Hollywild is a nonprofit zoo located in Innman, SC that is known for providing a permanent home for retired “hollywood” animals. For years I have heard of this place and could not wait to take my niece, Sunshine. Well low and behold they actually open during the months of November and December at night with a drive-thru light display. The best part is that it ends by throwing you out into this field to feed the animals. Y’all, my friends did not fully prepare me for this experience. When they said you drive through the park and feed the animals I fully expected that the animals would be enclosed, maybe walk up to you from behind a fence. NOPE. They are just walking around in this large field which you drive round and round in and they come right up to your car window for you to feed them, with feed that is provided to you for a small fee when you enter the park. Seriously, you MUST GO!! We celebrated Christmas with my sister at her home in Chapin, SC and then jumped in the car and drove the hour and a half directly to the animal park. Put on your comfy clothes, dress the kids in their PJ’s fill the car with snacks (although you might not want to consume too many beverages before you arrive because you can’t get out of the car once you are in line) and head on up the road. https://www.hollywild.org/

There will be long lines of cars at the gate, so get there early to secure an early entry. I understand that the animals get full later at night and aren’t as interested in visiting your car. They only allow so many cars in at a time so pack your patience and use the restroom when you get off of the interstate as there’s not much between there and the gate. Once you enter through the gate you will drive through beautiful light displays following other cars, so there’s no opportunity to stop until the end. This and some Christmas tunes will keep you entertained until you get to the main attraction. Don’t get me wrong, the lights are great but once you see the animals at the end of the drive you will completely forget about all of those twinkling lights.

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We packed our car full with 6 adults and 1 child so my sister and I were crammed in the rear. I say this to ask your forgiveness for the quality of the photographs that I am including. I was doing the best I could through the window that doesn’t open in the rear. Some of the pictures are hilarious with animal faces sticking through our windows. I cannot wait to go back so that I can sit in the front seat next time. haha. When that happens I promise a new post with better pictures. My niece was in heaven as she crawled from one adults lap to the next in order to get the best view and potential for feeding an animal. Seriously, it’s a bit overwhelming with these HUGE animals coming right up to your window and sticking their massive icky sticky tongues in your face. Definitely take some wet wipes and hand sanitizer to clean up before you enjoy snacks on the way home.

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Holiday tours are November – December and you will need to purchase tickets and make a reservation in advance. Plan to pay for feed, provided by the animal park when you arrive as well. Check their website for the most up to date information on the Holiday Tours. This is another one of those events that works for all ages. The adults in our car were just as excited as the kid. Moorry Christmas.

Oh YEAH, and you might want to also plan to take your car by a car wash on the way home or the next day, our windows were covered in animal slobber. tee, hee.