I have such wonderful memories of the Oregon Zoo. We would go frequently when I was a child and though I didn’t realize it at the time, I now see how thoroughly spoiled I was by it.

Unlike many zoos I’ve been to since, the Oregon Zoo has been designed to give the animals beautiful habitats. Not that the animals care, I’m sure, but it makes me feel better seeing the little penguins zip and slide around “glaciers”, or the lions lounging in their own little desert, chomping their steak dinners.

The surrounding Washington park is also lovely – green, fresh and potentially very romantic.