The Madison zoo may be the best deal in the state. Henry Vilas Zoo is open every day and free to the public.
The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, is one of the few free zoos in the United States. Accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), the free public zoo is growing and changing, with many great exhibits in the works.
Hours: The zoo is open every day of the year from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. The animal buildings are open from 10 am to 4 pm. The Gift Shop and Concessions are open the same hours as the zoo during the warmer months. The zoo closes early (at noon) a couple days a year: Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, and 31, January 1, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Directions: The zoo is nestled between residential city streets and the arboretum. From the south take Park Street and then turn onto Haywood Drive west and then turn on N. Wingra Drive to find some parking lots. From the north or west you can take Regent Street and turn south on S. Randall Drive to reach the zoo and parking. Insider tip: There is not much parking at the zoo so unless you come when the zoo opens, expect to have to wait in line for someone to leave to get a parking spot in the lot or plan to park on the narrow residential streets and hike in. Or take public transportation.
Facilities: For a free zoo, this place has a wide variety of animals, and they are adding more all the time. There are some notable exceptions. African animals are scarce, such as giraffes, zebras and elephants. But there is much they do have, including:
- Bears: black bears, spectacled bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears. Red pandas will be arriving soon.
- Plains animals, such as the bison, prairie dog, and badger
- Kangaroos
- Ostriches
- Camels
- Lions
- Tigers
- Seals
- Penguins
- Tapirs
- Rhinos
- Capybaras
- Otters
- Primates: orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs, colobus monkeys
One of the newer areas of the zoo is the "Children's Zoo". The Conservation Carousel is already up and running. This merry-go-round is indoors and features a wide variety of animals, from an ostrich to a dolphin to a badger and more. An animal exhibit will be part of the area along with a playground based around a giant "Adventure Tree". The petting zoo with goats will be connected to this area.
The Aviary is a beautiful walk-through buliding that begins with some amphibians and reptiles before moving onto the birds. A 30-foot waterfall is featured in one of the rooms where the birds fly freely overhead.
But there is still more to see at the zoo. Stop into the Discovery Center and Herpetarium for a close-up look at frogs and other creatures. Learn about their skins and get a close-up look at a tarantula's hide. Or head back outside to see the small deer-like muntjacs and the pink flamingos.
Rules:
There is a short list of items and acitivities banned inside the zoo. The rules are:
- No smoking
- No bicycles
- No scooters
- No skateboards
- No rollerblades
- No alcoholic beverages
- No straws and lids
- No pets
Surrounding Area: As long as you are here, take some time to visit nearby attractions. Vilas Park and Vilas Beach are both adjoining the property. On the other side of Wingra Lagoon is the Arboretum, good for miles of walking and biking and exploring nature.
Henry Vilas Zoo / 702 South Randall Avenue / Madison, WI 53715 / Phone: 608-266-4732
Also see the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Or, while in Madison, enjoy the Madison Children's Museum on State Street.
