This FREE Madison Zoo Is One of the Best Things to Do with Kids
Visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo with Kids: What to Know Before You Go
If you’re looking for one of the best free things to do with kids in Madison, Wisconsin, the Henry Vilas Zoo is a must-visit.
Located in a beautiful Madison park near Lake Wingra, this free zoo spans acres of land and is home to hundreds of animals from across North America and beyond. It’s a great place for the whole family…whether you’re planning a full day outing or just looking for an easy, low-cost activity with kids of all ages.
Free admission doesn’t mean small or simple here. With natural habitats, big cats exhibits, indoor buildings filled with tropical plants, and hands-on learning through educational programs, it’s an experience that blends fun with wildlife conservation.
We recently visited and spent about 2.5 hours exploring and still didn’t quite see everything. If you’re planning a visit, here’s what to know before you go.
Why the Henry Vilas Zoo Is One of the Best Free Zoos in Wisconsin
One of the biggest draws of the Henry Vilas Zoo is the free admission, which makes it an easy and accessible outing for families and or a larger group.
But beyond that, it’s genuinely a great zoo.
There are multiple buildings, an award-winning Arctic Passage Exhibit, a children’s zoo (which includes the Conservation Carousel and zoo train), and a wide variety of animals. It feels spacious, well-kept, and very family-friendly (did I mention there’s a playground?).
It’s a place we like to come back to multiple times a year without it getting old.
What to Know Before You Go to the Henry Vilas Zoo
Is the Henry Vilas Zoo Really Free?
Yes! Admission is completely free, and there are also 2 free parking lots nearby, which is a huge bonus. After the lots fill up, there is plenty of on-street parking close by, but just be aware you may be parking blocks away so bring your stroller if needed.
There are a few optional paid extras (like the train and carousel), but you can absolutely enjoy a full visit without spending anything.
Best Time to Visit the Henry Vilas Zoo
Because it’s a wonderful place to go with kids, and located in a larger city like Madison, it does get pretty busy especially on weekends and during peak summer months.
As locals, we usually try to go during the week when we can. If your schedule allows, visiting in the “off-season” (like April, May, or September) is even better.
That said, we still visit in the summer and have a great time, it just helps to go in knowing it might be a little more crowded.
Expect a Lot of Walking
In the big scheme of things, it may not be considered a ‘big’ zoo…but compared to anything we have in Sauk County or nearby, this zoo is bigger than many people expect. Be prepared to do quite a bit of walking if you want to see everything. And if your young children are anything like mine, you’ll be going to the train, and then the polar bears, back to the flamingos, to the bathroom, to the primate building, etc… By the time we left last time my legs were getting pretty tired but I laughed imagining if I could see our footsteps on a Google map…we were walking around with no rhyme or reason.
That said, it’s laid out in a way that feels manageable, and there are plenty of spots to sit, take a break, or grab a snack along the way.
Animals and Exhibits at the Henry Vilas Zoo
The Henry Vilas Zoo is home to over 650 animals from all over the world. There’s a great mix of animals here, including some bigger ones kids get really excited about.
- African lions
- Grizzly bears
- American alligators
- Monkeys (and usually a baby monkey in the spring, which is always fun to watch!)
- Red panda
- and so many more
There are also multiple indoor exhibits, including a tropical rainforest aviary, primate building, and a reptile building, which are great to check out, especially on hotter or cooler days.
Train Ride, Carousel, and Kid-Friendly Activities
A couple fun extras that kids love include the train ride and carousel. For a couple bucks you can purchase tickets for riding. The train ride is short (around 6–7 minutes) and not super elaborate, but for little kids, it’s still a highlight. They play fun music and you pass by a few animals along the way. It’s a great way to take a little break while exploring the zoo.
There is also a playground, herd of goats, wooden tractor, and more in the children’s zoo.
Food, Amenities, and Seasonal Events
The zoo is very family-friendly when it comes to food and breaks. You’ll find plenty of picnic tables and seating areas and my son loves for us to bring a picnic or some favorite snacks to take a little break at one of their picnic tables. There are also options to purchase snacks, sandwiches, and ice cream. They have extremely delicious ice cream (although it’s expensive!) if you’re looking for a special treat.
There are multiple bathrooms throughout the zoo, and they’ve always been clean and easy to access during our visits.
Make sure to check out their calendar for their seasonal events which includes Zoo Lights, a Mother’s Day Brunch, and more!
Playgrounds and Nearby Things to Do in Madison
One of the best parts about this zoo is how easy it is to make it part of a bigger outing. If you’re making a day of it around Henry Vilas Zoo, here are some easy add-ons nearby:
- Stroll or picnic at Vilas Park
- Walk the path around Lake Wingra
- Visit Madison Children’s Museum for indoor play
- Explore the beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Grab food or ice cream on State Street
- Stop by Memorial Union Terrace for lake views + snacks
Super easy to mix 1–2 of these in and turn it into a full day
We always have a great time at the Henry Vilas Zoo, and it’s a fun outing that’s hard to beat…especially since it’s free.
It’s big enough to feel like a full outing, but easy enough to visit regularly without it feeling like a big production. My legs are always tired by the end, which feels like a good sign of a successful day with kids.
Living a short drive from a place like this is something we definitely don’t take for granted!
