Henry Vilas Zoo — Attraction in Madison

Henry Vilas Zoo is one of the most special places in Madison and it never fails to make me appreciate how fortunate we are to have it. The fact that admission and parking are free is incredible, because it means anyone can enjoy a day here without worrying about cost. That openness sets the tone for the entire experience.

The zoo may not be the largest, but it is full of thoughtful touches and memorable experiences. The Arctic Passage is a must-see, with polar bears, grizzly bears, and harbor seals in a space that feels fresh and engaging. Kids light up when they see the big Arctic truck parked in the exhibit area, a fun detail that adds to the atmosphere. The Children’s Zoo is another favorite, with friendly goats to feed, a red barn, and space for little ones to explore. The playground is a big hit for burning off extra energy, and the carousel and train ride are simple joys that make the day even more special.

Inside exhibits are just as impressive as the outdoor spaces. The tropical rainforest aviary surrounds you with colorful birds and capybaras. The primate house lets you watch curious monkeys and apes up close. The herpetarium is filled with fascinating reptiles and amphibians, and the Discovery Center offers hands-on learning that sparks curiosity for all ages.

The zoo’s layout is easy to navigate, with shaded spots to rest, clean facilities, and wide walkways that make it comfortable for strollers and wheelchairs. Every visit feels relaxed and welcoming, whether you’re here for a quick afternoon or a full day of exploring.

Henry Vilas Zoo is more than just a collection of animals. It is a community treasure where families make memories, children learn to appreciate wildlife, and visitors of all ages can feel a little closer to nature. It’s a place built on care, conservation, and the idea that everyone should have access to something wonderful. Visiting here is a reminder that the best experiences in life don’t have to come with a price tag. This is a place worth returning to again and again, no matter how many times...

I absolutely adore this Zoo. The whole family and I love to come in and say hi to the critters on Christmas every year. They close all the stores so I think it's mostly just so they can feed the animals, since they close at noon. I still appreciate the time, because we always get Chinese food after, so having to leave at noon is perfect.

While I understand the whole "Wild animals shouldn't be kept in enclosures" I believe they focus more on rehab animals that can't go in the wild anyways, and they're all well taken care of. For example they used to have a bird who was found in a park/parking lot nearby that either couldn't or wouldn't leave on its own, so they built an enclosure just for them and spoiled them as best as possible, until they found the best place for them.

Overall they obviously don't do it for the money since they don't charge you to come in, or demand donations. There are a bunch of donation boxes, but it's not large neon signs or aggressive signs making you feel bad for not giving them money.

Short version, I adore this place. I've been coming here for years, possibly decades. To the point where one of my favorite bits of trivia about myself is that I share a birthday (day, month, and even year) with one of the animals). We may or may not be planning a trip to spend a birthday with them in the...

We had a great time at the zoo! There’s so much to see and do and the animals were very active. I took my daughter here for a girls day and we loved it. It’s free to enter but would be worth the admission fee if there was one! They had someone stamping hands when you enter and my daughter thought it was so cool to choose her own stamp. We went to see the tigers first and the tiger was eating which was cool to watch. We then went to the primate exhibit and they were all so active and entertaining. There were 3 orangutans, one being a baby. Mama carried her baby to the top of her habitat and it was so cool to watch her teach baby how to climb. We watched for quite some time! We were there from open (9:30am) to about 2:30pm and we got to see every exhibit and stop for lunch and ice cream. Our favorites were the orangutans and the bats. It was so cool to see the bats be so active and up close. We would go again and again! The female lion was pretty vocal which was cool to hear. Also, the food in the Glacier Grille is delicious also and you can see into the polar bear exhibit. The polar bear did come out and roll around in the grass for a bit while we ate! You definitely won’t be bored...