Henry Vilas ZooDescriptionIn 1904 Col. William F. and Anna M. Vilas gave a large tract of land to the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground." From 1905 through 1910 the Vilas family donated in addition $42,000 for improvements. This summ of money was raised for the enlargement and improvement of the park.
The park was named in memory of the Vilas' son, Henry, who died at a young age due to complications from diabetes. In 1911, the first animal exhibits were created, representing the start of the Henry Vilas Zoo. Today the zoo consits a lot of sections: County Zoo, The Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society, Children's Zoo, the Discovering Primates Complex, Big Cat Complex and Visitor Center etc.
Getting thereFrom I-90/I-39 or I-94
Take exit to Hwy 12/14/18 West.
Exit at Park Street, North. At bottom of ramp, turn right.
Remain on Park Street for approximately 1.7 miles to Drake Street.
Turn left onto Drake Street. There is a Zoo sign at the intersection of Park & Drake Streets.
Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The Zoo is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.
From 151 North
Take exit to Hwy 12/14/18 East.
Exit at Park Street, North.
Remain on Park Street for approximately 1.7 miles to Drake Street.
Turn left onto Drake Street. There is a Zoo sign at the intersection of Park & Drake Streets.
Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The Zoo is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.
From 151 South
Remain on Highway 151 through the city until it becomes Park Street
From Park Street, turn right on Drake Street.
Travel on Drake Street for approximately five blocks to Randall Ave. The Zoo is at the corner of Randall Avenue & Drake Street.
Public Transportation
Madison Metro has several routes that will get you within a few short blocks of the Zoo. We encourage you to use the bus as an easy, efficient way to get to your free Zoo.
Entrance FeeStudents 20$
Single 25$
Family 35$
Operating HoursGROUNDS HOURS
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. DAILY
BUILDING HOURS
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
EXCEPTIONS:
The Zoo is closed afternoons on these days:
Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day
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