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Location
Accessibility
New Giraffe Pavilion event space designed with accessibility in mind
Best time
Visit during winter on milder days to enjoy fewer crowds and more active animals. The zoo has indoor viewing areas in multiple buildings, so you can warm up while exploring during colder months.
Visitor tip
Don't miss the polar bears and red pandas, which are visitor favorites. The carousel is also a highlight for families with young children.
About Henry Vilas Zoo
Free destination with global wildlife. Offering free entry, this zoo features animals from around the world, plus gifts, food & treats.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Admission
- Free daily, 9:30am–5:00pm
- Highlights
- Giraffe feeding, interactive animal encounters
- Since
- 1911
What visitors say
First this is a FREE zoo! So you can go anytime or many times anytime of the year. I like the winter time if the weather is not too cold. Fewer people and a lot of the animals are out and about. There is inside viewing too of many…
We had a wonderful time visiting Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison. We especially enjoyed seeing animals like the polar bear and the rattlesnake, which were highlights of our visit. The zoo is easy to explore and can be comfortably completed…
Great little zoo, and it's free! It's a perfect size for families and a nice way to spend a couple of hours. We especially enjoyed the polar bears, red pandas and the carousel. Parking can be a bit tight.
From 10,088 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Henry Vilas Zoo offers completely free admission daily, making it accessible to all visitors year-round without entry fees
- 50% of all membership dues are directed toward wildlife conservation efforts, creating a direct funding mechanism for conservation from membership revenue
- The zoo features interactive giraffe feeding experiences and up-close giraffe viewing in a newly constructed accessible pavilion, combined with working barn demonstrations of animal healthcare
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