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Henry Vilas Zoo
Family fun center · Madison
Featured in our Madison guides:Thanksgiving weekend in Madison, WI (2026),Free things to do in Madison, WI,Things to do in Madison, WI with kids,Madison, WI neighborhoods
Why we included them
“Free every day since 1911, beside Vilas Park and Lake Wingra. Come back in the holiday season for Zoo Lights.”
About
Henry Vilas Zoo has been Madison's free zoo since 1911: admission is free, every day. It sits beside Vilas Park and Lake Wingra on the near west side. In the holiday season the zoo puts on Zoo Lights, a separately ticketed evening light walk with carousel rides and photos with Santa.
Events
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Recommended by neighbors
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MadisonWI.com guide
Arcades, escape rooms & family fun in Madison: good to know
Arcades, pinball bars, escape rooms and family entertainment centers keep kids and adults busy, especially through the winter.
Read the rest of the guide
For escape rooms, book ahead and check the group size and difficulty. For trampoline parks and play centers, expect a signed waiver and sometimes special socks. Ask about birthday party packages, which often include a room, food and play time.