Sep

A Family’s Guide to the Milwaukee County Zoo: 5 Things To Do And See (2023)

If you’re planning a visit to the Milwaukee County Zoo with your family, you’re in for a treat!

With over 200 acres of animal habitats and attractions located just outside of the city of Milwaukee, there’s no shortage of fun and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

However, visiting a zoo with kids can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when you’re not sure where to start or what to prioritize.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

In this post, we’ll share our top 5 things to see and do at the Milwaukee County Zoo, along with pro tips to help you make the most of your visit with your little ones.

So, let’s dive in!

5 Best Things To Do at the Milwaukee County Zoo

1. Family Farm Area

You’ll definitely want to stop by the Family Farm area where you’ll find an animal feeding area, cow milking area, a huge playground, and the Kohl’s Wild Theater headquarters. Kohl’s Wild Theater offers live conservation-themed shows and Birds of Prey shows for young kids, and they happen all throughout the summer for free.

2. Giraffe Experience

Open in the summer, the unique Giraffe Experience allows guests to get eye-to-eye with the tallest animals at the Zoo.

Visitors can purchase a $5 ticket near the giraffe exhibit at the base of a large boardwalk known as the Giraffe Deck. (There is not a discount for Zoo Pass holders.)

Each paid visitor can feed the giraffe three large pieces of lettuce.

3. New Elephant Exhibit

The Milwaukee County Zoo recently relocated its elephant exhibit to a five-acre area that includes a watering hole and a 25,000 square foot barn and visitor center with room for five elephants.

You can watch the elephant snack, graze, and do training activities up close.

4. Ride the Safari Train

No visit to the Zoo is complete without a ride on the Safari Train which takes you through wooded lots and past several of the exhibits.

You’ll find it near the Family Farm. Stroller parking is availalabe, and the carousel is also nearby.

5. Gorilla Trek

Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Experience is the newest attraction at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and it’s now open for visitors.

The virtual reality film gives an unprecedented, 360 degree look at mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Rwanda. They are one of nature’s most endangered animals, with only 900 of them left on Earth.

The Milwaukee County Zoo was the first zoo in the country to unveil this immersive experience.

Visitors sit in a motion platform and wear a virtual reality headset that transports them to the mountains and jungle of Rwanda. Participants can move their head around to see more of their surroundings, and come face to face with a gorilla.

Other Ideas:

Your family mights also love a guided tour on the Zoomobile, an Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea Lion Show, or riding the Sky Safari for a birds eye view of the animals.

Be on the lookout for unique events such as Snooze at the Zoo (a campout at the zoo with snacks and entertainment), and Ride on the Wild Side, a family-friendly bike ride through the Zoo, plus kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Find out more at milwaukeezoo.org.

Pro tips:

1. Family Free Days

Family Free Days are offered six times a year, so check their website for dates and times.

2. Get a Zoo Pass

Save money with a Zoo Pass. You get free admission to the zoo for one year, access to members only events, and more.

3. Check out Wild Lights

Around the holidays, don’t miss the magnificent Wild Lights show for a magical evening with your kids.

4. Save at Frosty Free Week

The Zoo offers Family Free Days throughout the colder months, and free admission for Frosty Free Week the last week of December.

Day Trip Idea: Shalom Wildlife Zoo in West Bend

mkewithkids

In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.