Henry Vilas Zoo, Wisconsin, United States
4.5 (1.686 reviews) Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #11 in Madison Zoos
Family zoo time
Truly a wild place to hang out! We are an admission-free, AZA-accredited zoo located next to Vilas Park in downtown Madison with a mission to conserve and protect the wonders of the natural world. Sign up for a Behind the Scenes tour, let us host your next birthday party, or just come by and learn more about our animals. With over 100 species, including polar bears, Aldabra tortoises, and African lions, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about your favorite animals!
Address
702 S Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715-1665
Mobile
Website
http://www.henryvilaszoo.gov
Working hours
Monday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday : 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 1:44
User Ratings
4.5 based on (1.686 reviews)
Reviews
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5Taylor B 5:00 PM Jan 10, 2023
One of only 10 free zoos in North America
Founded in 1911, the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, is one of only 10 remaining free admission zoos in the North America. The 28-acre property, which attracts over 750,000 visitors annually, lies within a park situated on land donated to the city by William and Anna Vilas under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground." It was named in honor of their son, Henry, who died at a young age from complications related to diabetes. The family stipulated that the park always be admission free. The zoo houses amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals and reptiles from several continents, including polar bears, badgers and capybaras. One of the most popular exhibits is the Arctic Passage, which opened in 2015. It includes a restaurant and enclosures for seals, grizzly bears and polar bears. Have you ever seen a grizzly bear up close and personal?
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4ishmael28 5:00 PM Sep 5, 2022
Very cute, small (free!) zoo
This is a very cute, small, free zoo. The animals seem happy and engaged here. The polar bears were the most active I've seen. Last time I saw polar bears was at the Lousiville zoo, and they looked miserable. These two were playing and play-fighting, and splashing, and making small roaring noises - it was really fun to see that. The otters had a large enclosure with plenty of room to play. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. Parking isn't plentiful and is timed (2 hours I think), so if you're just visiting the area, an Uber seems the best way to go. There's a geology museum and art museum at a campus nearby, so you could make a day out of the three attractions. The playground was also roped off while we were there, which my son was very upset by.
