Frequently asked Questions about the Henry Vilas Zoo

WHEN IS THE ZOO OPEN?
The Zoo grounds are open from 9:30am-5:00pm every day. Zoo building hours are 10am-4pm.
EXCEPTIONS: The Zoo closes at noon on the following holidays, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, 31, January 1 & Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

IS THERE AN ADMISSION FEE?
No, admission and parking are always free. We graciously accept donations.

WHERE'S THE ZOO?
702 South Randall Avenue, Madison, WI 53715-1665

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From I-90/I-39 or I-94

• Take exit to Hwy 12/14/18 West.
• From 12/14/18, Exit at Park Street, North.
• Remain on Park Street for approximately 1.7 miles to Drake Street.
• Turn left onto Drake Street. There is a Zoo sign at the intersection of Park & Drake Streets.
• Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The main Zoo parking lot is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.

From 151 North

• Take exit to Hwy 12/14/18 East.
• From 12/14/18, Exit at Park Street, North.
• Remain on Park Street for approximately 1.7 miles to Drake Street.
• Turn left onto Drake Street. There is a Zoo sign at the intersection of Park & Drake Streets.
• Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The main Zoo parking lot is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.

From 151 South

• Remain on Highway 151 through the city until it becomes Park Street.
• From Park Street, turn right on Drake Street.
• Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The main Zoo parking lot is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.

Public Transportation
Madison Metro has several routes that will get you within a five to six blocks of the Zoo.
We do encourage you to use the bus as an easy, efficient way to get to your free Zoo.

As bus schedules are subject to vary and change based on the day of travel, please visit Madison Metro to get the most up-to-date routes and bus schedules to the Henry Vilas Zoo. At this website, please click on "Routes/Destinations", and then select "Popular Destinations".

WHAT KINDS OF ANIMALS DO YOU HAVE AT THE ZOO?
Aldabra Tortoise, Alpacas, American Alligators, Badger, Bats, Bison, Birds (exotic & birds of prey) Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, Bactrian Camels, Capybara, Chimpanzees, Colobus Monkeys, Cotton topped Tamarin, Emu, Fish, Flamingoes, Frogs, Giraffes, Goats, Golden Lion Tamarins, Hedgehogs, Iguana, Insects, Kangaroos, Lemur, Lions (African), Ostrich, Otters, Penguins, Red Panda, Rhea, Rhinoceros, Seals, Sheep, Snakes, Swans (black), Tapir (Mayalan), Turtles, Wallabies.

DOES THE ZOO PROVIDE STROLLERS AND WHEELCHAIRS?
Yes. Strollers and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Gift Shop. The cost is $4 per day. You must also leave a driver's license, which you will get back upon returning the stroller or wheelchair.

DO YOU HAVE A LOST AND FOUND?
Yes, the Zoo receives many lost items every week. If you lost an item at the Zoo, call 258-9490 to report the item, the date you lost it and your telephone number. A Zoological staff member will call you back if the item is found. After one month, unclaimed items are donated to Goodwill.

DO YOU HAVE A GIFT SHOP?
Yes, the gift shop is open from 9:30am-5:00pm daily all year round.

CAN I BUY FOOD AT THE ZOO?
Yes. The Concessions stand is open from 9:30am-5:00pm daily, weather permitting, April through October. Zoo concessions offers a wide range of great snacks and meal choices at reasonable prices.

CAN I BRING FOOD INTO THE ZOO?
Because the Henry Vilas Zoo is free, it is preferred that you support Zoo Concessions whenever possible. If you do bring a snack, please limit the use of lids and straws, as they are particularly dangerous to the animals.
Public grilling is not allowed on Zoo grounds. Always clean up after yourself or your group.

DO YOU ALLOW ANIMALS INTO THE ZOO?
No. For the health and safety of all the Zoo's animals, the Zoo does not allow any outside animals into the Zoo, except for certified service animals.

HOW CAN I BECOME A FRIENDS OF THE ZOO MEMBER?
Simply apply online now or call Friends of the Zoo at 258-9490! Members receive our quarterly newsletter, a monthly members-only discount at the gift shop or concessions, advance notice and discounts on summer Zoo School classes, and reciprocity admission at many Zoos nationwide.

HOW CAN I MAKE A DONATION?
You can make contributions online any time. You may also leave a gift in donation kiosks throughout the Zoo whenever you visit. You may call Friends of the Zoo office at 258-9490 to make a donation or if you have any questions about giving a gift to support our free Zoo.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RIDE THE TRAIN AND CAROUSEL?
The Train is one dollar and the carousel is one dollar. You can purchase tokens in the carousel building. All proceeds go to help fund your free Zoo!

CAN I VOLUNTEER AT THE ZOO?
Yes! Give the gift of your time for special events, grounds assistance, train, carousel, visitor services and many more. Email volunteer@vilaszoo.org, call the Society office at 258-9490 or visit the volunteer section of the website.

CAN I HOLD AN EVENT AT THE ZOO?
You may rent the large tent in the center of the Zoo for your next family reunion, birthday, anniversary or picnic. Catering is available through Zoo Concessions or our approved on-grounds caterers.
Utilizing the tent to do fund raising for organizations other than the Zoo is not permitted.

WHO OWNS THE ZOO?
The Zoo is owned and operated by Dane County, with additional funding from the city of Madison and the Friends of the Zoo.

WHO IS THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Friends of the Zoo)?
The Zoological Society also known as Friends of the Zoo, formed in 1914, is the fund raising organization for our free Zoo. The Zoological Society is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. Donations to the Zoological Society are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Zoological Society is governed by a Board of Directors, and all Zoological Society efforts are undertaken to raise funds and promote the Henry Vilas Zoo.

HOW BIG IS THE ZOO?
Henry Vilas Zoo is approximately 30 acres.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TOUR THE ZOO?
On average, you can expect to spend about an hour and one-half enjoying the Zoo.

DOES THE ZOO PROVIDE BIRTHDAY PARTIES?
No, but our Visitor Center is available for rent year-round and the Main Tent is available on a season basis. Please contact Friends of the Zoo at 258-9490 to reserve your space.

ARE THERE ANY JOB OPENINGS AT THE ZOO?
Henry Vilas Zoo is an agency of Dane County. So, please visit Dane County's job website to view any employment opportunities.

DO GROUPS NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
A reservation is not necessary to visit the Zoo. We are a free Zoo. If your school group would like an education program, a reservation is required, please call: 608 266-4732.

WHEN IS THE ZOO'S BUSIEST SEASON?
During May, the Zoo frequently has more than 150 school buses arriving at the Zoo daily. Groups are welcome to visit the zoo in the month of May, but be advised that zoo facilities, such as washrooms and picnic areas, will be very crowded.

IS THERE A CHARGE FOR PARKING A BUS?
There is no charge for bus parking, but parking is very limited. We ask that buses do not block entrances or gates.

ARE THERE DINING AREAS WHERE GROUPS CAN EAT SACK LUNCHES?
There are outdoor picnic tables at the Zoo where groups can eat sack lunches. PLEASE, clean up after your group, things left unattended such as plastic bags can find their way into animal exhibits with a gust of wind, these types of trash can be very harmful even fatal to an animal if ingested.

HOW DO WE SCHEDULE AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM?
Contact the Zoo's Education Department at 608 266-5922. There is a suggested donation of $1 per child.

ARE LOCKERS AVAILABLE?
Sorry, not at this time.

CAN I DONATE MY PET REPTILE OR BIRD TO THE ZOO?
Every year, Henry Vilas Zoo receives many kind offers from people who would like to donate their exotic pets. We understand the concern about placing their valued pets, but the Zoo is not able to accept these pets. Please contact your local Humane Society.

DO YOU HAVE A GIFT SHOP?
Yes, the gift shop is open 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily year-round, except Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, 31, January 1, and Martin Luther King Day.