Lions roar at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The zoo is closed on New Year's Day, but will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission gates close at 3 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens age 60 and older and children ages 2 to 13, and free for children younger than 24 months. Parking is free. The zoo will be closed from Monday through Feb. 13 for improvements. Call 412-665-3640.

COUNTY

The annual Holiday Train Display at Thorn Creek United Methodist Church, 142 Rockdale Road, Jefferson Township, continues through Sunday. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Soups, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments will be available. Check thorncreekumchurch.org for cancellations due to weather.

Old Stone House will be the site of a six-course series of cooking classes beginning Jan. 10. The classes will begin with a basic foundation of how to light a fire using steel and flint, advancing through soup, breads and then move to full entrees and desserts. Cost for the course is $130. Registration is required, with class size limited to eight. The Old Stone House is at the intersection of Routes 8, 173 and 528.

Harmony Museum, 218 Mercer St., Harmony, has unveiled the Christmas season model railroad display and extended indefinitely a Flags of Freedom exhibit. From Jan. 10 to Feb. 3, the museum will host “The Civil War in Pennsylvania,” a Heinz History Center traveling exhibit as well as an expansion of the museum’s exhibit on the war’s influences in the county. Guided tours include the 1809 main museum building and wine cellar and a neighboring early 19th century house, both built by the communal Harmony Society, and a Mennonite log house. Tours are offered 1 to 4 p.m. daily except when the museum is closed Mondays and holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens age 60 and older and $3 for youths ages 6 to 17. Call 724-452-7341.

PITTSBURGH

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 700 Frank Curto Drive, continues the Winter Flower Show through Jan. 11. Daily hours are 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., plus 5 to 11 p.m. for the Winter Light Garden. Admission is $15 for adults; $14 for students and senior citizens; and $11 for children ages 2 to 18. Call 412-622-6914.

Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., has extended “Pittsburgh’s Lost Steamboat: Treasures of the Arabia” through Jan. 11. Insider exhibit tours have been added over the final two weekends. An exhibition showcasing the Heinz company also continues. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except closed New Year’s Day. History center admission is $15 for adults, $13 for senior citizens age 62 and older and $6 for students and children ages 6 to 17. Call 412-454-6000 or visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org.

Carnegie Science Center next to Heinz Field on the North Side hosts its eighth annual MessFest on New Year’s Day. MessFest features hands-on activities that are available only the first day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can experiment with slime and an egg drop and get sticky during shows as four floors of exhibits are turned into a messy playground. MessFest activities are included with general admission to the Science Center, which is $18.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3 to 12. Visitors are advised to wear clothing that can get messy. Call 412-237-3400 or visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org. The science center is usually closed during Steelers’ home games.

National Aviary, 700 Arch St., presents “Wings in Winter” daily holiday activities, festive décor and a new, musical free-flight bird show through Jan. 11. Newly hatched African penguins can be seen on www.PenguinNestCam.org. Aviary admission is $14 for adults, $13 for senior citizens age 60 and older and $12 for children ages 2 to 18; shows are extra. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closing at 3 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Call 412-323-7235 or visit www.aviary.org.

ToonSeum, Pittsburgh’s Museum of Cartoon Art at 945 Liberty Ave., presents “When Universes Collide: The Ultimate Superhero Smackdown” through Sunday. Museum hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; closed Tuesdays and major holidays, such as New Year’s Day. Admission is $8 for those older than 13 and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Senior citizens, college students, veterans and active military pay $7. Call 412-232-0199 or visit toonseum.org.

Children’s Museum, 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square, hosts the exhibit “Bounce: Inspired by the World’s Most Amazing Ball!” and through Feb. 1 the annual Tough Art exhibit. Admission is $14 for adults and $13 for children ages 2 to 18 and senior citizens. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed New Year’s Day. Call 412-322-5058 or visit www.pittsburghkids.org.