Free Zoo Number Two For You To Do In Madison – Woohoo!

It was a hot, beautiful day for our last morning in Wisconsin. I’d heard, while staying at the Super 8 in Wausau WI, that the FREE zoo in Madison WI was not to be missed. The Henry Vila’s Zoo was much more zoo than park, especially when compared to Irvine Zoo near Eau Claire.

First I’ll give you a quick tour of the zoo in pictures, then you can see many of the great animals I saw.

The Henry Vilas Zoo had good parking. But it was full as you can see, so I parked on a nearby residential street with free 2-3 hour parking. There was plenty of parking a short distance away from the zoo and park entrance. Both the zoo and the parking are FREE – a $2 donation is requested but not required, and you can pay to feed goats, pan for gems and much more.

One of the nice things about the zoo was that there was so much space to eat, sit in the shade and relax. It was busy the morning I went but not uncomfortably so; that’s because the park and zoo are large enough to spread everyone out nicely.

A six spout water fountain (or bubbler as Wisconsiners? Wisconsinites? call it).

One of the Bucky Badgers that are currently on parade in Madison is also spending time at the zoo!

There was a Children’s Zoo within the larger zoo that had a play area, petting zoo, carousel and gem panning area.

The Arctic area had a large eating area and an educational exhibit about studying polar bears. Eating areas are available around the zoo, as well as gift shops and kiosks. It has a very ‘zoo’ feel while being a free park. You can spend as much or as little money as you’d like when you visit.

Overall, the enclosures were a decent size. I always get concerned with smaller zoos; I do prefer large habitat style enclosures, but the Henry Vilas Zoo did a nice job of balancing the existing space with the animal’s needs.

Outside the zoo is a larger open space for picnics, play and enjoying all that the waterfront park has to offer.

And now on to the best part of any zoo… the critters.

As many of you loyal readers know, I’m a proud Hufflepuff. Our mascot is a badger. Badgers are both fluffy and fierce. I might be a bit heavy on the badger pics for a minute.

Sorry to badger you with those! A few final animals.

I was at the zoo for a total of an hour and 15 minutes and it was well worth the trip. There was more at the zoo that I could’ve seen, but it was moving day for us so there wasn’t time. I also got to see all of the animals that were out and about. There were others that I didn’t get good pictures of, so you’ll have to visit the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin to see what you missed.

Address

Henry Vilas Zoo, 702 S Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715