We checked out dozens, if not hundreds, of land animals so we had to visit the water-loving friends at Indianapolis Zoo. Some of them also like ice and snow. I'll get to that in a second.

Since I have always loved aquariums, it was great to see Nemo up close. Plus, I got to touch sharks as they swam by in a giant enclosure.

You really can spend the entire day at the zoo. Bring some good walking shoes because there is a lot to see and do.

The zoo also has meeting rooms and facilities for private functions. One lucky little girl was having a birthday party when we visited. I wasn't invited in for cake despite my attempts but she seemed like she was having a good time.

It wasn't just the sharks I got to touch. I was asked, "Have you ever been up close with a penguin?" I had not, actually. So the crew at Indy Zoo took it one step further during our visit. I got to go behind the scenes and do some crafting with a couple penguins. Though camera shy at times, the unnamed male and female (they are known by numbers at the zoo), strolled along the canvas to create a really cool painting. This is one of the many artsy encounters visitors to the zoo can explore. And I have to say, it was pretty damn cool.