Henry Vilas Zoo
4.7(9,369)4.7 out of 5 stars, 9369 reviews Madison, WI
About Henry Vilas Zoo
Henry Vilas Zoo offers a unique, free family experience with a strong focus on animal care and conservation, making it an ideal destination for families looking to educate and entertain their children without financial burden.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for an affordable day outEducational field trips for childrenCasual weekend outings with kidsToddlers: Enjoy petting zoo and interactive experiencesSchool-age children: Educational opportunities and animal encounters
Why families love it
- Free admission and free parking
- Well-cared-for animals with clean exhibits
- Interactive goat petting zoo for children
- AZA accreditation ensuring high standards of animal care
- Variety of animals including lions, tigers, and orangutans
- Free entry and parking
Insider tips
- Visit in late spring for the best animal visibility and fewer closed exhibits
- Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and see animals more active
- Consider making a donation to support the zoo's operations
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak hours on weekends if you prefer a quieter experience
- Cold winter months when some animals may be in their 'winter homes'
- Some animal enclosures, like the orangutan's, may feel small
- Certain exhibits may be closed during colder months
- Crowds
- Less crowded on weekday mornings, especially Thursdays
- Value
- Admission is free, with the expectation of donations to maintain the zoo. This offers significant value compared to other paid attractions, with no hidden costs.
- Food
- No specific food and drink rules mentioned, but it is advisable to check for any restrictions on outside food
- Safety
- Staff actively informs visitors about animal availability to avoid disappointment
What parents say
"I was absolutely impressed by the animals, their health, how cleanly the exhibits were, and the option the zoo gives their larger animals to be on exhibit or off. The different vantage points on larger exhibits is very much appreciated. It took us around 2hrs to walk through and see all the animals (with no little ones). The staff was very good at putting up notices when an animal was specifically not in an exhibit, so you did not spend time looking for something that wasn't there. This is a FREE zoo to visit! Please donate to help keep the zoo free for everyone to enjoy! Every bit counts. T"
3 weeks ago
"Absolutely wonderful experience! Animals were really well cared for and enclosures were appropriate and clean. The orangutan enclosure was the only one I though was a little small as they need a ridiculous amount of open space, but it was cold when when I came so they may have access to an outdoor enclosure. Zookeepers were awesome and friendly. I'm very impressed, especially considering admission was free. They are AZA accredited as well so you can trust that hold themselves to a good standard of care. I would probably recommend coming in the later spring as some exhibits were closed when I c"
a month ago
"This was such a fun zoo! I can’t believe it’s free with how much there is to see and learn. Even early morning on a Thursday while some animals were still sleeping it was nice to see them and learn about them. They seem well taken care of, with a focus on conservation and high quality care, and even some were at their “winter home” for the season which I’ve never seen before! The gift shop was priced well, especially since entry of the zoo was free!"
3 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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