Zoos

Petting Zoo

★★★★★ 5 (5 reviews)

📍 Fairbanks, AK 99709

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About Petting Zoo

Petting Zoo is a zoo in Fairbanks, AK. The museum is housed in an actual boxcar, making it a unique physical manifestation of the Boxcar Children book series it celebrates. Rated 5 out of 5 stars by 5 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Petting Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Feed and interact with goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pig, and turkey
Setting: Outdoor animal interaction experience

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum is housed in an actual boxcar, making it a unique physical manifestation of the Boxcar Children book series it celebrates
🏛️Gertrude Chandler Warner, author of the Boxcar Children books, lived down the street from the museum and taught at a school just one block away, making this a site deeply connected to the author's personal history
⭐The museum features interactive exhibits based on Gertrude Warner's teaching methods, including imaginary play experiences that demonstrate she was ahead of her time in educational pedagogy
⭐The museum staff offers flexible accessibility by opening on alternative days if needed to accommodate visitors who cannot visit during regular hours
🏛️The museum includes a dedicated section with historic photographs and materials documenting the 1955 Flood, serving as a local history resource beyond the author exhibits

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Engage with the knowledgeable volunteer staff to learn about Gertrude Chandler Warner's innovative teaching methods and local history—they provide personalized context that enriches the experience beyond the exhibits themselves.
💬Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring this compact boxcar museum; despite its small size, it contains substantial content across multiple sections including the author's desk, interactive naturalist displays, and hands-on activities.
💡Bring children for the interactive scavenger hunt, puzzles, dollhouse, and craft activities designed around Gertrude Warner's imaginative teaching philosophy—these hands-on elements are specifically highlighted by visitors as standout features.
💡If your preferred visiting time doesn't align with regular hours, contact the museum directly—staff have demonstrated willingness to accommodate visitors by opening on alternative days.
💡Visit the historic photograph section and 1955 Flood materials to learn about Putnam's local history; the museum's location near where the author lived and taught adds meaningful context to these exhibits.