your local neighbors. Their focus is on listening, answering your vehicle questions, and helping you pick the right model for your lifestyle without pressure.
- 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. Learn how to maximize your savings through Matthews Rewards Plus.
- Matthews 777 Guarantee: If you are shopping our pre-owned vehicle selection, you are covered by our exclusive Matthews 777 Guarantee, including our 7-Day Free Vehicle Exchange: if you don’t love your vehicle, you can exchange it within 7 days for free.
- FreshStart Financing: Our dedicated finance specialists partner with regional credit unions and national institutions to provide realistic financing plans for all credit situations through FreshStart Financing.
