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Thousands of animals live at Cameron Park Zoo. It’s a large facility for a city the size of Waco. The zoo has more than 2,000 animals that live on 56 acres.

“We house about 14 different species, survival plan animals that are critically endangered,” Cameron Park Zoo Curator Terri Cox said.

Their animals include Sumatran tigers, which have even produced new additions to the family.

Diana Sportman and her family made the trip from Round Rock Friday.

"This is our second of third visit here, but our first visit, we were very surprised by how nice it was," Sportman said. "I really enjoy walking around and looking at all the animals. The orangutans are really neat to see and the tigers.”

Families also see training going on at the zoo.

"If we can develop a mutual relationship of respect and trust with our animals, we can better care for them," Cox said.

The Sportmans say the zoo is the perfect place to go for a family trip.

"It's usually not crowded. It's quiet, It's peaceful. You can usually do it in an afternoon or a morning and it doesn't take the whole day. And it's fairly close to anywhere in Central Texas."

The new three-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs are scheduled to go on exhibit in the next few weeks.

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Longhorn Caverns offers guided tours every day of the week. The walking tour covers about one-and-a-quarter miles, during which visitors can explore the caverns and view the Stalactite, Stalagmite and other natural formations.

"We have two -- one really large room, called the Indian Council Room, that the Comanches used. Further down into the cavern is a room we call the 'Hall of Marble' because it looks like polished marble," tour guide Anson Hahn said.

The cavern is also home to some Eastern Pipistrelle bats, who might make an appearance during your tour.

"Sometimes you get to see one or two on the tour, which is really neat. The kids love them," Hahn said.

Michelle Devaney, manager of Longhorn Caverns, says the site just completed installation of hundreds of lights in the cave to feature the stunning formations. The Caverns will be having a grand opening next week to showcase the new installation.

Admission for the walking tour is $12.99 for adults and $7.99 for kids. For more information on the caverns, visit their website at LonghornCaverns.com.

Be sure to tune in all week for more of our “Getaway: Not Far Away” series.

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Established in 1984 by Gary Friedel, the Topsey Exotic Ranch is home to more than 50 species of wildlife.

“We’ve got the camels, buffalo, Watusi zebras, baby zebras. I’ve got ostriches over there, emus, donkeys, ponies, monkeys, bears. I mean, big cats, little cats, all different kinds of stuff. Too long of a list to name,” Friedel said.

Visitors are reminded to stay in their cars and not to feed the animals, but you can roll down your windows and let the animals come right up to your vehicle. The safari makes for a fun and affordable family experience.

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Kids 2 and under receive free admission, and guests are encouraged to take as long as they please to tour the park.

Visit TopseyExoticRanch.com for more information on this safari experience.

Be sure to tune in all week for more of our “Getaway: Not Far Away” series.

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The nature preserve has been around for thousands of years. It’s even a place where cliff swallows choose to spend a lot of time. The little birds are nesting above the pool, and that has swimming temporarily off limits.

Park Supervisor Michael Brewster explains the pool could reopen as soon as Wednesday.

"This time of year, there's about a one-month window when cliff swallows nest above the pool. They can pollute the pool themselves without a rain shower, and that's what we're experiencing right now. There's no swimming today, but we are testing the water today. We may open up as early as Wednesday," Brewster said.

Other than swimming, everything else at the preserve is open. You can hike a quarter of a mile down to the pool or take another trail to the Pedernales River, where you can also swim. Admission is $10 per vehicle.

Be sure to tune in all week for more of our “Getaway: Not Far Away” series. Tuesday, Bonnie Gonzalez will head to Copperas Cove to uncover more gems around central Texas.

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