Henry Vilas Zoo Reviews

We visited on a Sunday and couldn't find parking as there was an event going on. Try the street parking nearby in such cases.
Zoo is free with plenty of animals. There is a children's zoo with train ride and carousel costing $2 per person. No eateries were open so we didn't eat inside. It's a small zoo so won't take up much of your time. We loved the African penguins.

What a lovely place to visit all seasons, but we chose to walk briskly on a cool, breezy winter afternoon. Not too many animals were out, but we did see a beautiful tiger and heard a lion roar. A camel and sandhill crane also were enjoying the cold and snow. The inside displays were lovely and the habitats for the animals are well-done. The zoo is free admission, easy parking, great walkways, and seems like a wonderful place to come back to in any season.

Henry Vilas Zoo has always been a free Zoo, "No Entrance Fee's" make it awesome for small and large family's. The Henry Vilas Zoo is updating exhibits all the time with many improvements over the years, my family goes there many times during the year. We even have our company picnic at the Zoo.
Your donations help to keep the Zoo free.

A great place for a family outing. Lots of great animals to see but small enough to be walkable for those with small children. Nice to have the carousel.

My besties were down for the weekend, and Kristi was all about the zoo.
While I have lived and work on Madison, and drive by the Zoo routinely, I’ve only been there a hand full of times.
The Zoo shamed me on this trip. I knew about very little of the improvements over the past 10 years and the exhibits were amazing, the polar bear exhibit and repurposed snow crawler, the avian sanctuary, the see thru portals (Well walls actually) in the pools.
It was like I was a kid again, experiencing it for the first time, 3 adults almost 4 hours. (We did not buy at the confessions stands a bit steep for me, but with the inflation these days - what can you do).

Great time and a lot of learning!

I’ve been to many zoos, and yet this zoo had some animals I hadn’t seen before, including American badgers. Wide variety of animals: surprised that a small zoo has a polar bear. The lemurs were highly playful and very enjoyable to watch. Gift shop has a nice selection of well-priced and attractive shirts and sweatshirts. I suggest the gift shop would do well to offer more badger items to this spirited college town. Such a treat that the zoo is free; was happy to make donation to this neighborhood treasure. Free parking was appreciated. See it for yourself!

This is the worst zoo o have ever been too they were all rude and hateful workers! It was free and still not even worth the gas it took to get here! I would never recommend this zoo!

We love going to this zoo, especially because it's free so you can spend just an hour if you want and not feel like you wasted your admission. We went while it was lightly raining, which was wonderful because the zoo was nearly empty (of people) so we could see all the animal exhibits without feeling like we were standing in any child's way. Don't miss the new Bucky Badger exhibit! Also, I could watch the prairie dogs for hours, they are so scrappy and feisty.

it is a great "free" zoo. It is not extremely large but the grandchildren enjoyed it. Parking was a challenge.

This is a true hidden gem. The zoo is free so any donation is appreciated. We went two times in the week we were there. The animals were active on the first trip/ The second time several of the cages were being cleaned so we didn't get to see as many. Still a great place!

First of all, it’s free to visit. The exhibits are well made and for the animals, not for us, so sometimes hard to see them. Great place to take the kids, grandkids, the whole family.

Very nice small zoo located just outside of Madison. Went on a very hot day so the animals where not as active but there was lots of shady spots to sit around the zoo. A few options for food and was better than expected for a free zoo.

First off I really love that this zoo is free! Really nice walking zoo with plenty of trees and shade. Good variety of animals to see. We went in early morning and most were outside their cages and active which is always awesome to see! My kids are older but they have an amazing looking jungle gym for littles. Even right outside the zoo there is this little lake and green space for picnics and fun. Really lovely area of Madison.

We met my son and his family here for Halloween at the zoo. It was packed! However, I was very impressed with all the animals they had. Can't wait to go back when it's less crowded!

It Is a small zoo but has plenty animals, carrousel, train, playground, feed the goats and is free lol we go there all the time and I like to eat there as a contribution, you can have a lunch right next to the bears that is awesome... I recommend

This zoo had so many exhibits. What stood out is they had more monkey exhibits than any other zoo we have been too. The animals were very accessible and close up. These animals seemed very happy because they were more active than most zoos we have been to, great place to burn 2-4 hours.

Second time we've been to the zoo. Coming from the UK to visit family, we find this a great little zoo, just big enough to keep the kids entertained for about an hour. There are plenty of animals for them to see. Our son, his wife and kids come regularly - we can see why and being free is a bonus. We should all leave a donation to keep this attraction going for years to come. Well worth a visit. Thanks

Recently remodeled and freshened up, this is a great outing for families with small children. Free! So, you don't feel like you have to "get your money's worth" if somebody has a meltdown or gets tired. You can bring your own picnic; there's a nice covered eating area. But, they sell snacks and food, too. Nice play area, petting zoo and merry-go-round (small fee). Only issue can be parking - free but fills up.

Very fun and easy access. Free entry, lots of animals to see. Accessible via bike trail!
Good place for kids to visit and enjoy the animals

So happy to return to the zoo I brought our children to when they were little and now they are bringing their own children. There are so many animals at this wonderful place. It's free but a donation is always welcome.

The Vilas zoo is worth checking out. Friendly staff, great exhibits, and since it's not an enormous zoo, you can make your way through the whole thing in about 60-90 minutes.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is a great free zoo. There are enough animals to keep you entertained and it is not large. There are barks and a lake near by as well.

Henry Vilas Zoo is a hidden gem. There are so many wonderful exhibits from the artic to the "Big Cats" exhibits. There's lots to see, and there's reasonable concessions. WEll worth the trip.

Free zoo! (Don't forget to donate, it costs money to run a zoo) They have cool little places to eat, a kids zone, and just a fun little place to spend a few hours. Parking is free but you can only park for up to 3 hours I believe it was.

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.

This is a great place for the family. Kids love it and there are just enough animals to keep it fun without spending a long time there. The Homosapien exhibit is awesome. They run around without any fences and generally don't harass the other animals. Some of them have tattoos and piercings others have their babies with them. Truly an eclectic experience. One you would only find in Madison.

If you have time to enjoy wild animal's in such a Great setting. All kids of all ages will enjoy a short walk with the animals.

This is smaller zoo not at we terrible amount of walking but has everything your looking for in a zoo. We went with our 18 month old and we felt so safe because there weren't a million people. The animals were great all very active swimming, playing and eating.

This little zoo was darling! There were a wide variety of animals and cute little places to eat. The enclosures were clean and well kept. While they were a bit small, it was obvious that the animals were well cared for.

This is a wonderful place for humans of all ages! There is no admission charged, so be as generous as possible when you see the donation boxes, to keep the animals fed & healthy and the zoo operating for all to enjoy!

This is a great, free zoo that is just the right size to take your kids and it has plenty of shade. Most of the zoos we've gone to have no cover whatsoever so it was nice that over half this zoo was shaded.

Vilas Zoo isn't going to impress anyone who has seen a big, impressively funded zoo like San Diego or Omaha or Chicago, but it's well-kept and curated for a zoo with no admission fee.

Nice regional zoo, with a good variety of animals. On the smaller side, but the free admission and charming park surrounding it make up for that. Definitely worth checking out if you have some time in the Madison area.

The zoo has made several adjustments for the COVID - 19 virus situation. None of the indoor exhibits are open. Face masks are required even though you are outside the whole time. Social distancing is also recommend but not followed by all guests.
At the bear exhibit, which is a small, enclosed area, families were bunched together. We waited for them to clear out, and while we were waiting at the appropriate distance, other families just walked in ahead of us. People who were there without kids were even worse.
They should have docents, or staff members at the busy exhibits with a rope line, just like at an amusement park, where you have to wait your turn.

Visited with a group of 10 ranging from 4 to 64 and we all had a terrific time. Enough shade, water fountains and ice cream to keep us happy on a hot day—and the exhibits are excellent, providing high-quality habitats as well as ample viewing opportunities. We also took advantage of the many picnic tables to have our lunch (there are various sizes to accommodate most sizes of groups and close enough in proximity if you need two or more). Staff was friendly, restrooms were clean and we will definitely be back again! We also visited with a school group in May and had a great experience. One of Madison’s treasures!

I'm sorry but it was filthy, beyond depressing and the animals did not look good. Obviously the "free" isn't working because they are in desperate need of money. Rusty cages and gates, weeds and unkept grounds. Even my small child said "Mommy, the animals look so sad." We had to leave because we couldn't bare looking. The giraffe area needs major renovation. Yes, I saw some signs, but that is no excuse for keeping the animals like this. Please close this place or get some massive donations and redo all of it.

This was a very nice zoo. It's free to the public, and worth every minute you spend here. It isn't huge, so you can get around it in a few hours. But things are set up very nicely, in a way that you can see the animals. And they have a very nice mixture of larger animals and smaller ones. We got to see the Indian porcupines and the red panda being fed, which was fun. The polar bear, lemurs and rhino also put on a good show fur us. And we saw a demonstration with the orangutan. We chose this zoo for a visit on our vacation in order to ride the carousel. It's a 2006 Carousel Works machine with 36 animals to ride on it. It's well made, with many interesting realistic features carved into the animals and little surprises hidden in surprise places (such as the two seal pups on the back of the harbor seal). It's very well kept up too. We found all the staff members to be busy but also helpful and available. At one point two tree branches fell off a tree and blocked a pathway. We told a staff member about it and he immediately went off to take care of the branches. We did have one difficulty - parking. There isn't a lot at the front of the zoo. There is apparently more around the back, but we didn't know how to get there. We ended up parking on a nearby street.

ever since I was a young teen Ive loved trains. When I ran my first train the it was amazing. Being crammed in and being between people you love is the best. The train vibrations are really what got me. Good thing it was raining so no one could tell. ;)

This is a great place for kids and families. They work really hard to make sure the animal's environment is appropriate and healthy. It's free, but bring your appetite because the snack bar is great!

This is a first-rate zoo. I can’t believe it is free. It is also located near a beautiful park. We were there about two hours and saw everything. They have grizzlies, polar bears, and sea lions. For a zoo this size, the selection of animals was amazing. The zoo is well laid out and easy to cover in a couple of hours. Highly recommend!

Had a blast at this wonderful Zoo in downtown Madison with our friends and all the children. We love coming here a few times every year! So happy that our community has this available for children to enjoy!
Please leave donations when you visit to keep this free zoo available for all to enjoy. They have daily cost of operating and feeding the animals. Remember you paid nothing to park and nothing to enter with your guests! Leave the place better than it was before you came!
Have Fun

A treasure in Madison and what i’ll miss most about leaving the University! This zoo has a fantastic range of animals in charming neighborhood tucked away near a pond. The volunteers and staff are all genuinely excited to answer your questions. The lions and capybara are a personal favorite of mine. Seriously such a gem in Madison. So sad to be graduation and leaving the beautiful zoo behind.

Everybody I talk to recommended this zoo and they were spot on! Not only is it easy to get to but it's free (donation box at entrance and I was super proud to see it filling up)! Cute little gift shop and a really cute restaurant grill overlooking the bear exhibit. You can tell that they take good care of their animals! Was a few areas under construction and some of the animals weren't out but it was a tad chilly that day so that's to be expected! Only thing I would like to see was at least one station open handing out maps of the park. Kudos to the staff and we will be back! Our family had a great time!

Not the biggest deal in the world, but very friendly. It’s free, but I always make a donation. It’s a nice place to just take a walk when I’m tired of walking through residential areas. Close to Trader Joe’s – always a plus!

My parents took us here every year when we were young. Now my grandchildren love it as much as I did. The additions and improvements have made it even better. We really enjoy the "creepy crawly" house as our little ones call it. We try to check out everything else the zoo offers - lions,tigers and bears OH MY! That way we can take as much time as we want in our favorite place. There's a very nice playground, spots for a picnic and a all around GREAT family place to make long lasting memories. I myself lost a tooth while riding on the old merry go round. I cried because we couldn't find it. My Aunt helped me write a note for the toothftoothfairy. The next morning the note was gone and to my delight in it's place was a whole dollar!

My family and I visited Henry Vilas Zoo on a 80 degree day. It’s free, it’s small, has a train ride, carousel, and it’s perfect for a family visit! It does not have the biggest variety of animals but it has everything your expect, for a free zoo visit you will not be disappointed. My son definitely enjoyed it!

The zoo is very nice with many of the exhibits in simulated natural habitats. The great thing is that the zoo is FREE. It is also fairly small, so is perfect for young children that may tire in a larger zoo. Parking is also free.

We love visiting this zoo! It doesn’t cost anything, so even if we go with a toddler and the toddler ends up needing to nap or leave after 30 min, totally worth it. There are lots of animals at this zoo - the highlights for me are the otters, the new badger habitat, the bird house, and the red pandas (inside the Children’s zoo, also free). A few animals will always be off exhibit, but there are always plenty to visit to make the trip worthwhile.

I appreciate that they just built nice new bathrooms in the center of the zoo! The old bathrooms by the gift shop and the monkey house are kind of a disaster, so if you are there just keep walking towards the center of the zoo and it won’t be long until you find the giant new building. There are also nice bathrooms inside the polar bear building, behind the snack bar.

Personally, I recommend going when it is raining or threatening to rain because then there are hardly any people there, and you can linger as long as you’d like. But even on a sunny Saturday in the summer, there will be lots of families there but you can have a nice visit.

Another plus of this zoo is that you can bring your own food and beverages.

We had a really excellent day at the Zoo. Parking had us nervous as it was labeled 3 hours only but we felt that it was plenty of time. We brought our own food and drinks and had a little picnic where the tables were. There is a really nice play area for the kids also! Highly recommend!

Some of the animals are inside, but it is still an inviting enviroment. I can't wait until the zoo lights are available for viewing.

The otters put on quite a show and were delightful. The giraffes came over to our side and looked so lovely. The kids play area offered a nice place to run off some steam for kids. Parking in neighborhood advised because lot is always.

Loved this place in my childhood and it has gotten much better over the years. It is a must see location for any family with children visiting Madison!

they have lions, Giraffes a polar bear, cafeteria and light on winter, is a very nice well maintained free zoo, great for the family.

We really enjoyed this zoo. The zoo is very clean and we enjoyed seeing a wide variety of animals. Many of the animals were very active. We especially enjoyed watching the polar bears playing in the water! Great way to spend the day!

Visited the zoo with my two young children. Stayed for a few hours and kept busy. The bear exhibit was very nice and newer looking. They both had fun playing on the play set near the children’s zoo. While it is a smaller zoo it is well worth the visit to spend a few hours, and best of all it is free! I was happy to donate to help keep the zoo running as the kids had a blast.

This zoo is a yearly visit at least. Sometimes more than once a year. So many great things, free to get in and not overwhelmingly. There is a great park right outside the gates. My kids sleep well every time we go.

It's amazing that this wonderful community zoo is still free to the public since its establishment. Definitely check out the new interactive watershed model - the kids love it and can learn about how water flows downhill to lakes and streams, and how to protect and improve water quality.

The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison is one of many wonderful free activities in Madison where there is a culture of art, music and community activities that are provided free of charge to the public.

Zoo is open year round and has many wonderful attractions. Surprisingly easy to navigate around and parking is decent.

Definitely worth stopping at during your visit to Wisconsin's capitol city!!

Great zoo for a midsize city. What makes it extraordinary is that admittance is FREE. What more can you ask for.

Good experience, free entry and in a couple of hours you have seen it. There are not many animals but it is worth seeing. My son especially liked it.

For a free zoo this is a great bargain. Parking a bit inconvenient. Red panda exhibit was very nice feature. Definitely worth a trip if in the area.

My boyfriend and I have gone two years in a row now after our snowboarding trip at Devil's Head. It's a small zoo in a cute park/neighborhood. It's also free but we try to donate anyway. I have not been in the summer but it's on the agenda this summer!

Great, worth the trip. It is free but they welcome donations and well worth a nice donation.

They take great care of the animals.

it is a wonderful place to spend time with your kids. the tiger and flamingos were our families favorites. great pictures.

This zoo was a great experience. They have lions, tigers and bears, oh my! The lion roared when we there impressing the kids. It was loud. The best part is that it is free. Donations are requested but the zoo is a great place to spend an afternoon with the family or friends.

Over the years there has been new exhibits that look great.
nice to just be able to walk around on a nice day, see the animals and pay no
admission fee- just a donation.

Because of Covid many of the animals are not available for viewing. Only saw a few animals while there. Most indoor areas are closed.

It's FREE. Not much is free these days. It's not a huge zoo like you'd see in a big city but considering it's free admission I think it's pretty great. Animal areas seem to be clean and animals look well taken care of. Overall a pretty large variety of animals, including giraffes, big cats, orangutans, and bears. There is a nice little playground directly next to it. Free parking for 3 hrs. I think 3 hrs is plenty of time to see everything. You can buy lunch here and they also have a small gift shop.

I love going to HVZ in the summer. For it being free, it really has a lot going for it. I love the variety of animals and they have a lot of neat programs that help animals and share them with visitors.

This is a very nice place to visit and rightfully so, it is always busy. Grounds are kept very nice.

Who doesn't love to go to the zoo? The Henry Vilas Zoo is free and set in a beautiful location in Madison. When I lived in Madison, I used to go for walks/runs through the zoo and I'd stop and hang out with the gorilla for a bit. You must absolutely go... and then consider donating to help keep the zoo running.

I am always amazed that a town the size of Madison can have such a fun zoo. Every time we visit there seem to be major improvements. The viewing areas are great.

It's free and still very cool. Well-maintained exhibits and an additional play area for little kids to blow off steam. Merry-go-around and ride-able train for grandkids have always been a hit. We bring our own picnic to eat on the grounds. Nice to buy zoo membership to help support the no-fee policy

The Henry Vilas Zoo is a great option for the expensive Madison things to do. It is free!! And there is so much to see. They also have a small park area inside for kids to run off some steam (if walking the place isnt enough)

Not only is this a free zoo, the quality of zoo as well as quality of care given to these animals visibly rises above the care given at most zoos in America (I think).

At the Henry Villas Zoo today I saw Lions, Tiger, Red Pandas, Grizzly Bears, Rhino, Badgers, Meerkats, Aardvarks, Polar Bears, Giraffes, and many more. Not only do the animals visibly look happier than I've seen at a lot of zoos in America, Madison is also home to many of the oldest captive animals to date.

I also had the chance today to watch the zoo keepers interact with some of their animals, and I was very touched by the connection these keepers have with their animals, and these animals have with their keepers.

This place is definitely a place to support, and an excellent place to learn that we must conserve and appreciate and the wildlife this world has to offer.

Some areas were overgrown. It would have been nice if there were signage indicating empty exhibits. But it was fun seeing the animals.

I live close to the zoo and find myself there at least once a month. The animals are very diverse and I could spend hours looking at the apes. The zoo is kept clean which is a big plus.

My kids love the Tiger and Lions and the polar bear... I have to always drag them to leave... Would love to see more animals coming in to the zoo. Cant beat this FREE zoo...

This is an amazing zoo, it is so easy and accessible with great views of the polar bears, giraffes, and flamingos and amazing that it's free entrace!!

While not the largest zoo by any means, it is a good zoo for families to visit. Besides the normal lions, tigers and elephants, there are picnic areas and a swimming beach across the street on Lake Wingra. One item that they discontinued many years ago that was a big hit was the camel rides provided by the Zor Shriners.

Beautiful zoo with lots of nice shade to walk under. Lovely display of animals in nice habitats. Because the zoo is free, you can feel no burden in buying tickets for the carousel and train. Our family enjoyed our visit.

Considering it is a free zoo it does have a nice variety of animals. They have animals like lions, giraffes, lemurs, rhinoceros, bears, bison and camels. There is a children area with a large playground; small price $ to feed the goats, mini train and carousel also very small $. This is a very nice, clean zoo for families.

I love this medium size free zoo in Madison, WI. A nice way to spend an afternoon when the weather is nice. Always afternoon date, normal not to crowded, nice concession stands and you will be amazed at how much is really in this zoo.

Get the early because parking can be a problem, the lots fill up then search around the neighborhood to find a place. It is worth the hassle, after all there is no admission! Be sure to support the zoo by buying lunch and other ways.
Very nice exhibits with a full array of animals. Get place for your family or just to people watch, always a good time.

A fun night with friends. They put on another spectacular Christmas light walk. They did a great job with the animal depictions.

Great for the young or young at heart! Animals are in areas designed to be as close as possible to where they would live in the wild.

I have been visiting the Vilas Zoo for over 45 years and can say it has come along way in the right direction. Last visit was awestruck by the modern and family fredily enviornment. Free admission and reasonable food which you can watch the bears while you eat. Great for kids and adults. A must see while in the Madison area.

Free parking also. Overpriced food vendor. Poor mannered employees. Not enough seating to eat too. Bring a lunch or go elsewhere. Zoo is small and not very clean throughout. Dirty cages for the animals, dirty bathrooms. Dirty walkways. I wish it was better kept up as it was years ago. I guess funding probably has been cut over time. And this is the result.

The Henry Villas Zoo is a nice zoo, but I wouldn't travel long distances to visit this zoo. It's best feature is it's free. It does have polar bears (however we didn't see any during our visit) , tigers and lions. During winter, it seems that about half the zoo is closed. It's super busy on weekends. Parking is an issue.

This FREE zoo cannot complete with those of large cities but it is the perfect size for a half-day outing with children. There is enough variety to interest everyone, even the adults, and the layout is easy to follow. The exhibit space is kept up and the overall facility is clean with friendly, helpful staff.

Had a great time with grandkids. Beautiful natural habitats. Very good view of all the animals. Picture opps with a polar bear and other scenes throughout the zoo. Train and merry go round rides available for a small cost. Hugh carousel. You can also sit while kids enjoy the large playground. And admission is free. Can't beat it for a fun time.

Absolutely the best free zoo I have been to in multiple states. My children have loved this place since before they could walk. Love the indoor and outdoor options for eating with ongoing views of the animals

I have been going to this free zoo my entire life. While it is definitely not as grand as the Milwaukee County Zoo, there is plenty to see. When you have younger kids (brought my 3 & 6 year old niece and nephew here) this is the perfect size and there's a playground they loved. For the first time this year, my husband and I went to the Zoo Lights which was pretty cute too (there was a cost to this event). Love this zoo!

Indoor buildings were closed as of May 21st 2021 but still a very nice zoo to walk around, even in the rain. Great variety of animals. Monkeys and lion were both loud! Lion roaring was neat and monkeys were comical. This is a free zoo but I hope everyone is donating! We put multiple bills in the "money tornado" machine but even if you only have a dollar it's worth it to help the animals.

I have been visiting Henry Vilas Zoo throughout my life and often take volt of town visitors there. It is a manageable size, with picnic areas and a carousel, as well as continually improving animal environments. There is an adjacent beach and ice skaiting with rentals in the winter, as well. I last visited for their zoo lights and enjoyed the restaurant with an up close view of the polar bears.

The animals are happy here and the zoo (and crowds) are not too big. You can really have a nice time.

This place holds a lot of memories for me, as I’ve been here on many trips since I was a child, and now have enjoyed bringing my own kids back many times now. It’s a Madison icon for sure ! And you definitely can’t beat the price.

With that said- I wanted to offer a few tips here from a local to those who are visiting from out of town. The parking situation is DIRE unless you are possibly coming during a weekday, earlier in the week, and during the off season. Your next best bet is to arrive before they open. If none of these things apply- be prepared to take a stroll, probably a long one. Definitely bring strollers or a wagon if you have littles. There is street parking in the neighborhood, but there’s many restrictions. If you get turned around easily, I suggest snapping a photo of the nearest cross street to where you parked. This part of town is not set on a grid system, and it’s easy to get lost if you don’t have a good sense of direction. This is doubly true if you happen to drive a car that’s common here. Subaru Outback drivers, I’m looking at you!

Visiting the animals can be hit or miss, as they are allowed to retreat when they want to. I would suggest going with an open mind and being prepared to move on to another exhibit if needed. May is field trip season, as this is the end of the school year here. So if you’re planning to visit then, just be prepared for it to be absolutely packed.

Air conditioned spaces are not readily available, although there are a lot of shady spots, so definitely plan your outing with the weather in mind. Pack your water bottles, sunscreen, and comfy walking shoes, especially in the summer months.

You can bring food in, but there are also several places to purchase food. There’s a lot of kid family favorites like ice cream, nachos, etc. There is also a really nice cafe called ZuZu’s located across the street from the main entrance that is child friendly.

I hope this helps! This place isn’t perfect but it’s free and you can have a decent time if you plan ahead a bit.

A wonderful free zoo, donations are voluntary. It's nicely laid out with many exhibits for a small zoo. Lots of hands on things to do for kids. The new polar bear habitat is awesome with big windows to watch the bears swim. Near a small beach and lots of picnic areas. Really fun for all ages.

I have visited this spot on several occasions with 3 kids and some friends. As it is free we typically donate and try to purchase snacks. I have also attended Brew Lights in November with the spouse which was a delightful 21+ event.

This zoo is great. Plenty large but manageable in a few hours. So many of the animals we all love to see. Free entry (but a donation is accepted). A huge beautiful park near the water is right next to the zoo. We had a great time and I recommend seeing the zoo if you are in the Madison area.

Cute little zoo in Madison, the rainforest exhibit was really nice to look at. Playground was tons of fun for the toddler. Definitely get there first thing in the morning if you want parking as lot was quite small.

This is our go to spot for a lovely day with the kids. It’s free, and sits on a great little lake where you can rent little boats on Lake Wingra. Lots of fun!

We recently visited this wonderful zoo with our grandson, and we were amazed by the exhibits and location; however, the small lot fills up fast and all of the side streets are limited to Two-Hour parking. Having been ticketed there before, I had to leave the fun to move our car to an even further parking location. My advice is to visit on a Sunday, stay for just two hours, or park in the larger lot nestled behind the zoo near the lake. Aside from the parking issue, you will have a fun visit as long as it's not too hot for the animals to be active.

This is one of the nicest zoos I have ever visited. The animals are in large comfortable environments. Great variety of species and well laid out to make observation easy.

This was my first time here. Was not aware that Madison had a free zoo/park, so I was pleasantly surprised. The Park was very easy to get around in, offered a lot of attractions. We were there early in the season, so there was some construction taking place. Overall a great place for everyone!

We went with our two grandchildren to the Vilas zoo on a pleasant sunny day and we had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed seeing all the animals and taking part in the activities. Best of all, admission is free and even the food on site is priced reasonably.
I recommend this to anyone who has a visiting grandchild or other visiting child.

Grounds very beautiful. Many benches so people can sit along the way. The animals and exhibits are clean and well taken care of.

This is a free zoo . It’s a tiny little zoo and it’s very well kept up . Very well landscaped , paths are blacktopped & are in excellent shape , great shade trees throughout . There are strollers at the entrance . There is a donation box at the entrance . Scattered about Are restrooms & food options ( not too much as it is a small place ) . A good amount of animals and their habitats were well kept . Kids would love it on an outing .

I was looking for things to do to kill time while I was in Madison for work. Unfortunately, it rained in the morning so the walkways were dirty and lots of puddles. There is a bit of construction going on too so the noise was a bit disturbing, but the exhibits of the animals were great! Multiple viewing areas of the animals so if you couldn't see them from one way, there was always another. It's not too big so even if you have an hour, make the effort!

Great size for the younger set. Free to visit. Small fee for train and carousel. Make sure to pack your own snacks or lunch. The snack bar/ restaurant is way over priced, the service is horrible, and it is hard to find a clean table to eat at.

Decent zoo. It was free. Great way to spend a few hours. Wide variety of animals, for a small zoo that is. Fun polar bear exhibit.

I have been to this zoo numerous times in my life and each time it has been uniquely different. My last visit was a reserved pavilion outside
of the zoo for a family reunion. Just watch out for an occasional odd ball lurking around if you rent one. There was plenty of room for our whole family with enough space to spare for strangers when it started to rain hard outside. You can pull up to the pavilion to drop stuff off, but are expected to park in designated parking spaces afterwards. Although, it would be nice if they offered at least one disabled space next to the pavilion for those who need it. The gift shop has a great selection of educational toys and gifts for everyone. There is a great playground inside & outside the zoo, along with lots of picnic tables to eat at. There is a restaurant inside otherwise that you can buy food at & watch a bear through huge windows while eating. It's really cool! Large selection of animals throughout the zoo. My favorites to watch are the bears. Basketball court & beach in Summer outside of zoo. Great idea for a field trip. Holiday lights throughout zoo in the Winter. Little train and big carousel you can ride for a fee certain times of the year. There is free parking in both the front and back of the zoo. Overall, it has always been a great place to visit. I will definitely be visiting again.

This zoo is very nice and clean and the staff is friendly, It is also really nice that entrance into the zoo is free. Although there are a few things that you will need to pay for to do, for instance the carousel and train ride. They are a nominal fee but can add up if you are taking a large family. They also have a really nice play area and small animal zoo for the little kids. Overall a great zoo to spend the afternoon at.

I know this zoo is free, and parking is free too, so I am giving it a better review than if I had to pay.

The zoo is very clean and a lot of the exhibits are new and spacious. Biggest problem I had was a lot of the animals were not on display.

The day we were there were no polar bears, giraffe, sloths, penguins, Sandhills cranes, and river otters. Also, only one lonely seal.

Zoo is very small, so when you don’t have a third of your animals on display, it doesn’t make for a good zoo experience. Even if all animals were on display, shouldn’t take more than two hours to see everything.

This zoo was great. Totally donation run so for families it is well worth a visit. All the animals looked very healthy. Seeing a grizzly and a polar bear together in one exhibit was very unique to me. Loved the activity shown by the animals. Each exhibit had explanations and educational information on the animals. Well worth a walk around

Visiting friends in Madison from the UK, and we made a return visit after about 10 years since the last time.
Great to see the investment in the Polar and Brown Bear complex, something that we definitely needed doing as they were in poor condition.
Sadly there we no animals to look at, but this was compensated by watching the lion cubs. Although, the male lion too great pleasure in 'spraying' the visitors, we recognised when he was about to perform but others got a surprise momentum of their visit.
Unbelievable that this is a free zoo, so thanks to the City of Madison providing the attraction.
Hope to back again soon.

This Zoo is free. The continually make improvements for the animal's welfare. Lots if stuff to do & see. Children really love visiting. There are lots of places to sit & rest. Employees & volunteers are friendly & helpful. We really enjoyed our visit. The neighborhood has beautiful old homes nearby.

Small town zoo operates on donations. They ask for $2, but it is worth at least $5. Pleasant, with nice looking animals in what appear to be safe well maintained habitats.

Go for the fun and simplicity.

I like Zoo's! This zoo is a little gem hidden in Madison. It's free! It was a very nice day with the family. The children and adults loved the Carosel.

Always a fun day at the zoo - even better because it's free (don't forget to make a donation - it helps to keep it free!) Lots to see and do. A playground for the kids. The polar bears are my favorite!

This is a wonderful zoo and its FREE (accepts donations) . Animals are well cared for. Lots of activities to join in on.

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?

It is a indeed a tribute to the city of Madison that this wonderful attraction is offered free to the public. The Polar Bear and Grizzly exhibits are awesome for kids and we enjoy each visit.

The animals are well-cared for and there are lots of fun facts about them. The landscaping is pretty. There is a herpetarium, a polar bear, a red panda, a baby orangutan, to name a few animals. The workers were friendly. We all really enjoyed the zoo visit! I would go again even having seen it already!

It's a small zoo and the main thing is that the animals seem to be well cared for and healthy. Additions in recent years have made life better for several of the animals and visitors have responded positively to those things happening.
This zoo seems to be well maintained in that there was never much garbage laying around in the many times I've visited.
However, last year it was noted that some things needed improvements: metal railings were peeling (with metal), the woman's restroom near the front entrance had paint peeling (according to my wife), signage was wrong (tigers had lion signs and lions had tiger signs).
There was an inspection team that came in during the summer of 2018 and I think most of those issues were taken care of.
In the news recently though were numerous issues with staff 'cat-fighting' with one another, and not treating volunteers as well as they could have been treated. Also a problem was how money that is donated by businesses and individuals was being used. According to local news stations, many staff members were released from their jobs and those positions were taken over by county employees.
These things were all behind the scenes though and visitors were probably unaware of what was going on.
The main thing, as mentioned previously, is that the animals seem healthy.

What? A free zoo, not possible! This one is! Great variety of animals, large and small. Especially the badger exhibit! Since it's free spent a hour, go through quickly or take your time and spent the day. Donations are welcomed in any amount. Parking can be challenging on busy days especially beautiful weekend days.

This is a great little zoo. They improve every year. So kid oriented. Halloween trick or treating, Santa and lights. Just so much to see.

This is a small zoo, but it's free! The best part is the polar bear. There is a lot of construction going on but it's nice to see they are trying to improve. Fun for kids and adults alike.

Went through this amazing zoo on a beautiful October day. A perfect size to enjoy without walking too much. The trees were stunning with so many fall colors. The tiger was beautiful. Enjoyed the polar bears and the grizzly bears were swimming in their pool. Two huge giraffes walking around. Cute capybara who looks just like a huge guinea pig. Loved the two displays to compare your arm spread to the primates and the large bird wingspans. Great displays about insects, animal bones and teeth. Loved the Badgers. So many animals. A rhino, bison, camel, orangutans, lemurs, so many animals. Great educational signage explaining the animals. Loved the aviary and tropical forest display. A fun day at the zoo and it's FREE too. Loved it all.

Not too many zoo's that remain free for admission. They do encourage donations so that they can keep it free. A smaller zoo, but still a great place to visit on a nice spring or summer day in Madison Wisconsin. Good small eclectic restaurant nearby - Zu Zu Café on Drake Street featuring Mediterranean fare.

Not many zoos are free, so Madison is lucky to have this. It is a little smaller than other zoos around the country, but they still have all the zoo classics. I really enjoyed the tigers, lions, bears, giraffes, bison, and the badger exhibits. It doesn't take a lot of time to go through, but it makes for a fun outing at no cost.

Free admission! Lots to see and do! Stop by the new polar bear exhibit or visit the monkeys. Concessions on site or pack a lunch and enjoy the surrounding park that the zoo sits in. On site parking is free too.

I'm glad this was free, it's a quaint little zoo. Many animals were not out (as the animals can choose to be out or not) or not on display, but the orangutans were adorable and worth it.

This is a small zoo that only takes a couple hours, but well-maintained and enjoyable. Some interesting animals.

Henry Vilas zoo is one of the most unique zoos in the Country. Best of all—its free admission, but a small donation at the gate is most welcome. We loved. The giraffes and especially the two new Badgers Dekker and Kaminsky. Check out the polar bear exhibit and the giant arctic explorer truck. Food is pricey due to the free admission, but picnic grounds along Lake Wingra are plentiful. Zoo is easy to get around.

We visit the zoo as often as we can. We don't care if it is warm or cold, summer, fall, spring, or winter. We have been so impressed with the work of the zoo staff that we joined as members. The Zoo group has accumulated a great deal of money but needs to put more money into the zoo instead of their own coffers.

Great Zoo. Has a lot to offer. We enjoyed this zoo so much we want to go back again. Also was completely surprised it's free. Although they do accept donations. They have a wonderful selection of animals to see as well having a carrsel, train ride. Those do cost 2 dollars per person. Which is still affordable. Its also very family friendly. Just loved this zoo.

Even as a little kid, this was always one of my favorite places to visit. And as an adult, it just keeps getting better as they improve the habitat for the animals and add new exhibits. This is a very clean zoo, and it's obvious the staff puts in a lot of time and effort to care for the animals and make them comfortable. There is a lot of walking, but there are stroller rentals for people visiting with small children. This zoo does not charge admission, but there is a place for those who may wish to make a donation for upkeep and care of the facility and the animals. There is a large, restored indoor carouosel that does charge for riding it, but it's a small fee and is worth it. There is also a children's area with a petting zoo. Parking is free, but is limited so get there early unless you want to park further away and walk to the front gate. This attraction should definitely be on your list of "must see" places to visit when in the Madison area.

Free! Parking is awful but you can walk from a side street. Clean healthy animals. Playground, paths along the lake and picnic areas right next door. Cute little zoo.

Have brought the kids here a few times. We enjoy the fact it is not that large. Enough animals to keep them interested. Little disappointed in our last trip as it was very hot and many of the animals were not out - understandable with the heat but kids disappointed they couldnt view animals from an inside venue. Kids love the play area.

Was told to visit because of my leg issue. Free zoos historically are smaller, easy to get around. Perfect access for kids and strollers, seems to be additional growth or improved facilities which is good.

Parking is a bit tough but you can find some spots along houses on the side streets. It's free so don't expect the best zoo you've ever seen but it's fun to walk around with a two year old. Zoo path is set up pretty well for you to not have to backtrack a bunch. Good for 2.5 hours tops. Follow up often if you decide to eat at the Glacier Grille. Seems like they forgot our food order and after 30 minutes of nothing coming out, the manager gave us a refund. Usually not a big deal but 30 minutes is an eternity with a hungry child.

We took our grand girls on an outing to this zoo.... We enjoyed 2 hours of animal exhibits including lions, giraffes, sea lions and so much more! Admission is free.... minimal cost to ride the carousel of zoo animals... We enjoyed it a great deal!

All this poor animals are captive in a really small dirty cage. Most of those animals are clearly suffering of zoocosis.
The chimpanzees are so depressed, that they are throwing the feces away.
The urine stink invades the rooms.
I felt so sad before this visit. The best description of the zoo is SHAME.

Fun with my kids they had good time to roam around near Cool places morning walking around zoo good to go with kids

This was such a nice visit. Arrived at 3pm in th afternoon...a bit late in the day. The zoo had a lot of shade, which made it tolorable on such a hot day. Some of the features close at 4pm, but we were able to see most everything! My 7 year old granddaughter loved it! It’s free too, but donations are accepted. Nice, clean bathrooms and food service areas too.

We went here with our son and our 2 year old granddaughter. They had been here before but it was our first time. It was a very nicely maintained zoo in a lovely park. It is fairly small which was perfect for the granddaughter- we could walk around and look at everything without her getting too tired or overwhelmed. It has a varied selection of animals, a merry-go-round and a train ride, a Children's Zoo with a VERY active group of goats which our granddaughter loved, a playground, gift shop and restaurants. You're also allowed to bring your own food and eat at one of the picnic tables. It is very popular with the locals so we got there shortly after it opened to avoid the crowds later in the day. Glad we went and looking forward to returning.

We were filled with awe as we entered the zoo. Open to public free of charge, the zoo is amazing.
Donations are certainly accepted, but never forced upon the visitors.
The variety of animals was impressive especially when you consider the cost of admission.
There were places to picnic and places to purchase a meal.
The animals appeared well tended to and were clean.
Maps of the grounds are available and are also on boards throughout the zoo.
Plan on spending at least three hours to enjoy the open grounds and buildings that house the animals.

A free Zoo? Yes a free zoo with only a request of a donation. The Henry Vilas Zoo has been in a positive growth for a period of time. It is a small & kind zoo, very close to the heart of Madison, WI. Relaxing and caring with a community focus on the environment and those that inhabit it. That is the feeling you get from this zoo. It is a great place to visit with out-of-town guests. When you don't know where to bring out of town guests...go to the zoo.

This my first visit back to "The Zoo" since I was probably 12 years old (20+ years). First and foremost, please remember that this is a free attraction funded by donations and mildly by the city. Overall, it is a very fun experience. Tons of animals to see, so much knowledge to learn, oodles of experiences to take advantage of as well. Displays were great. Animal sanctuaries were as expected and kind to the inhabitants. The only negatives were that the indoor eating area (Glacier Grille) was incredibly filthy (guy at counter wearing 1 rubber glove for food serving purpose was also punching register keys and giving change with same handed glove), in addition the dining room looked like the aftermath of a 2 week old food fight (old dried slop and chunks everywhere, floor looked like Woodstock 1969), the other issue was that all of the rest rooms that we visited were also just as filthy, slopped upon, stained throughout, but were more reminiscent of Woodstock 1995. Overall, great place to visit for the price (FREE, donate if you can), but go potty and eat something before you leave house, and be strong until you get home.

We happened to visit during the marvelous Halloween celebration. We enjoyed the festive atmosphere & delightful costumes. Exhibits were well done for the primary audience: children.

Fun and free family activity. Easy to access location. Nice play area for children. Good 1-2 hour visit or longer with a picnic lunch.

This is a small zoo that is FREE to the public. The volunteers and staff are passionate about their work and we felt it while visiting. The exhibits are well done and their is so much for children to do.

Diamond in the rough. The zoo is free and they have a children's play area and petting area. It was a great experience. I was surprised at the variety for a small county zoo.

Great zoo-a variety of adult animals, petting zoo for the kids, concessions area. My favorite animal is the elephants!

I took my two year old and 6 month old to this zoo and we had the best time! It is smaller than other zoos I've been to which gave it a more intimate feel and less overwhelming for my toddler.
Good to know in advance that not every indoor space is open for strollers which was a little annoying

We have always had a great experience here. The layout is great for taking kids, and there’s always a lot to learn and see with the animals.

My wife and I visited here while vacationing in the area and enjoyed the zoo. It isn't huge but for free admission it cannot be beat. There was a nice variety of animals and the baby orangutan is super cute. A great place to go with or without children.

A free zoo in the middle of Madison. Lots of animals to see. Parking can be a hassle with a small lot and tight side streets. The polar bear is entertaining to watch. Stroller and wheelchair friendly. Playground outside of the zoo as well

My grandkids' favorite activity to do, no matter who takes them. Everyone can afford it...there is no admission charge. Lots to look and an learn about. Indoor things to do when the animals don't want to come out. Outdoor things to do when the weather is fine. Great slide area too.

For a free zoo this is very nicely done. Many of the buildings and exhibits are new or recently renovated. This is a great place to spend a few hours enjoying various animals.

This zoo is fantastic! It’s free and easy to get park. It has a wide variety of animals but isn’t overwhelming for small children. It only takes an hour or two to go through the zoo and since it’s free, you don’t feel guilty for not seeing all of it. They also have zoo lights in the winter which is super fun!

For a free zoo this is a wonderful place to take the kids. There are good exhibits and a wonderful play area for the youngsters to play. I would prefer larger spaces for the animals. Many exhibits have a learning area which are done well so that children can understand. Great park nearby and a swimming area. Inexpensive way to spend the day and have some fun.

Probably the best free do I've ever been to. I'd say it also tops some zoos with an admission. Great for families. Highly recommend.

Free entrance! The zoo is pretty big. There are a lot of animals to see here! All our kids enjoyed it, even the big kids. They have an indoor merry go round and a fun playground in the kids area.

Started not to go here...such a small zoo, but so very glad I did! It is a small zoo, so easy for 4 year old grandson to walk through and see everything without getting too tired. The play area was a huge hit and he loved it. Food was a little pricey (not atypical for a zoo) but was very good. Exhibits were good. Zoo was clean. Some age noted. Limited animals. Friendly staff. We did train, not carousel. Aside from those 2 activities which are optional...zoo is free. Parking was free. Had a relaxed day. Stayed about 3 hours.

Wonderful first class zoo for no cost to get in!!! Doesn't get any better. Wonderful exhibits like the best zoos in the world. I watched the badgers for a long time!! They were so playful. Enjoyed the orangoutangs too. Always a must when visiting Madison!!!

This is a really good zoo! It is small, and doesn’t have a ton of rare species, but the animals are clearly well cared for, the exhibits are really nice and modern, and the layout is beautiful. I had an amazing time!

a wonderful place to visit. there are many animals. its free to visit. a great place to spend time with your children. the exhibits are cool. i love the polar bear.

Went to the zoo recently for the first time. I can't believe I've never been here. Such a nice zoo. Stopped by on a Wednesday late morning and had the zoo to ourselves essentially. Even though it is November, the animal were out! We really enjoyed our time there. This is a free zoo and donations are accepted. Highly recommend this jewel. Our favorite areas were the giraffes, orangutans, red pandas and the interactive watershed activity (pretty cool). Must see zoo.

These days few things of any real value are free. The Henry Vilas Zoo is a Madison, WI jewel. Family fun for kids and adults of all ages. Whether a short couple hour visit or an all day adventure you’re sure to enjoy your time under the trees and visiting the animals. One note; parking is minimal so you’ll likely need to find a spot on a nearby neighborhood street.

This is a great little zoo. A nice variety of animals, clean facilities, reasonably priced food, and i think best of all, it provides all of these things in a compact area.
Too often zoos are so spread out that they are inconvenient for families with small children and everyone ends up drained and crabby by the end of the visit.
The fact that it is free is a huge bonus. I highly recommend this activity to families with young children in Madison.

Free, beautiful zoo. They just opened due to the virus. They have it set up well to control crowds. Unfortunately buildings are closed, but we still saw a lot of animals and the main food place (and ice cream!) Is open. It's a pretty place and you can't beat free.

I've paid more for lesser zoos. This place absolutely exceeded my expectations of what a "free" zoo experience should be. Henry Vilas is clean, modern, and the animals seemed to be well cared for. We were there on a weekend during spring break, and still there was plenty room to walk around. Crowds were minimal, and the vibe was nice. Great place to stop in on an afternoon -- we were visiting Madison on our way to a concert that night.

Great FREE zoo! Big ticket animals, great kids play area, knowledgeable zoo keepers (nice zoo keeper talks). We really loved the giraffe, polar bear and rhino.

what other zoo is free and encourages you to pack a picnic lunch? this is a Madison treasure... Arctic Passage with Polar Bearsexhibit is awesome... Giraffes are close up and personal.... love the big cats....easy parking, and knowledgeable helpful staff. definitely worth a visit.

Free! And fun! We had a great experience!! Definitely will go back. We went with a 7, 6, and 3 year old boy. Everyone had a good time! Especially enjoyed the bears.

We have taken our grandchildren EVERY year to this wonderful free zoo. Beautiful landscaping and park to eat a picnic or eat on site. Many areas to take some unique pictures too.

We stopped by for a quick visit and I could't believe all they had for a free zoo! The kids play area is a must for all kids that visit!

I appreciated that this place is easy to navigate and the staff are friendly. I would definitely recommend it. The best free zoo!

So is you’re in Madison and you’re looking to kill a couple hours this is the spot for you. First off, it’s free. Shop around you can’t beat those prices.

Second, the animal exhibits are pretty nice. They’ve got some large exotic mammals like giraffes, seals, badgers (of course) literally lions and tigers and bears (brown and polar) and oh yeah a fricken rhino.

We didn’t hit any of the food stands so I can’t help you there. The gift shop is not supper terrific. But it’s serviceable.

So why only 4 out of 5? Portapotties maybe it was the construction but whatever reason they had out houses. Not a fan there.

That said it’s a fine Zoo and it’s free and it’s a great way to spend a couple hours with the family.

A nice little zoo, walkable in about 2 hours. Lots of animals, free, and open year round! The signage was not amazing...we had a hard time finding the penguins but we spent a fun, chilly morning here.

Great little zoo in Madison WI. Was free to enter and was a great way to spend a couple of hours seeing all the animals and exhibits. Nice gift shop and definitely worth a visit if in the area.

Loved visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo! It's a free entry zoo, but you can drop your change in various containers throughout the zoo for donations. No pressure to donate. Clean zoo,great variety of animals and the carousel was a treat. Souvenirs are reasonably priced. Great place to visit for all ages.

A lovely stroll in all weather and for all ages! Free is lovely but you can donate to help keep this Madison gem free! Highly Recommended!

had never been to henry vilas zoo before, it was nice but small compared to other zoos. being its free we had fun seeing several animals. this zoo would be perfect for younger children.

This is what a zoo should be. Accessible, easily walkable, animal- and people-friendly. We're tired of paying big bucks to big zoos to see acres of habitat and rare glimpses of animals. We spent 30 minutes watching the rhinoceros play with a log ten feet away from us while we heard lions roar and saw giraffes galloping a stone's throw away.

We didn’t expect too much from a donations only zoo but we ended up loving it! They have all the big animals you’d expect to only see at a large zoo and lots of great viewing angles. I’ve already started recommending this to friends.

It was fun seeing the different animals at this zoo. I have never seen a Rhinoceros before so that was a fun experience. The cages/living areas seemed a bit small though. Our visit was during the week on a rainy day, so the zoo was not busy at all. I would guess that if it was a busy time this zoo may be quite crowded. Very enjoyable with the different animals.

The animals at this zoo are definitely not on sedating medications! The animals interact with you. We had giraffes follow our family around their enclosure. It was busy with school age kids, but it was not a bother. There was ample room. All of the animals were up and moving around. The polar bear was especially active. New construction on bathroom facilities is underway. A must see!

Very Impressed with this zoo. Good selection of exhibits. Clean and easily accessible with borrowed wheelchair. Nice little cafe for food and drink

On the plus side, it's free and an easy place to get around and things are well maintained. It also doesn't take long to see. The exhibits themselves are not large and when we were there several were being cleaned so we did not see the animals. Not a destination but a good diversion

Love the Henry Vilas Zoo! Well kept and perfect size for small children. Great variety of animals. There is also a wonderful carousel, train and play area for the kiddos! Oh yeah, and it's free admission!

Terrible rainy cold weather but a cute fun zoo I’m still trying to figure out how you take care of all your animals since you do not charge a fee we have been to zoos all over America and at least they charge something to get in it was cold a lot of the animals worn out but the zoo is well-kept

Nice habitats. All the animals look happy. Very young kids can enjoy this. You may have difficulty finding a place to park.

Easily walkable, free, updates being done to improve exhibits. Visit here if you want a nice day outdoors with the kids or even alone! Can bring your own picnic lunch or snacks for sale there. There is a large park with play equipment right outside the zoo and a really nice children's zoo that also has a cloning structure and slides.

This is a nice place to stop without having to spend money. There are lots of fun animals, including prairie dogs. I highly recommend to those with children.

Even though it was a Saturday, it was not too busy and we were able to see all of the main exhibits. Very entertaining and exciting.

My husband and I used to frequent this "little free zoo" back in 2008-2009 when we were dating/engaged. We loved going; even the weekends weren't that busy, considering that is a prime day for families to attend. We went back for the first time in over 10 years and it was PACKED. To the gills. They built it up to be much more of an attraction than actual exhibits with animals. When we arrived, there were two bouncers at the entrance. One was a woman giving kids handstamps (for fun), the other was standing by the donation box. There's a big sign that says the obligatory "we're free so you don't have to donate, but suggested donation is $2/person" but with the other person standing RIGHT BY THE BOX it almost felt like you had to donate or be given the stink-eye. We would have donated anyways, but it was just an icky feeling. We didn't stay long--too crowded, too built up...not the same quaint zoo that we loved and frequented. I don't think I'll go back, but will find other things to do in Madison.

My hubby and I went there. We loved it. The animals were mostly out and active. We saw animals that we don't have in SC. Great for all family members. And the thing is it's FREE.

The zoo was so sad. Most exhibits were empty. The smell in the houses was so strong. I am from Chicago and visit Lincoln Park free zoo for over 40 years and it is amazing. We were so sad that we put all our money into the donation box. otter exhibit only had green water. No bears. Not sure if someone should visit and make sure the animals are ok

It took us forever to find a parking spot. The bathrooms were gross. I think the animals left their cages and were let loose in the bathroom. Nastiness everywhere with no toilet paper. It's very small with very little animals.

Being zoo lovers, we visited here while exploring the Milwaukee area. This small zoo has free parking and admission; it’s definitely kid-oriented, with a Children’s Zoo and play area comprising a large part of the grounds. Still, adults will enjoy the nice variety of animals here; we especially liked the walk-through free-flight aviary. No printed maps are given out, yet we didn’t see many “you are here” maps posted around, so it’s probably easy to miss things here or get a bit lost (we did have trouble finding an exit). We arrived early but finding their small parking lots filled already, we had to park on a side street with a 2-hr. parking limit. As it turned out, we spent 3 hours there, but happily there was no parking ticket on our car.

This is a free zoo. It's free. You walk in and walk out without gates or interruption. There are enough animals and areas to walk around to entertain kids for a couple hours and there is a large park next to the zoo if energetic kiddos need to burn some energy. Our family typically visits around 5 times each year.

For this visit, a friend and I each had a Friday off work and we brought our sets of kids to walk around and see the animals (for free). The tigers were sadly gone(?), but there were some new red pandas to see. The orangutans and lemurs are always fun to watch. There are plenty of other animals to see as well (porcupines, giraffes, lions, polar bears, sea lions, an herpetarium (snakes!) and others areas to visit within.

While the zoo is free, you should really donate something or buy some food/gifts (which are remarkably NOT super overpriced) to support the animals, caretakers and facilities. With good weather and some friends, a trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo makes for a perfect (and inexpensive) afternoon in Madison.

Best zoo ever. Free. Miss Winkie the elephant. They don’t have an elephant anymore more. Love the orangutan

This is a place to go if you live under the poverty level and can’t afford real entertainment or have no idea how animals are supposed to look and act in real life.

It’s depressing and sad and the animals look the part. Start charging money to improve the place.

The zoo does not charge admission. It is packed with information. Last time I was there was to look at an exhibition by Kandis Eliott. I continue to remind myself to swing by. Mammals and birds in capivity cause me to feel sad although it is a great opportunity to gather photos to use for drawings. Some species probably would ot exist today if not for zoos. I also love the families with children and being a fly on the wall as I observe their reactions and interactions and recall what it was like to be a little kid. The zoo is attached to a lagoon, a beach on Lake Wingra, a nice boardwalk nearby and if you are into plants it is a pleasant distraction. In the winter one can enjoy ice skating. In the summer a dip in the lake.

Nice buildings to view animals in winter. Many with attached outside habitats. Especially enjoyed polar bear exhibit as they were quite active in the cold.

Always love going to the Vilas Zoo. It is an excellent zoo for a small city and offers many educational experiences for small children. We take our grandchildren for visits to the zoo many times a year. Especially love the Zoo Lights at Christmas time and the Halloween celebration in October.

The Madison Zoo is and always will be on of my favorites. It’s incredible that it’s free! I haven’t been up there for a couple of years and they have made some changes. They have a new polar bear enclosure where you can view from several locations allowing you to watch the bear no matter where it is, on land or under water. They have also made a new area for the brown bears and seals with the option to view from several locations. If you haven’t been to the Madison Zoo for a while or ever, it’s a must see if your in the Madison area.

I've been there a few times with my grandson and daughter it's not a very big Zoo but it's nice and it's clean then the animals were active it's a nice place to go with kids

The Zoo is free and open to the public, which is great since it means everyone can enjoy, but also problematic as the zoo seems to rely on donations when it needs to make improvements. Sort of a catch 22 as some of the zoo enclosures are very outdated or under-sized for the animals. The goats are on a concrete paddock... there were a few other animal enclosures that were a little hard to take since they were undersized. That being said, the newer enclosures seem to have been better thought out with the mental health and well-being of the animals in mind. As a supporter of zoos and the role they play in animal conservation, some of the exhibits here were a little hard to take, but it is still a zoo, they do what they can, it is free to the public, and with support and donations, it looks like the zoo is moving forward to make improvements to the animals that live there.

This is a well maintained, well staffed zoo!
The animals are well cared for and beautiful to see. And the food at the Grill is pretty tasty as well.

The Henry Vilas Zoo located just on the southern edge of the UW Madison campus is a small but terrific zoo that's always a pleasure to visit. There's plenty to see here to occupy a day trip and there is ample parking within waking distance.

We love taking our 3-year old son to the Henry Vilas Zoo! It's free, but we always make sure to donate. Great place for the little ones to run off that energy and learn about really cool animals!

It's hard to beat a free zoo. I have been to a few free zoos, including Lincoln Park, The National (Smithsonian), and St. Louis. This is much better than the Menominee Park Zoo, also in Wisconsin, as it is much larger and looks more like a real zoo while Menominee Park is more like a place to go for a walk with some animals.

I would say the Henry Vilas Zoo is better than the Lincoln Park Zoo and the National Zoo. If you are looking for a free activity, this is a good bet! I also happened to be there on a day where the train rides and carousel rides were also free, which was awesome! They apparently are free only on certain days. The train is not on tracks but my small children liked it.

Don't miss the Somali Wild Ass!

I love visiting zoos in various cities where animals are provided living conditions closely resembling their natural habitat. They appear content. Water and food are often visible to the visitor. However, I noticed few amenities for Henry Vilas zoo animals. I especially felt concern for the two donkeys that paced up and down the fence line, a sign of stress. There was no vegetation or green space for them; no shade. Nothing but dirt and scattered clumps of weeds. Free is good for the kids, but I think a small fee is in order for adults so that the zoo can be greatly improved and enjoyed by the local public and out-of-state visitors. Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida would be an excellent model to follow: regular volunteers, public funding/fund raising, newsletters with contributors’ page, and souvenirs.
Perhaps a Go-Fund-Me site for a newborn Henry Vilas Zoo animal. For example, The Animal Adventures Park in Harpursville, NY did just that for April the Giraffe and her newborn calf, Tijiri, and raised well over $100,000. This money not only allowed the zoo owner to make improvements on the zoo grounds, it also allowed for park expansion. Anyway, I will never forget the pacing donkeys at Henry Vilas Zoo.

Because I like giraffes I do not miss an opportunity to see one. Well, this Zoo has one, but only one. The penguin enclosure was okay, but the otter area was really dirty. The gift shop was ideal for children. Located in a lovely nighborhood.

A fun FREE zoo with lost of animals and exhibits , plenty of walking and fun for all. kids had a blast

The zoo was larger than we expected. The parking lot is very small, we found nearby street parking. Lots of animals to see - bison, capybaras, tortoises, complete with herpatoriun, aviary, and ape house. There is a children’s play area. There are varied walking surfaces, plenty of restrooms, and wheelchair/stroller accessible.

I was surprised with how nice this zoo was since it was free. Nice little spot to take a family for a day out

We visit but it was cut short because of the terrible wet weather but I would recommend it certainly for children. Cannot understand why it is free to visit I am sure they could make it even better with additional funding by charging a small fee. You can make a donation when you enter which we did but dies everyone.

This is the best free zoo in the state! I was a little disappointed when they took out the sea lions but I always enjoy my time here. Prime time to come is during a weekday. If you come on the weekend it will be PACKED! Do you remember that even though it is a free zoo they do accept donations :)

I was not a fan of the zoo lights. You pay $7 to walk around the zoo and see the Christmas lights. Half of the zoo is roped off and you are not able to see any of the animals. None of the houses are open either. Disappointed and was expecting more. Would not come again to the zoo lights.

This zoo is very nice and doesn’t take all day to visit, but the best part is it’s FREE! Even though it’s not as large as Milwaukee zoo it’s still good size and carries a nice variety of animals to see. Highly recommend it if your in Madison!

Recommended!

Ok, caged animals, but for a zoo, very nice indeed. What a range of animals too!

Go visit it, as it is a hidden gem.

Great little zoo. Many of the animals were active. Still no penguin. The giraffes were very close. Also the bison were almost close enough to touch, you do need to go to the top of the ramp.

I live zoos and was excited to find out its free! It's much bigger than I thought it would be and some neat animals that happened to all be playing at my visit.

Was in Madison for a weekend and had some a few hours to kill before dinner. Saw a sign for the zoo and decided to stop. We are glad we did. Don’t listen to the reviews that say that it’s depressing. It’s really not. We felt the exhibits, especially the bears, had plenty of room to roam around. The rhino exhibit also had plenty of room as well. The lion cubs were playing with each other and were very active.
We went on a chilly late Saturday afternoon and there was a nice number of families there. I would imagine it’s a lot busier during warmer days. Parking is very limited however

Small, yet nice zoo. Lots of great animal exhibits. Easy to walk around. Family friendly. Free entry fee is very nice. A really nice way to spend a few hours.

Yes, it's always nice to have FREE things to do when you're out of town spending your money in business establishments to help the local economy, but some times free doesn't pan out.

Easily I'm comparing this to our two hometown zoos in the Chicagoland area along with the fabulous and FREE zoo in St Louis.

Henry Vilas zoo simply falls flat. The smallish at most two hours needed is not the concern, but what appeared to be an area that could really use some updating and cleaning is. We felt somewhat sad to see the condition of some of the living arangements for the reptiles and disappointed in the condition of the grounds.

Again, we know it was free... but clearly other free zoos, it might just be a need of new employees or management.

In late August 2019, my teenage daughter and I visited the Zoo as we were taking a break during a road trip. It was quite a delight! The weather was dreary, so there were not many visitors, but this was okay by us as it just meant we could fully explore without a crowd. It was fun to see the various animals - this zoo has animals we don't have in our home zoo (Nashville, Tennessee). The Zoo is easy to walk around and though not very large - was well worth the visit. What a great place to have with free admission! Definitely take the time to go by if you are in the area!

We went as soon as they opened even though it rained off and on. It still had a lot of people. At first, many of the animals weren't out due to the rain, but we ended up seeing everything the zoo had to offer; besides, the badgers were the only animal that didn't come out. Unfortunately (for my girlfriend), the reptile building was closed due to maintenance, but a staff member explained the reasoning thoroughly. We ended up staying a couple of hours and walked 3 miles.

This has been a favorite of ours for years in the Madison area. The size of the zoo is extremely walkable, even for young children. The upgrades that have been made are wonderful, particularly the polar bear habitat. Parking is a little difficult to find, depending on the day of the week, but the admission being free offsets that!

A free zoo sounds great. Certainly a good trip for the kids and I guess that the animals are well cared for - they just did not look very happy in their surroundings!

This is a small zoo with lots to see. The grounds are pretty. Parking can be a problem on a busy day. Within walking distance of Monroe Street and its attractions.

Took about 90 minutes. Everything is in close proximity. Few animals not visible as was a hot day. Best part was the baby orangutan.

Outstanding small zoo dedicated to families ... we were impressed with the variety of animals as well as nice environments. It must take a lot of effort and dedication to run a zoo strictly on donations from the public .. Admission is free and a donation is appreciated

This zoo is so peaceful and welcoming. And it's FREE! It was a brief respite from staying with a family member in the hospital. For awhile a walk in the park and zoo took us away. It's a wonderful zoo and well worth a visit.

This zoo is free. As a free zoo I have ZERO complaints. But I will share what I saw. The size is above what I expected. A sprawling campus. There are some brand new nearly state of the art enclosures and buildings. There are MANY empty or terribly rundown areas. It was night and day between some areas. I would not seek this zoo out. But if you have time to kill.....

What a great zoo in Madison. The animals are close. A very nice variety. It is very walkable. We enjoyed it and would definitely come back. It was free too. They encourage you to make donations. I am sure it costs a lot of money to care for these animals.

We drove from Milwaukee to see again----one of only 10 free zoos in America----amazing how nice the animals enclosures are--especially considering it's free to get in---unheard of in todays world. We hit it at a bad time--covid in May of 2021 still has anything inside a building closed---and we showed up about 1 1/2 hours before closing so some of the outside animals were slowing being put inside for the evening--so don't go just before closing----we'll have to back when everything opens up and not late in the day--we'll be back

We love this zoo!! Went with my boys who were then 6 and 9. Spent the day there. Very well-kept and clean. Very affordable for a family. Great playscape. Will be back!

If you are someone who truly cares about animals, skip this place. The exotics do not have nearly enough room. I watched a large cat who was definitely traumatized, pacing. Yes it's free, but the animals are not the zoo's priority. It's all about raising money. There are plenty of other Madison attractions to see.

I love it is free admission ( donation ) and very close to downtown! If you are tired of the restaurants and beers lol, it is the fun place to hang out for two hours! There are many cool and adorable animals in the zoo as well as resting cafe space! Definitely worthy to go!

We had a couple of hours to kill so we stopped by this Zoo. They had quite a few different animals in very nice, natural settings. The grounds are very clean and well kept with snacks and soft drinks available. We talked with several of the staff members about the animals and watched as they gave the Giraffe a hoof manicure. Great place to take the kids and grand kids.

This is a great place to go if you have a short time available and a strict budget. It's easy to get in, see what you want to see, and get out. Without breaking the bank! My daughter and I had a great time visiting the zoo. It was a short trip, but worth it!

Nice free zoo for family fun. The zoo is clean and laid out well. There is a good collection of exotic animals.

Wife and I went here. The place is nice and clean. Has a nice variety of animals in nice exhibits. the only negative is parking is horrible. I would definetly check this place out.

Loved going to this zoo! Clean and great employees. Lots to do and see. Very kid friendly. I will be back!

This was a nice little zoo with a darling children's section and a beautiful new merry-go=round. Unfortunately , some of the attractions were not available , which was disappointing. Obviously, it can't compare with a zoo like the Portland zoo, but the fact that it is free, is really unusual these days, so you really can't complain much.

Just visited with a friend from Madison.
What charming place! And Free admission! If you enjoy your visit please donate generously.😀👍

Free zoo with free parking so what more can you want?.animals seemed to be as well kept as any decent zoo(seen better,but seen many more worse [or much worse-was in Russia last year] ),went late August mid week,so parked no problem at 9.30am.filled 2hrs .

Hi I love the zoo but I really was sad to see the lack of space for the giraffe. Please make them a priority when you get the funding. The area is so small indoors for the size of animals. I know it is cold out and they can't be out. It is really sad to see them just sitting in one spot.

We are from northern IL and frequent the Henry Vilas Zoo. This zoo along with everything to do in Madison and the fact that we always want to escape IL is why we make the drive frequently. Parking is a matter of chance and luck, but free none the less, so no big deal. If you can't find parking in their small lot, there's plenty on the surrounding streets. We recommend adding some cash to their donation box immediately by the main entrance. Being a free zoo, and a good one too, we throw $5 or so in to help things along here. The money is well worth it when you see the joy of our kids and the many others throughout the zoo on a daily basis. Being a small zoo, the trip takes about a couple of hours. They have a carousel and a "train" ride near the petting zoo along with a play area for the kids. Amongst this are brilliant flamingos and some primates. Walking from this area are seals, bison, sandhill cranes and both polar and grizzly bears. They also have exhibits for giraffes, rhino, lions and prairie dogs among a few others. This zoo is definitely worth a half day, especially if you have kids. Very enjoyable.

You would never know you are at a “free” zoo, the simple free offer made me give money to the cause, and the experience made me give more money on the way out just because a place like this should stay open. Most of the major animals and some that your big zoos may not even have. Some exhibits are older and some are updated and brand new but the up close experiences are much better than most zoos

We had a wonderful time we experienced a tiger and lion roaring which was a first for us! The animals were great! Our children enjoyed the carousel and the train! Extremely neat place! Food was a little more costly, but it was free to get in so I could justify buying the food!! We had a wonderful day!

We’ve been going to “our zoo” for 23 years and we never grow tired of it. We brought our kids a lot when they were young and now we go as a couple (now that they are older). It’s a wonderful zoo and it’s free! I highly recommend it. We always bring out-of-town guests and show them our wonderful zoo.

We love going to zoo's and this is one of the best ones around and its free!! They have a wonderful staff! Parking is a little tricky.

Good size for spending about 2-3 hours while in the area. Don't miss the kids area with fun play area, train rides, and carousel.

This is the first time I had been to this zoo.
Great thing about this zoo is it is free but please make donations because they still have to feed the animals. Animals are well kept and habitats are clean. Anyone up close to madison, Wisconsin make a point to go to the zoo. They have lions, a tiger,bears, penguins and more.

This was one of our last stops on our 17 day road trip, and we knew that the kids would be incredibly excited to see the penguins since it's their favorite animal and we don't have them at our own zoo. Unfortunately, they weren't out. We were told by a staff member that they sometimes are put out around 11, so we waited and kept checking, but no penguins. I wish they would have it posted somewhere if they won't have them out. Our kids were very disappointed.

However, we enjoyed walking around the rest of the zoo. The polar bear swimming was fun to watch!

The parking lot is small, but I had read that online so we knew to look in the neighborhood for 2 hour parking instead.

Wonderful for a free morning out!

We had about a hour to kill so stopped at the zoo. It is a small zoo so it is easy to walk around for little kids and older adults. Just a few of the animals we saw were polar bear, seal, buffalo, a large turtle, grizzly bears and more.
If you need a wheel chair you pay them 10.00 and then when you drop off the wheel chair and show them your receipt they refund 5.00
Get there early to get a good parking spot.

Pleasant outing with relatives on a hot day. Surprisingly good for a small zoo. Well managed, with friendly staff and good signage. We enjoyed the visit. Completely free (amazing in this day and age), but dependent on contributions... be generous!

Love that it is free. Great variety of animals, but love the bears the most. It is great to that there is a picnic area.

Decent zoo, good for smaller kids. Although it’s "free" there's a $2 per person recommended donation that is "required".

I'm new to Wisconsin, but I'm falling in love with all the FREE and beautiful places to visit. This place is amazing. Cheap snack bar food too!

I've visited this zoo since I came to Madison in 1975 for graduate work. Now I visit with my grandchildren. I am impressed by the changes made over the years to educate the public and improve the animal areas

This zoo is small but was really cool. It is well kept up and a good size for smaller kids who can’t walk around for hours looking at things.

last minute plans to go to the zoo. What a beautiful day we had. The zoo is worth it and it was a memorable experience.

More than a decade has passed since I last visited the zoo. There are new buildings, animals, and exhibits. We had a good time. Saw the polar bear, lions, penguins, giraffes, monkeys, birds, and tiger up close. We also visited the ape. Good way to spend the day with children or personal observation.

A surprisingly big zoo right in the heart of Madison! Very well attended the day we went (apparently a lot of school field trips there!) even though it was overcast. Many varieties of animals both outdoors and indoors. Nice signage for each animal. They also sold food and had a gift shop. Would definitely recommend for anyone visiting Madison!

Great family destination. We went right as it opened at 930 and a lot of animals were just getting fed. For a Saturday it wasn't horribly crowded and the wait for the kid's train wasn't all that bad even. We stayed until around 130, so much to see for a free zoo

Very nice zoo. Is a free zoo which makes it even better. A nice place to spend a little free time. Food and drinks not overly priced. Could get through the entire place easily in less than 1 hour

This is a wonderful small zoo that is still free. I have been visiting this zoo since the 70's and still enjoy it today. A lot has changed over the years, but it is still very enjoyable. Small space with lots to see. Kids enjoyed seeing the many animals. I no longer live in Madison, but make it a point to visit the zoo when ever I go home.

We visited the Zoo 3rd week in March,2019. Most attractions were open yet some were not due to the late spring. That being said in addition to the Rhino habitat under construction made for some disappointments. Also the children's playground was not open yet. It was a beautiful day and the lions were basking in the sun! The seals were playful and we managed to see the grizzly bears playfully wrestle around.The giraffes were stretching their necks. Penguins waddling around checking the water for a possible dip. Be careful so you are not caught Monkeying around! Lol! There is really so much to see and learn for children. The can get overwhelmed. And did I mention it is a free attraction! It makes for a great family outing.

What a wonderful time we had at the zoo today. First it is outstanding family fun and education that is free (donations accepted). We spent a few hours checking out all of the great animal exhibits and even had lunch while watching a polar bear.

Free small zoo that is the perfect size for small children. We went on a weekday and it was nearly empty and felt like we had the place to ourselves. The staff was very friendly and had a wide variety of animals.

it is a small zoo so it will most likely take you the morning to go through it. also it as parking there.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is truly a Madison gem. It’s a fantastic way to burn a few hours in the afternoon and the exhibits are fantastic. Highly recommend getting there right away at opening as parking can be a bit of a nightmare on the weekends. If coming during the winter, the Zoo Lights are a must see. So thankful to have such a wonderful and FREE attraction made available to me in Madison.

I have to start by saying I am not a big fan of zoos. I find myself enjoying the leisurely stroll through the free Henry Vilas Zoo with my friends and their kids. It does not feel big and overwhelming, and can easily be a quick stop or a 2-3 hour visit. I like the options of the train and the kids playground for additional activities. It is near the Wingra Beach and a playground at Vilas Park. Great for an afternoon day trip.

It has free admission with donation spots all over. They have a nice little gift shop and a snack bar. The zoo has lots of animals, but you can easily see everything within a few hours.

We spent a few hours at the zoo. The parking lot is small, but we found a nearby side street where we can park. The zoo has a nice variety of different animals and there was also a fun playground, carousel and train, the latter two charged a small fee. If your kids enjoy pressed pennies, there are several options. We enjoyed our visit!

Small Zoo with limited number of animals. Orangutan, flamingos, penguins and lions are special attractions for the kids.

If you don’t get there before they open you will not find parking. Plan to walk from surrounding area. Zoo is free. Small zoo that is perfect for little kids. This might be a let down if you have been to larger zoos. Giraffe was not there.

1. It is free !
2. It is a nice size
3. It is well maintained
4. It is a nice environment
5. It is family/kid friendly

We took my niece her husband and her daughter to the zoo this summer and they absolutely loved it. We're originally from Chicago so they are used to going to Lincoln Park and Brookfield Zoo. My niece insisted that this zoo was much better. The little ones can get eye level with most of the animals and there is a wonderful children's zoo too. We didn't know when we went that there is a beach right across the street. We'll definitely be doing that next summer. Also, the snack bar had some pretty healthy choices (and Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, too). Highly recommend this zoo even on a Saturday afternoon the crowds were manageable and friendly.

Great place very clean! Great for children & adults!
Free parking. Located near Lake Mendota with nice beach!

The Madison area is lucky to have not only a free zoo but an exceptional one that is accredited. As this review written in February shows, unlike many similar-sized facilities, the Vilas Zoo is open all year, even in winter.
Interestingly, many of the animals were quite active during our stay. In fact, certain animals seemed to enjoy the chilly temperatures such as the polar bear and tiger. Critters that need a warm environment have plenty of well-maintained inside exhibits, including a tropical rain forest, herpaterium, and ape house.
The zoo has excellent exhibit signage that is both informative and engaging. The signs even feature the fun names given to each animal, such as "Bandit," for the red panda.
Vilas Zoo is conveniently located near downtown and provides not only a free zoo experience but free parking as well.

What a pleasant zoo that is donation based. You will have to be creative with parking and most likely park on a side street. Stroller friendly zoo allows for fun for the whole family. Train ride and carousel are 1 token each so $3 per rider. Train ride is more for the fun of the ride not so much the view or length. The giraffe at the zoo is astounding. It will try to reach the leaves on the top branches and with the fencing the way it is you can get an amazing picture. There is a beach across from the zoo that allows for swimming. We did not do this but perhaps on a future trip. You can bring snacks in as well.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is not only fun, it is also 100% free! Great for families with kids! We always have a blast every time we go!

Nice little zoo with surprising number of unique animals not found in other zoos. Giraffe, Polar Bear, Flamingos, Tiger, Lion, & Rhinos. Free admission (free will) well worth a hour or two visit. Glad we stopped.

This zoo is free which is great for someone who is on a budget. It is really clean and the staff is really knowable about the animals. I liked that when you bought food there that it all went to all the animals. For being a free zoo there was a lot to do there and a lot of cool animals to see. All the exhibits were cleaned really well too.

Lots of recent renovations make this a great FREE activity. A unique carosel (costs extra) is a highlight for my kids. They also have a train, gem mining and goat feeding for a small fee.
During summer months, bring a lunch and stop across the street for a swim in the lake.

Visited this zoo during a free day in Madison. We have been to many zoos across the country and this one is above average even compared to ones that charge. It is extremely good for families with children because they have several areas to really hold the interest of young people. Very clean and well maintained.

My family really loved this zoo we are zoo people wasn't real big but we enjoyed ourselves and the best part was it was free !!!we were there early enough no need for paid parking enjoyed our time there before heading to th capital building to check it out

My wife and I enjoyed a lot this zoo. And we were pleased that it is completely free! (Some small zoos charge a high price!). Very enjoyable afternoon!

Took our two grandkids there and it was both their first visits to a zoo. What a wonderful day. Smiles everywhere. They are asking when we are gping again!

I would rate it a 5 except for 2 things first the place is clean and well laid out with places to sit rest and tables to picnic at. Second it is free you don’t find that much anymore. The animals that were there were active. Two bad things. Drinks and food were expensive. 5.50 for a bottle of water. I would suggest you bring your own food and drinks. Second was lots of animals were not there so a little disappointed about that. Overall nice place to take the family.

I was VERY impressed by this zoo. Since it does not charge admission, I was not expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it quite large, but the animal enclosures were very good and the walkways were wide. It was well cared for and quite busy. Even the good wasn't outrageously priced. They do accept donations and I felt compelled to add more on my way out. It was a very worthwhile visit.