Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, WI Reviews

This is a FREE zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.  It's very clean and well kept. They have a great variety of animals including: lions, giraffs, bears, rhinos, an ostrich, flamingos...

My children love this zoo.  There is tons of room for them to explore and a lot of room for strollers etc., but it's not so big that they can't make it all the way through in a couple hours.  They have food but you can also bring in your own food if you wanted to do a picnic etc.  They are also building a playground right inside the zoo, but there is also a nice park just outside the entrance of the zoo if your kids...

We live exactly halfway between Henry Vilas Zoo, and The Milwaukee Zoo.  When we want to go ro a zoo, we almost always pick Henry Vilas.  Of course being Free helps lot, but also, it's not so big that the kids get tired and crabby but big enough to have TONS of animals with great enclosures and viewing areas.  We love the park like atmosphere in and around the zoo and the fact that it's close to downtown and other attractions in Madison is a plus too.  Come see it, and you'll fall in love too.

his zoo is the perfect size for a most zoo trips.  We like the free aspect so we can just go for an hour or so whenever and it is no big deal.  The kids can run around and if we happen to see an animal all the better.  I am also looking forward to all changes and improvements they are making.  They don't have enough space to ever have elephants but we like the giraffes and are glad they are back.  Parking has never been a big problem for us but we also try to stay away on the busy days.

Henry Vilas Zoo is a really nice, small zoo.  My kids really enjoy going there.  I believe that it is still free to go, but a donation to the zoo always helps the animals.  You can see the animals close up.  It is also a nice zoo for a company picnic if you are in the area.  I know that my kids really enjoy the ape/monkey display.  You can get really close to them (behind the glass).  It is really easy to see the animals.