Animal Gardens Petting Zoo
Delavan, WI
- Admission
- $20
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Animal Gardens Petting Zoo
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Animal Gardens Petting Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Animal Gardens Petting Zoo
Animal Gardens Petting Zoo is a seasonal petting zoo at 5065 State Road 50, between Delavan and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It is run alongside The Dancing Horses Theatre, and the venue's website describes the petting zoo as a 40-acre property housing 16 species of exotics and over 40 hay-eating animals. The mailing address on the website is Lake Geneva, WI 53115.
The petting zoo is open from May through October, according to the website. The Dancing Horses Theatre on the same property is open all year.
History
According to The Dancing Horses' About page, the theatre is the realization of a longtime dream of owner and creator Dana Montana, who wanted to share her Arabian horses with others. She produces the show with her daughters Danette and Danelle, and the family also offers Animal Gardens as an animal farm alongside the theatre. The About page says the theatre has offered family entertainment in the Lake Geneva area for over 20 years.
The theatre presents an equestrian show in a 300-seat theatre that the website describes as wheelchair accessible and climate-controlled. The site says its performers have worked for organizations including All The Kings Horses, Arabian Nights, Ringling Bros., Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.
Exhibits and habitats
The website describes the park as a place to pet, hold and feed animals, with manicured trails that visitors can walk or ride to reach several exhibits. A train ride runs through the Wildlife Exhibit, where the site says visitors can see animals indigenous to Wisconsin as well as some exotics. Trails also pass larger exotic animals and a pond, and the park has an interactive petting zoo and King Kong Playgrounds for children.
Children 12 and under who weigh 80 pounds or less get a free pony ride with paid admission. Standard admission covers the petting zoo, animal feed, the train ride and the playgrounds, and a higher-tier package adds the horse performance and a backstage tour, according to the website.
Conservation and programs
The Dancing Horses runs school field trips that combine the petting zoo and the horse show. The field trip page describes a day that starts at 10 a.m. with a train ride across the 40-acre property, followed by a wagon ride and a visit to the petting zoo, where it says children can meet over 60 different animals, from farm animals to exotics. Groups bring their own lunch, with outdoor picnic areas and indoor seating available, before a 90-minute indoor horse show at 1 p.m. Field trips are booked by phone or email.
The theatre also stages holiday shows, and the website lists group sales and gift certificates. The site says the theatre is consistently awarded Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice.
Planning your visit
Tickets for the petting zoo are bought at the door, according to the website, and children under 2 are free. During the season the website lists Saturday and Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus some weekday openings that it lists by date. Ticket packages and current prices are on the website.
The venue lists the phone number (262) 728-8200 and the email address info@thedancinghorses.com.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Full list of exotic species
- Parking
- Year Animal Gardens opened
Animal Gardens Petting Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Animal Gardens Petting Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Gardens Petting ZooThis zooDelavan, WI | $20 | Sat & Sun 10 AM – 4 PM through October; select Wednesdays/Thursday in fall 10 AM – 4 PM. | — | No |
| Bear Den Zoo and Petting FarmWaterford, WI | $13 | October: Sat & Sun 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; also open Nov 1, 11–4. Season May–Oct. Closed Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day; may close for rain or extreme heat (check Facebook). | — | No |
| Concord ZooConcord, WI | Free | Zoo hours 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. | — | No |
| Doc’s ZooBonduel, WI | Free | Visit during Doc's Harley-Davidson dealership hours: Mon 9 AM–5 PM; Tue–Wed 9 AM–6 PM; Thu 9 AM–5 PM; Fri 9 AM–6 PM; Sat 9 AM–4 PM; Sun 10 AM–3 PM. New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day (dealership closures). | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Animal Gardens Petting Zoo: common questions
When is Animal Gardens open?
The website says the petting zoo is open May through October, with weekend hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and some weekday dates listed on its petting zoo page.
Where is it?
At 5065 State Road 50, between Delavan and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Are pony rides included?
The website says children 12 and under who weigh 80 pounds or less get a free pony ride with paid admission.
Is there a train ride?
Yes. The website lists a train ride through the Wildlife Exhibit, included in admission.
Are tickets sold in advance?
The website says petting zoo tickets are bought at the door.
Can schools visit?
Yes. The Dancing Horses offers field trips that include the train ride, the petting zoo and the horse show.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.