Henry Vilas Zoo

Don'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!

Great 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.

Considering 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.

Cool 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 ????

Excellent 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!

Go 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 .

The family friendly areas to strip never people being mean and or inappropriate when I go with my family

Nice place for families, and summer outings. Great location with plenty of room for picnics and exploring.

A great free zoo . If you get a snow cone ask for extra flavor, otherwise you'll pretty much just get ice.

Small but free. Also with a large playground . A good place to kill a couple hours

Nice little zoo . It's the best, free zoo I've ever visited.

Small parking lot , but a great zoo and conveniently located next to a park for the kids to enjoy!

Visit the tapirs. I think they've been bullied into submission by the natural predator and neighbor the tiger. They could use some love.

Great zoo to go to on a nice summer day.

Awesome free zoo ! The new arctic section in the back is great

Henry 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

I really love the new animals they bring, and the cool exhibits .

Great zoo and it's free

Such a lovely zoo and it's free!

Can't beat a free zoo ! The new tundra exhibit is great!

It's a great zoo to take the young kids.

Free admission . Every exotic animal you could hope to see at a zoo !

Great place to take the family!

Perfect size for little kids! Awesome play area !

Love that it's free, and it's a decent sized zoo as well .

FREE! 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 !

Great zoo amd free! New polar bear exhibit

Not bad for a free zoo ! My son loved all the exhibits !!

Good Selection. And it's free. One of a few nice thing madtown has to offer

The 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.

Love this zoo ! It's free!

Awesome place to take the little ones and its free!!

Awesome for families or anybody!

Been going since I was little, and still enjoy it today!

Free admission and never really crowded .

Great zoo , can't wait until the new bear exhibit is done!

Kegan sometimes begs to go here! It's a lot of fun to take kids there or just walk around...

Free! Great place for a family trip!

Awesome check out the yoohoos in the gift shop !

Great; free zoo .

Free admission and parking ! This is a nice zoo , lots of animals and you MUST check out the Prarie dogs!

Zoo closes at 5 weekdays, but most of the exhibits close at 4.

Love the free zoo

Free zoo variety of animals

Free, educational and fun

Made a the weekend a little vacation and stopped at the zoo

The animals are all asleep but their backsides are cute enough to photograph .