10 Wisconsin zoos outside Milwaukee worth a visit (2024)

There's been a lot of exciting news lately out of the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The river otters got a new home and exhibit last summer.

This summer, the elephants got a new home in one of the biggest expansions the zoo has ever seen. Next summer, the hippos will join them in their own new exhibit.

This summer also broughtdinosaurs made out of Legos.

All that makes the Milwaukee zoo worth a trip or two or three this summer.

But there are several other zoos in Wisconsin, some you may never have heard of, that are worth a visit as well.

Racine Zoo

Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo, said the zoo has been around for 96 years, and most people don't even know it'sthere.

Heidorn, who has worked at the prestigious San Diego Zoo, said the Racine Zoo stands out to her because it's a high-quality zoo that's not overwhelming.

"What I like about this zoo is that a parent can spend two to three hours here and have a really great time,” she said. “That’s especially good for itty bitties, where their attention span is only that long."

And, during that time frame, a family can see all the animals you would associate with a world-class zoo, including tigers, monkeys and giraffes.

With a locationright on Lake Michigan, it makes for a surprisingly peaceful day at the zoo. Heidornsaid a lot of families will spend the morning seeing the animals and playing at the playground, then eat lunch at a picnic table overlooking the lake.

"You can see the sailboats on the lake, and it’s just so peaceful,” she said. “A lot of people have told me that this zoo is their happy place, and I love that it's their happy place. It's my happy place, too!"

Where: 2131 N. Main St., Racine

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 27-Oct. 6,9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Oct. 7-31,9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1 through the end of the year

Admission: $8 for adults,$6 for kids ages 3-15,free for kids 2 and underthrough Oct. 31; winter admission is$4 for adults,$3 for kids ages 3-15 andfree for kids 2 and under

Shalom Wildlife

David Fechter, the owner of Shalom Wildlife in West Bend,saidhis zoo is more like a safari.

More than 100 acres of open land havemore than 500 animals including deer, llamas, goats, bears and wolves.

Families can walk the three miles of trailsor traverse the zoo by golf cart.Along the way, they can feed the animals as well.

"People bring hot dogs to throw over the fence for the wolves. They bring celery, oranges, apples and peanut butter for the bears, and carrots for the horses and donkeys,” Fechter said. "We also sell feed that you can take with you in buckets to feed the animals along the way. If you're planning to bring in food, you can tell us what you have when you check in, and then we'll tell you which animals will eat what you brought."

Where: 1901 Shalom Drive, West Bend

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.April 27-Labor Day; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Fridayand 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday,Sept. 3-Nov. 3

Admission: $12.50per adult, $8 per child ages 3 to 12, free for children 2 and underto walk the zoo. Two-hour golf cart rentals are $30 and fit four people.

NEW Zoo and Adventure Park

Suamico'sNEWZoo and Adventure Park, like the Milwaukee County Zoo and Racine Zoo, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The zoo's director,Neil Anderson, said families love watching the penguins, and the tortoise exhibit is a favorite.

"The exhibit itself looks like a giant tortoise shell. When you look inside the exhibit, you can see the vertebrae and ribs on top of the ceiling," Anderson said."It's a great place for families to take pictures with the tortoises. Andwhen those kids grow up, they might be able to take pictures of their own kids with the same tortoises because they're one of the few animals that can live more than 100 years."

Anderson said families also like to spend a day at the zoo, then come back the next day to spend a day at the adventure park. There visitors can do a ropes course, go on a zip line, hike, mountain bike and ride horses.

Where: 4418Reforestation Road, Suamico

Zoo Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. June 1-Aug. 31,9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1 through the end of the year

Adventure Park Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily June 1-Aug. 31, Saturdays and Sundays only Sept. 1-Oct. 31

Zoo Admission: $9 for adults,$6 for kids ages 3-15,free for kids 2 and younger

Zip Line Adventure admission: $12 per person (ages 6 and up)

Ropes Course Adventure admission: $15 per person (ages 6 and up)

Complete Adventure admission: $25 per person

More zoos in Wisconsin

• Green Meadows Petting Farm: 33603 High Drive, East Troy
• Henry Vilas Zoo: 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison
• Irvine Park and Zoo: 125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls
• Timbavati Wildlife Park: 2220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells
• Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park: 9503 N. State Road 27, Hayward
• Wildwood Zoo: 608 W. 17th St., Marshfield
• Wildwood Wildlife Park: 10094 State Highway 70 West, Minocqua

Contact Amy Schwabe at (262) 875-9488 or amy.schwabe@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @WisFamilyJS, Instagram at @wisfamilyjs or Facebook at WisconsinFamily.