Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo

About Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo

Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo is at 5135 Rome-New London Road in Rome, New York. The zoo describes itself as more than a typical zoo, with an emphasis on hands-on engagement rather than distant viewing. According to its website, most animals are available for petting and many can be hand-fed. The property covers 20 acres, and the zoo gives a typical visit length as one to two hours. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and its website includes a page addressing that status.

History

The zoo's homepage says it is celebrating more than 50 years of education, conservation, animal interactions and fun. According to the About page, the Stedman family bought the zoo in May 2019. The previous owners, the Cross family, had operated it for 41 years before retiring, and the two families worked together on the transition. The page says the Stedmans came with an education in zoology and veterinary technical medicine, and had been active in community work such as 4-H and other youth programs.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's website lists a petting zoo with tame deer, a Maternity Ward with baby pygmy goats, a Friendly Barnyard, a swan pond with a feeding dock, and a nature trail with a fairy garden. Wild Creatures Playland is a two-story soft play structure, and other attractions include a Jumbo Jumper pillow bounce, Water Wars, a water balloon slingshot game, and Downpour Derby, a water bucket game. The Twin Pine Picnic Grove is available for visitors who bring their own food, and a concession stand operates on site.

The animals named on the website include otters, a Tegu lizard, capybaras, wallabies, horses, sheep, sloths, emus, bison, spider monkeys, yaks, lemurs, eagle owls, swans, ducks, Scottish Highland cattle, porcupines, coatis, alpacas, mini donkeys, ponies, chickens, rabbits, grey wolves, chinchillas, blue and gold macaws, cockatoos, Arctic foxes and a Saker falcon.

Conservation and programs

The zoo offers daily hands-on educational animal presentations, including a snake presentation twice daily at the gazebo. It also hosts birthday parties, school groups and private events, and sells season memberships and gift certificates. The zoo's mission statement says children who have experienced kind and gentle interaction with animals are more likely to become adults who care about wildlife and conservation.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, the 2026 spring schedule ran April 4 to June 21 on weekends only, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with weekday school group visits by reservation. The 2026 summer schedule ran June 22 to September 7, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3 p.m. The fall 2026 schedule runs September 12 to November 1, weekends only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Fall Fun Days beginning September 26. The website says the zoo is typically closed on rainy days or during a heat advisory and asks visitors to call ahead or check its Facebook page when the weather is poor.

The website states a strict no dogs or pets policy, and says it applies to service animals as well. Admission categories cover children ages 2 to 15, adults 16 and older, free entry for children under two, and a group rate for parties of more than 25 guests. Ticket details are on the zoo's website. Cash and credit are accepted, with a minimum for credit card purchases. The phone number listed is 315-336-1930.