A free, community-focused zoo featuring a variety of animals, a carousel, and a train.
702 S Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715, USA
A great free option with indoor exhibits for colder weather. Some find the enclosures small, but kids generally love it.
“Zoo. Its gold. You can spend hours there. Parts are indoors, so it’s good even now.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 39 upvotes
Go first thing in the morning to avoid parking issues and crowds. Great for meeting other parents.
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 32 upvotes
Give your child a few $1 bills to donate to the animal exhibit boxes; it's a great way to make them feel involved and proud.
“I gave her five $1 bills to donate to the boxes salted around the zoo.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 25 upvotes
Admission to the zoo is free.
“Olbrich and the zoo are free”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 19 upvotes
Good for rainy days; animals are often more active and there are indoor buildings to duck into.
“The zoo is actually decent when it's rainy so long as you have umbrellas”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 10 upvotes
Uses shredded tire base; be aware of potential chemical leaching if your child puts materials in their mouth.
“There are parks with shredded tires (Vilas Park, Oneida) but those have been found to be carcinogenic”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 9 upvotes
The zoo is free to enter.
“The zoo is free”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 9 upvotes
Great for parties, and you are allowed to bring your own picnic food. Note: May weather can be unpredictable.
“The zoo is also really fun, and you can bring in your own picnic foods.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 5 upvotes
The zoo offers summer camps that extend into August when many other programs have finished.
“I would check MSCR and The Henry Vilas Zoo for camps in August.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 5 upvotes
Best for warmer weather. You can use picnic areas or rent a shelter; there is a new outdoor party space near the flamingos.
“There is a reserved outdoor party space/tent behind the new building with restrooms, adjacent to the flamingo habitat.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 3 upvotes
Some local parents boycott the zoo due to concerns regarding management and animal welfare.
“continuing my boycott. It's a nice zoo but I can't support it.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 2 upvotes
Surrounds the zoo and offers multiple playgrounds for post-zoo energy release.
“Vilas Park surrounds the zoo and has a couple playgrounds.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 98 upvotes
Free admission and a great way to spend time with a toddler.
“Henry Vilas Zoo is a pretty great way to spend time with a toddler. It’s free, too.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 5 upvotes
Offers Stroller Safari sessions for preschoolers at a low cost of $5 per session.
“Stroller Safari through Henry Vilas Zoo”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 3 upvotes
Free admission and a great place for a walk with a baby.
“For animal viewing the zoo downtown is free”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 3 upvotes
The zoo offers specific programming for toddlers.
“the zoo both have toddler programs!”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 2 upvotes
Check out the playground located inside the zoo.
“Best playground? Inside the zoo?”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 1 upvotes
Some visitors express concerns about animal welfare and signs of stress in the animals.
“observe animals suffering from zoochosis. It breaks my heart.”
Overheard on r/madisonwi · 1 upvotes
KinClub Family Activities is one doorway into KinClub — the intergenerational home built by a family, for families. Keep exploring the rest.
