Important Reminder:The Foursquare City Guide app officially sunset on December 15, 2024, with the web version following in early 2025. However, your check-in journey doesn’t end here! Join us on Swarm, where new adventures await.Henry Vilas Zoo
Zoo
Vilas, Madison
"It's the best, free zoo I've ever visited."(14 Tips)
"We loved eating in the Glacier Cafe & watching the Polar Bears."(6 Tips)
"Free admission and never really crowded."(4 Tips)
"Great zoo, can't wait until the new bear exhibit is done!"(3 Tips)
74 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- polar bear
- zoos
- picnics
- free admission
- trails
- (12 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
IshmaelDecember 28, 2015Don't be scared to go during the winter. Bears, red pandas, tiger, and penguins are all active. Warm up in the herpetarium and aviary.
It's free! Sometimes it seems like half of the place is empty but it's still worth coming to. Lots of activities for kids. Plus the different buildings have a lot to offer. I love the flamingos!
Tricia RaeSeptember 17, 2012Great experience for a free zoo (better than several we've paid to visit); had ages 3 to 12 with us and all loved it. Recommend to anyone site-seeing in Madison with kids.- Ashley CSeptember 13, 2015Considering that this zoo is free, it's fantastic. My 18 mth old daughter enjoyed it thoroughly. We loved eating in the Glacier Cafe & watching the Polar Bears. Bathrooms could use some TLC though.
Catador CavernarioAugust 3, 2021Cool thing: you will be able to see many animals like 🦁, 🐯, 🐻, 🦒, 🦭, etc. The bad: those animals are caged anyway, apart of their habitat, living in another ecosystem in a short space 😔
Kyle LabowskiApril 1, 2017Excellent so, especially for the cost. Parking is hard to come by in the summer. The otters are almost never out, but the polar bears are great fun to watch!
Danielle BrockmanApril 25, 2012Go early in the morning, like before 11 AM, when the animals are all awake. This zoo is free and is way better than any of the zoos I've paid admission for. Lots of different animals!
Free zoo! The new polar and grizzly bear exhibit is awesome. Visiting in the winter is fun too. Lots of indoor exhibits.
Zara QuamNovember 1, 2015The family friendly areas to strip never people being mean and or inappropriate when I go with my family
Joanna MerrillMarch 9, 2015Nice place for families, and summer outings. Great location with plenty of room for picnics and exploring.
Lauren SigfussonAugust 25, 2015A great free zoo. If you get a snow cone ask for extra flavor, otherwise you'll pretty much just get ice.
Amy RobertsonSeptember 19, 2017Small but free. Also with a large playground. A good place to kill a couple hours
Samantha Nerison-RolingAugust 8, 2014Small parking lot, but a great zoo and conveniently located next to a park for the kids to enjoy!
Jason SymesAugust 18, 2013Visit the tapirs. I think they've been bullied into submission by the natural predator and neighbor the tiger. They could use some love.
Awesome free zoo! The new arctic section in the back is great
madison.comJune 1, 2011Henry Vilas Zoo receives over 500,000 visitors annually & is one of a few free zoos in the world. For news, sports & entertainment on your mobile phone, including zoo news, download our free app! Read more
Kristin HarrisJuly 14, 2012FREE! Great place to take the whole family while pinching pennies. The food is good and not expensive.
Any proceeds from concession and gift shop sales go directly to the zoo!
Christy SmithMay 31, 2010The tapir's name is Snorkle and is so cute! And prepare to smell like goat food all day if you feed them... But totally worth it.
Joel CrawfordDecember 14, 2011Kegan sometimes begs to go here! It's a lot of fun to take kids there or just walk around...
Lisa MatsonApril 25, 2010Free admission and parking! This is a nice zoo, lots of animals and you MUST check out the Prarie dogs!
461 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Open until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
(608) 266-4732
Features
Credit Cards
Yes
See More
Places inside Henry Vilas Zoo
You might also like
- 8.9
"Bring your hiking boots - over 20 miles worth of trails!"
Rachel Andrews - 9.0
"Bike trails, walking beautiful zoo with beautiful giraffes, monkeys, & all types of animals!! Beautiful ponds and a beach!! My favorite park in Madison"
NoirSocialite - 8.5
"Fantastic park, great view of the city. Rented the pavilion a few years ago and got married in it. Perfect location for a wedding."
Jason Konen
Places people like to go after Henry Vilas Zoo
- 8.4
"A surprisingly fresh and light place for lunch. Also they have some amazing looking layer cakes to tempt you"
Amy Robertson 
"Check out the giant shoe and go for a slide. Each year the Madison Art Cart and local kids paint it a different theme."
DK Gebler- 8.9
"Lots of interesting, new products to check out and try. The BEST place to get sun-dried tomatoes for an excellent price!"
Amy Lang
Appears on 95 lists
Created by DK Gebler
52 items • 39 followers
Created by Sue Kozubek
10 items • 33 followers
Hang With Baby Giraffes and Giant Pandas
Created by Foursquare City Guide
40 items • 56 followers