The BSR Cable Park is home to the longest lazy river in the world. Otto and Sweet Pea are Asian small-clawed otters, the smallest of the 13 otter species. All otter swim encounter tours include the full Barn Hill encounter tour and petting zoo experience prior to the swim. This Texas ranch resort lets you swim with otters in a hot tub and is a 3-hour road trip from Houston. Monica, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Emma, Joey. $280 per person + taxes and fees, Kids Swims: If you wish to get a more up-close and personal experience you can book extra animal encounters with the giraffes, kangaroo, or mini cows, bison and camel, or an adorable duo of Saint Bernard puppies. I was born in Texas but grew up in California, but I am for sure the Princess of the ranch. Our favorite snacks are strawberries and watermelon. SWIM WITH THE OTTERS now available at Capital of Texas Zoo!!! Otters are very playful creatures. May 14, 2022 You can swim with otters on Blue Hills Ranch, Texas, outside of Waco. The otters quickly became one of the resort's most popular attractions. Just 15 minutes outside of Waco Texas sits our beautiful 150 acres of. Dine and have an adventure with our tallest friends at Blue Hills Ranch. Business is booming for Waco-area animal sanctuary, Blue Hills Ranch, thanks to a viral TikTok of one of their most popular attractions- swimming with otters. Swims are limited so it remains a positive experience for them. Nurtured by Nature - California. Ranches to Experience the Great Outdoors, Take Glamping to the Next Level With These Airstream Airbnb Trailers, The 17 Best Trips Our Travel Editors Took This Year, 10 Adults-only All-inclusive Resorts Around the World. Visitors also have the chance to participate in giraffe feedings during select times throughout the week. I am Blue, the two year old giraffe born in April of 2020. The video received over 2.6 million views on TikTok. Headless Animals Repeatedly Dumped In Houston Neighborhood, Houston Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods Fight Back Against Concrete Pollution. The animal sanctuary/resort/wedding venue allows guests to swim in a heated hot tub with two otters adorably named Otto and Sweet Pea for about an hour, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Business is booming for Waco-area animal sanctuary, Blue Hills Ranch, thanks to a viral TikTok of one of their most popular attractions: swimming with otters. Its a low priority if food is scarce, but otters who are well taken care of tend to spend lots of time having fun. In the audience's saltwater pool, audience members can swim with Asian small-clawed otters. #texascheck #texas #texastravel #bluehillsranch #wacotexas #otters #ottersoftiktok. Children must have an adult in the pool with them (ticket required). Whether you like to slither with the snakes or roar with the lions, Cameron Park Zoo has it all. Located 86 miles north of Austin, the 150-acre Blue Hills Ranch Resort provides a variety of animal excursions, including swim time with two adorable Asian small-clawed otters named Otto and Sweet Pea. These highly-intelligent mammals live around rivers, canals, lakes, marshes, and bays, where they build their lives around water. 129 talking about this. We will see you before you see us. Come To Texas. We are the official "Guards" of Blue Hills Ranch. Gibbons, eagles, elephants, giraffes, black bears, orangutans, komodo dragons, and big cats are only a few of the animals you'll see at this beautiful zoo in Waco, Texas. The resort offers a special dinner with Giraffes, which lasts one hour and includes a full menu of wine, salad, charcuterie board, and dessert. They're also spoiled so they have to have that perfect temperature," Lightfoot said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Mini Donkeys. No exceptions! The otters and the kids will all have a wonderful time! Monique Welch was an engagement reporter for the Houston Chronicle. We watch over the cattle and the baby calves, and stand guard to let the other animals know if we see any possible trouble. We love to be out and about in Austin and are always looking for fun things to do with the family. 3. You've probably heard about swimming with dolphins, but what about swimming with otters? 1 of 12. At Blue Hills Ranch, located just outside of Waco, you can do just that! We help our zebras stand guard and protect our other animals from any harm, but we will also seek, Bonnie, Clyde, Monica, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Emma, Joey. A native Baltimorean and previous Tampa resident, Monique joined the Chronicle in the summer of 2021 after nearly four years at the Tampa Bay Times where she worked on all things digital, launched the newspaper's first race and identity newsletter, Regarding Race, and covered local news. The Blue Hills Ranch Resort, north of Austin, provides a variety of animal excursions including swim time with two adorable otters. "We only take your group around together, so you will not be mixed with other people and feel left out," Lightfoot said. or Come for a once in a lifetime experience. Every effort will be made to get great pictures including going over time limit if needed. We may be small but we are mighty! You can swim with otters on Blue Hills Ranch, Texas, outside of Waco. We are Asian small-clawed otters, donated in March 2020 and are as cute as can be! She and a friend sat in a small pool with Asian small-clawed otters fooling around in the water. If you're interested in swimming with Otto and Sweet Pea, you must be at least 12 years old and your group must make a reservation. The 60 minute swim time costs $200 per person. All rights reserved. The sanctuarys owner, Matt Lieberman, started the project to be able to give animals a forever home in a space thats designed for their needs. This aquatic exhibit mimics a Texas river bed, the natural habitat of these highly intelligent mammals. We loved riding around and feeding the many gorgeous cows and horses, and a camel, too. The dinner date with Giraffes starts at $400 per person. Blue Hills Ranch inside of a 150 acre Giraffe & Animal Sanctuary. Enjoy a private tour of up to 5 people for a luxury private safari only in Texas. I would recommend that anyone check out this place for a great family or group event. I was named after Tonkawa Falls in Crawford, TX. 38. The animals play with their food, slide to amuse themselves, and, yes, like to wrestle. Katharine Morris is using her environmental activism to raise awareness about public health and the local ecosystem in her neighborhood. Mr Blue Sky - Fiach Moriarty & Various Artists. Adult swim tickets will cost $280 and child swim tickets will cost $225, with children (10 to 15 years old) paying the same. You will not be able to watch others swim. Author John Green is officially invested in womans TikTok gym mystery: This is literally great American drama, Have you ever seen how cinnamon is harvested?: TikTok is shocked to learn where cinnamon actually comes from. This is a carousel. "Plus a pedestrian suspension bridge, several nice fishing and swimming holes, and pretty good." more. Perhaps thats why otters who live in zoo habitats goof off so much., Simple sidewalk chalk obstacle course is the perfect activity for bored toddlers. The animal sanctuary/resort/wedding venue allows guests to swim in a heated hot tub with two otters adorably named Otto and Sweet Pea for about an hour, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Because of this, the otters have quickly become the most popular guests at the resort. 6 Best Weekend Getaways in Texas for National Park Adventures, Luxury Resorts, and Small-town Charm, This California Destination Is the 8th Largest City in the U.S. and It's Home to Casual Beach Towns, Family Theme Parks, and Beautiful Golf Courses, 10 Family-friendly U.S. A womans gym mystery catches the attention of a famous author. You can actually swim with otters in Texas and TikTok is officially obsessed. Next, slither over to the Herpetarium and get cozy with the snakes, reptiles, and amphibians that inhabit rainforests and deserts before taking a safari across the African Savanna. Experience being a part of their playground and share in food time fun. Giraffes. There are about 50 of us at Blue Hills Ranch. We are going to be about 150 lbs each. Geneva is my big sister and we have grown up together since I was a baby. I am sometime shy but I am definitely the sweetest. The one-mile-long lazy river at BSR Cable Park is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the cool water on a sweltering summer day in Texas. ), and wedding and event venues. The Asian Forest is also home to Sumatran tigers where you can watch these big cats roam their forested habitat. We were the first two exotic animals here at the sanctuary. The guests were able to swim among two otters, Otto and Sweetpea, who loved to play-fight each other. We love our treats and want you to come say hello. The 3-year-old small-clawed otters, the smallest of the otter species, were donated by a couple from California. See more of Waco, TX Local - News Break on Facebook. My party of 5 did two otter swims, five encounter tours, and five sipping with sloths. Other Travel Brochures you may be interested in that are nearby your selection: Texas State Parks near El Paso & Big Bend, Texas State Parks near Abilene, Amarillo & Midland. We are still very shy but enjoy seeing new people. People really love it. The otters looked happy to interact with the women as they excitedly scurried around them in the pool. As of May 2021, we implemented a price increase on all of our otter swim tickets. If you scratch our belly we will roll over. We are a little shy but getting better at letting you see us. They definitely want to see you up close and personal. Chalk Ridge Falls Park. An animal guide will be there to answer questions during your hands-on wildlife experience. I am a special little brownish-red girl cow that was donated to the ranch in October 2020. With realistic plants and scenery, several swimming areas, and even a slide, these otters have every opportunity to get wet and wild. Kangaroos. Our otters enjoy meeting new people, they look forward to swimming and interacting with you. Swims will still happen in cases of rain. If you see us, we will go hide again, because you are always "it". Start your zoo journey by visiting and exploring Gibbon Island and Lemur Island. The video received over 2.6 million views on TikTok . Blue Hills Ranch is home to other animals, including mini horses, camels, zebras, bison, kangaroos, emus and mini Scottish highland cows. Otters exhibit a characteristic love of playtime. I am a city girl who has relocated to the country. I spent the entire video wondering if Im being punkd or not, People are willing to wait a very, very long time for their famous Dirty Soda., I got locked on my roof and nobodys available to come help me out. Blue Hills Is trying to help with the repopulation of Oryx into the wild. We are called British Whites, better known as the Mickey Mouse cows. Come swim and play with our Asian Small-clawed Otter water sausages, Otto and Sweet Pea, in their private hot tub! We came to the ranch November of 2021. Mini donkeys will come right up to your back porch! Take a ride with us and see all our animal families, including our free-roaming cows, deer, emus and more. An excellent non-profit organization that is sure to inspire and provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime . The otters looked happy to interact with the women as they excitedly scurried around them in the pool. Continue your travels through the Asian Forest, where the habitat replicates the abandoned Angkor Wat temple inhabited by orangutans and komodo dragons. The swim with otters have become popular on social media, and the Ranchs Instagram shows adorable videos of the otters interacting with staff and guests.If swimming with otters isnt quite your speed, the resort has other unique animal experiences. Log In. Spanning 150 acres in McGregor, Texas, Blue Hills is an animal sanctuary that doubles as a cabin/RV resort and wedding venue. based upon weather conditions and safety of giraffes). The otter swim is an amazing event. Otters We are Asian small-clawed otters, donated in March 2020 and are as cute as can be! Giraffes maybe separatedfor safety during spring and summer time. I am still trying to figure out my long legs, but you can find me dancing around with my sidekick, Oreo. Another popular place to swim in Waco is the BSR Cable Park. Come and watch our swimming skills while we eat our favorite treat - fish popsicles! Experience being a part of their playground and share in food time fun. I am the newest mini cow, and I am a Belted Galloway. Kids will never say no to a playscape, and the Cameron Park Playscape is pretty large. 2. Come swim and play with our Asian Small-clawed Otter water sausages, Otto and Sweet Pea, in their private hot tub! I am Google, the 1 year old giraffe who follows in Blue's footsteps, learning all about Blue Hills Ranch. According toHow Stuff Works, Playtime ranks at the bottom of adult otters priorities, and the mustelids must ensure that theyve satisfied their basic necessities of nutrition and shelter first. They can be seen from multiple perspectives, whether performing their graceful underwater maneuvers or just napping in the sun after a long swim. Monique holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Media Studies from Goucher College. The final portion of the experience is a one-of-a-kind chance to swim alongside Asian small-clawed otters in our climate-controlled saltwater pool! Blue Hills Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary in McGregor, TX features 150 acres of beautiful land with rolling hills, ponds, and endless sunset views where a wide variety of animals roam freely. No exceptions! What is the song 'car dragon' on TikTok and where did it come from? Log In. When youre ready to book your visit, check out www.bluehillsranch.com! We play with everyone and loveeee treats. If swimming with otters isn't your thing; they offer other services there including: Renting out cabins so you can have a getaway for a weekend Dining with the giraffes The Safari Ranch where people can see the other animals there like kangaroos, donkeys, emus & cows You can even plan your wedding there if you want. With this increase, we will also be decreasing the number of otter swim experiences sold each year. The ranch offers accommodations in two side-by-side cabins one with a zebra theme and one with giraffe decor. We use a state-of-the-art saltwater pool system that is temperature-controlled for both guest's and the otter's comfort level no matter the time of year. I am blind and needed a good forever home. We all enjoyed our time. Of course a big thanks to all the animals. Travel blogger @readysetjetset stopped by Blue Hills Ranch, a 150-acre giraffe and animal . You can book a private safari tour to meet the animals, or opt for extra special encounters like bottle-feeding young giraffes or swimming with otters. You'll feel as though you've. Adult Swims: $280 per person + taxes and fees Kids Swims: $225 per person + taxes and fees (Ages 10-15 years) Book Tickets Hear From Satisfied Guests This was a great place to visit. Blue Hills Ranch is approximately 20 miles from Waco and offers a unique safari getaway where visitors can swim with otters, feed giraffes, observe donkeys and zebras and more. Come spend 20 minutes swimming and interacting with our baby otters, Kumo and Okami, The world's smartest baby otters! We do not have an observation deck for bystanders to view otter swims, those wanting to participate must purchase a ticket to access the pool. One-night stays are priced at $229 for an adult couple - with cleaning, service, occupancy taxes and fees the price comes out to $310. The guests were able to swim among two otters, Otto and Sweetpea, who loved to play-fight each other. Be Bound By, Weird & Wonderful Places to Stay in Texas, Your Austin To-Do List: Best May Family Events, Where to Rent Kayaks, Canoes & SUPs on Lady Bird Lake, The Best Family-Friendly Breweries Around Austin, Summertime Green: Great Spots for Teens to Work in Austin. The Barn Hill Preserve is one of only a few zoos in the United States that allows otter swims. We are the newest puppies to the mix at the ranch. The otters prefer to swim warm waters, so Blue Hills maintains temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees in its hot tub, depending on the day. In cases of inclement weather, tickets may be rescheduled. See more of Waco, TX Local - News Break on Facebook. You certainly dont have to book an overnight to have a wonderful experience at Blue Hills Ranch. They weigh no more than eight to 10 pounds and measure up to two feet in length.