Silly me. I’ve come to the Granby Zoo in Quebec’s Eastern Townships without wearing proper camel riding attire.

The thought hits as I thrust leg over humpty-backed beast and slide into saddle while the little Banana Republic number I’m wearing rises dangerously. I yank down the dress, try not to touch the camel too tightly on its flanks (bad), settle my five-year-old (good) in the seat ahead of me, and smile.

It’s not every day you get to ride a camel, even if you have to show a little leg to do it. And for just $4 a pop, my wee three have been sent directly to animal-loving heaven.

Yes, a visit to the Granby Zoo is proving a good choice indeed.

Just an hour from Montreal, and a major Quebec tourist attraction since 1953, the nearly 90-acre zoo welcomes more than a half-million visitors each year.

Complete Package

What’s the draw to Granby Zoo?

I’d poll the kids in the back of my van if I could hear beyond the screaming. “We’re really close!” they cried, spying lions, tigers, and bears on billboards, even a tiger carved into a small flowered hill as we neared our destination.

Hélène Bienvenue offers a better explanation: Granby offers so much to do.

“It’s a mix of the zoo, the amusement park and the Amazoo Yoplait water park all at one site,” says the zoo’s communications advisor. “For families, it’s very fun.”

When we arrive on a Wednesday in August, the parking lot is full. We’re directed to an auxiliary lot at a nearby department store where a zoo-operated bus picks up passengers and transports them directly to the doors.

Everyone at the zoo is so apologetic, but I don’t mind in the least getting dropped at the door. A staffer gives each of us a $5 coupon off boutique or concession stand purchases to make up for the inconvenience.

Later, thrilled and tired after hours at the onsite Amazoo Yoplait Water Park, we redeem our coupon to score five free soft ice creams and ‘zee-bee”—a much-loved yakking plastic zebra.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears

“Do you want to see lions?” Vanessa, a zoo staffer, asks my lion-crazy seven-year-old. Does a bear like to eat berries? Heck, yes.

We’re standing at the zoo’s centre, a village which contains restaurants, shops and three main pathways—leading to the animals of Africa, South America and Asia. As children visit each “country” in these continents they receive an animal stamp on their “passport.”

For lions, we go to Africa—the zoo’s most popular section.

A costumed character stops the kids, scans the passports, and asks some questions.

“What’s your name?”

“How old are you?”

“Do you have any guns?”

He takes one look at my youngest. “Maybe,” he writes.

As we wander the path, my middle kid asks if the rhino and zebra she sees up ahead live together?

“In nature they live together, that’s exactly what they they’re doing,” replies a staff member.

Natural settings are important here. When the zoo rebuilt its African section in 2007, it took pains to choose nature that resembled Africa.

“We wanted the visitors in Africa to believe, so that they can’t imagine they are in town in Granby,” says Vanessa. “When they visit, it will be an adventure.”

Granby Zoo offers over 1,000 different animals, grouped into 200 species. Zookeepers offer themed presentations daily.

Visitors can also take advantage of special packages like overnight visits to sleep in a hut and experience the zoo’s nocturnal life.

Don’t Forget Your Bathing Suit

The Amazoo Yoplait Water Park has been delighting visitors for 10 years with lagoons, rides and wave pools.

Perhaps my family’s favorite moment came tubing down the lazy river—our word for the Cunucunoma River, trying to steer into waterfalls and through bubbling "piranha" water.

One of the newest attractions is the storm god Hurakan. In South American mythology, Hurakan is the god of wind, storms and fire, who “gets mad” and creates a big storm in his wave pool.

Here in the park, when the storm god’s eyes change colour, look out.

Fire shoots from serpent heads on either side of his head, rain pelts your face, waves hit you sideways, it’s hard to see, and for a few minutes you really think you’re in the eye of the storm. So fun.

But don’t take my word for it. Ask my seven-year-old.

“That was so awesome!”

A two-day admission package for a family of four goes for $139, while a one-day family pass is $99. The two-day passes are popular, and it's no wonder. As a zoo, water park, and amusement park, it really takes two days to do Granby Zoo justice.