Again, one can always debate the ethics of a zoo, but putting that aside for a minute, Soutwicks was/is a great experience. Friendly people, a variety of exhibits and just an overall good time. I sprung for the combo ticket that gave me access to the train and skylift. The train was very 'meh' and defiantly more for the kids. I enjoyed the skylift, its just high enough for you to get a Birdseye view above the park, but not so high to make you unconformable, and it goes at a great speed so that you can enjoy the ride. I was little surprised as there were a few exhibits that didn't seem enclosed like the flamingos, a couple of the birds, and the prairie dogs, I don't know how they keep them in the enclosers. Taking my time I was able to do the whole zoo in about 3 hours. Like most attractions, the concession options are grossly overpriced. Everything was outside, there were no inside exhibits except for one small building. Again, a great day overall and a return trip will be in order. read more

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Really nice zoo. Definitely gives an experience at other zoos don't. I love that you can walk in and feed the deer. The only recommendation I would make is the area where you can go in and feed the goats. I would limit the amount of small children that you allow in because it can be overwhelming. read more

Southwick's Zoo - Feeding goats - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

Love Southwick's Zoo. Used to visit when I was a kid now I bring all my kids. First time here with the Halloween decorations up, place looked even better than it usually does. It was a nice cool say today and all the animals were up and active. Had some lunch and a great afternoon. read more

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We LOVE the skyfari. I wish more zoos would let me sit and look at the animals while in motion 50ft in the air. The employee in charge of taking bags recognized us after the second go-around... girl you will not believe what we saw while on that thing! We were discussing the animals, as is customary on skydari . I said something not so kind towards the Watusi (he did have it coming) but just as I said this he looked STRAIGHT at us and mooed SO loud for at least 5 Seconds straight. Shaken Ate hot dog not Nathans. One star. Not good and NOT for that price. Some guy left without his cheese fries. 5 BUCKS for HOT DOG. Unacceptable hotdog. Deer enclosure is a fun idea but not with today's youth chucking corn overhand at the deer. I wouldn't want to eat that crusty corn either but then again I guess I ate that hotdog very bad hotdog . Maybe try switching it up. Idk if deer like dr pepper or Baja blast but just think about it and get back to me. Planning on having my birthday here in LATE December hope everything s still running and the animals are going out. There's something about the forest of it all. The zoo isn't in the woods the woods are in the zoo. Does that make sense? I just can't get behind it. read more

Southwick's Zoo - I don't even know. I wish I could tell you but im confused and scared - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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Southwick's Zoo is a large zoo, so be prepared to do a lot of walking. I was shocked by the wide variety of animals they have including lions, tigers, giraffes, sloths, chimpanzees, and many other different species of exotic animals. I think what Southwick's is most known for is their deer forest, where you can walk among and even feed friendly deer. Southwick's also has a petting zoo allowing for up-close interactions with animals. Directions within the zoo are not the best in fact, it can be very difficult to navigate the zoo if you're a first timer or someone like me who hasn't been to the zoo in about a decade. read more

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Place is a dump. Paid$50 for 2 people for Christmas lights. Supposed to be new England "premier" Christmas lights spot... Was a complete dump with tons... Literally tons of children. Light were the type of light you could buy at a Walmart. Really disgusting. My neighbor's lights were better than this zoo. Very disappointing and low class. I feel sorry for the people who live in New England who think this is something spectacular. I would rate this venue to be a 3rd rate low class flea market style of place. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY AND GET RIPPED OFF. Soooo sad!! read more

Went here a few years ago with my grandson and it was fun with lots to see so I took my granddaughters today. Well it has definitely shrunk in size. Lots of monkeys, but less variety of animals than before. No where to find a map to see what we might be missing. On a good note the food at the Gallifords restaurant was excellent and the park was clean. read more

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Although I don't have any photos from the actual zoo - I do recommend it. I visited with my family when we first arrived to MA. I wasn't expecting much, having driven through neighborhoods to get there. I still am trying to understand the layout and composition of MA... But anyway, if I remember correctly, parking was free in the lot across the street. And if not free a pretty nominal fee. It didn't take long to walk the zoo grounds. I do remember they had a pretty large deer enclosure. And little "play" areas along the way. I also think this was the zoo that had one of the "big cats" - leopard or cheetah - stalk my 2 year old son! Of course the animal was safely enclosed, but as we walked by the cat had a steely focus on my kiddo. We walked back & forth, and so did the cat. We ended the day eating at their on-site restaurant, Galliford's. I'm a foodie, so that capped the day off perfectly for me! The food was unexpectedly delicious! Your zoo experience won't be complete without dining there! read more

Southwick's Zoo - Salad, and tamale - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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Great place to walk around and learn more about animals you never knew existed! They have a great selection of animals. I especially loved their deer forest, but be sure to go early or else the deer will get full. Unfortunately when I went, most of the attractions were closed for the season. Some of the cages seemed to be a bit small, but the animals all seemed very active. The zoo is not the largest, but there are pretty steep gradients so be sure to wear good walking shoes. read more

Southwick's Zoo - Flamingos - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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My family attended the Winter Wonderland Christmas Light event and we had a great time!! The light display was so beautiful. The zoo had an amazing holiday feel. The energy was high and people were having a good time. There was a good crowd but there was plenty of space so it didn't feel overcrowded. The light display is the main attraction but not the only one. You can take a train ride, see a variety show, watch the bear sing Christmas carols, pet the goats and more, Multiple snack bars were open for hot drinks and light snacks. There is a restaurant on site if you need a little more. Parking is free. This is a top attraction in central Mass during the Holiday Season. Don't miss it! read more

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Southwick Zoo is a great regional observation/petting zoo for all ages. It's open to the public from April-October 10AM-5PM rain or shine. Tickets are available online (slightly discounted) or in person at the main entrance. They also offer seasonal passes and group rates which can all be found on the zoo's official website. Parking is free and first come first serve. I would highly recommend wearing sneakers or boots due to the various terrain throughout the park as it is built on a hill. They allow water from the outside but they have a restaurant and other food kiosks scattered around the park. The skyline, camel rides, kids amusement rides are a separate fee in addition to the admission fee. The deer forest and goat pen require quarters to access the feed machines. If you visit each exhibit you'll be able to see the entire zoo in around three hours. An excellent day excursion for local and non-local residents at a very reasonable price. read more

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What an impressive petting zoo! From the variety of exotic animals, artisans, food, and refreshments to the interactive exhibits including a deer forest and the cute playground, this charming zoo is perfect for all ages! While the price is a bit steep, you can easily get your money's worth by spending the whole day there. Our 16 month old grandson absolutely loved it and approves! read more

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I had my wedding at Southwick's zoo. It was a great experience. They have a great space for weddings ands it was a lot of fun to wander the zoo with my guests read more

A cool zoo in southern MA that has a pretty impressive variety of animals to see as well as a zip line and skyfari. We did not ride either but we had a good time checking out all the animals. My favorites were the snow leopards and some of the monkeys. The enclosures seemed well maintained, though we visited when they had just opened for the season so time will tell. read more

Southwick's Zoo - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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Great place to explore and take kids for a visit. You definitely need some good shoes - the terrain is very hilly. If you are debating on the stroller, it's better to bring it. Every time I go, I forget how many inclines there are while walking around. They have a goat petting & feeding area. The baby goats are the CUTEST but you have to be careful not to feed them because they get digest the food pellets yet. They also have a large deer enclosure that you can walk through with a stroller & feed them as well. There's lot of animals to see & even some other activities to do like the Skyfari Sky Ride, Woodland Express Train, & the Soaring Eagle Zipline. I haven't had a chance to do any of them but they seem fun! They also have pony & camel rides which seems great for kids! Overall, it's a fun zoo with lots of options for entertainment. I haven't had a bad experience yet! read more

Southwick's Zoo - Flamingoes - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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Amazing family friendly place where both kids and adults can enjoy. Animals are treated well, events are fun and food is okay. Nice restaurant nearby called Galifords and food is AMAZING. We recommend the light shows and going in the winter events season, but just strolling around with your family when it's warm is fun, too. (I think there are still rides, but I'm not too sure.) Either way, a very fun place to be. read more

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This zoo is nice, a short drive from where we live in Rhode Island. It's not our home zoo, but a nice change. Not as much landscape, and some of the animals are more in "cages" than enclosures, but they have enrichment toys in there with them. On the larger side, definetly give yourself the day to see it and not just a morning/afternoon, ezspecually if you want to take a lunch break read more

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This review is ONLY for the Jack-O'-Lantern event. If I could give this event zero stars, I honestly would. I was very disappointed with the overall experience. It was extremely overcrowded, and we spent more time waiting in long lines than actually enjoying the displays. It really felt like Southwick Zoo focused more on selling as many tickets as possible rather than creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests. There was little to no communication from staff. We were told we needed drinking wristbands but could never find where to get them -- no one seemed to know. The event itself was poorly lit; the parking lot and walkways were so dark it was difficult to see where we were going, which made it frustrating and unsafe at times. What really concerned me was seeing animals out during the event at night, surrounded by loud crowds and bright lights. It didn't seem like an ideal situation for them, and it made me feel uneasy. On top of that, many of the pumpkins appeared to be plastic and reused from previous years. Nothing felt new or exciting, which was really disappointing considering the cost of admission. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this event. It has potential, but right now it feels disorganized, overcrowded, and not worth the money. I truly hope the zoo takes the feedback seriously and makes improvements for next year. read more

10/4/25 The zoo was nice and the animals looked well cared for in good-sized enclosures. The big downside was the bees -- they were everywhere. We had to keep moving just to avoid them, and even while eating lunch our family (kids included) got swarmed. Most of the rides weren't running even though it was a Saturday, which was very disappointing. Overall, it was an okay visit, but the bees definitely made it hard to enjoy. read more

The zoo is well kept and very spread out and different animals and educational I would recommend it too any one

Such a fun zoo! Took off a star because the admission is pricey compared to other, larger zoos that charge the same (or less). If you want a fun time with family, I'd recommend coming here! The gift shop has a lot of cute things are different price points as well. read more

Love, love, love this zoo!!! Without a doubt one of my absolute favorites!!! So much fun! So many beautiful animals!! I LOVED the deer forest! It was so magical and I could have spent the entire afternoon in there! Being able to hand feed the deer and pet them was so incredibly awesome!! The grounds were well taken care of, plenty of food and beverage options along the way, including a sit down restaurant (Galliford's Tavern) and many gift shops!!! They also have a Skyfari Sky Ride, Woodland Express Train, Soaring Eagle Zipline and animal rides as well!! If you haven't visited, check out their website! They have many events and different things going on all the time!!! read more

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What a fun day of animal adventure and carnival rides. The zoo has made some amazing changes including a new carousel ride. You can go on a giraffe experience feeding the giraffes. Rhino Adventure too! Will take most if a day to see everything and ride the train and visit the deer park. We enjoyed it all! read more

Great place for all ages, families with small kids, couple's date night, teenagers. It's just wonderful. Beautiful animals. Different kinds, deer, rhino, alligator, white tiger. So cool. Large place, making it a place you want to go back to see something you missed. Loved the zip line and skyafari. There's a train, but we missed it. Pony and camel rides. Plenty of places to just sit and admire where you are. Even the playground was great. Recommend to everyone read more

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Great variety of animals! You get to see most of them pretty close up which is great for little ones! Loved all the different monkeys & the petting zoo the best. Emma in the petting zoo was very helpful with our questions about the goats & the babies were so cute! Also, the deer forest is very cool to walk around & see so many deer just hanging out!! read more

I have lived an hour away from this zoo and never knew that they existed. Wow, I have been missing out! This is a good size zoo, with lots to see and do. Tons of exhibits, one of the biggest attractions would have to be the deer feeding area. This is fun for young and old, feed the deer and get a smile on your face in return! Primates, birds, reptiles, and all kinds of other fun and beautiful creatures! The only one that I didn't get to see was the rhino. But it certainly gives me a good excuse to come back! What a super fun zoo!!! read more

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Our family had a great time at this zoo. They offer both a walk through and drive through experience. Walk Thru's are available: 10:00am-5:00pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 10am-5pm. The Drive Thru alternative is offered: 11:00am-4:00pm on Monday and Wednesday from 11am-4pm. (Note that they closed as a walk through on Monday & Wednesday). Admission dates and times can change during the year and on holidays. We opted for the walk through, reserving our ticket time in advance, per their COVID-19 restrictions. According to their website, the zoo comprises over 200 acres, and is New England's largest zoological experience. They have over 850 animals in naturalistic habitats including lions, tigers, giraffes, chimpanzees, white rhinos, two-toed sloths, and more. They also offer attractions including the Skyfari Sky Ride, Woodland Express Train, Soaring Eagle Zip Line, 35-acre Deer Forest, petting zoo, walk-through aviary, presentations and keeper talks, pony ride, camel ride, the Rainforest Adventure Maze, and the EARTH Discovery Center (once again, COIVD restrictions may impact some attractions). Masks are required, and everyone was wearing them. Due to the reduced entries, the zoo was never crowded. The petting zoo and deer forest were clear favorites of our two-year-old companion, and yours truly! Visitors can pet and feed the goats and deer. The zoo did a very good job limiting visitor entry to both these attractions to help ensure social distancing. We think this zoo is a great choice for children (and adults) of all ages! read more

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This review is for the zoofari aka driving your car through the zoo. I loved that they came up with an extremely safe way to enjoy the zoo while making sure to socially distance. It really is a wonderful idea. It was relatively easy to arrive and check-in, the staff member was very nice, wearing a mask and gave us a map and some coupons for future visits. The route itself is pretty easy to follow and besides getting your car a bit dirty, doesn't pose any issues. No need for a 4x4 or SUV. I really enjoyed how calm it was compared to our previous in-person visits. There were no crowds, in total there were maybe 4 other cars, so we really were able to take our time and move slowly. This is important because being in the car means you cannot get up very close to see some of the more "exciting" animals, like lions, tigers etc. We were sad that we did not see the giraffes, the little one was most looking forward to them. I'm not sure where they were, I may have missed a sign with info. Overall, it was a safe afternoon outing. I gave 3 stars because I think it was expensive for what it was, I think it should be no more than $50, I would have been satisfied with that price point. We didn't get to see some of the animals we were most looking forward to seeing and given the set up, it's a very quick activity. It was however a nice drive with some beautiful scenery. I think they did a great job of making the best of a really tough situation. read more

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This is the best zoo I have ever been to! This place is huge and can easily spend the whole day here. Originally, I only planned to spend an hour here but ended up staying until closing. The animals habitats are the perfect size and set up. The animals are friendly. Was able to learn about some animals I've never heard of. They have a petting zoo area where goats walk around and come up to you. Such a cool experience being inside the enclosure. There are camel, pony, and tour rides. There's food shops inside and many different stores. The price was untouchable since military personnel are able to get in for free and discount their spouse/dependents. Can't get more motto than that! Can't wait to come here again. For those people looking for activities todo in the area. This place is a must see. If you're visiting, be prepared to get your steps in! read more

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This is our family's favorite zoo in MA! We are a family of deer lovers (and all animals alike) and this place has a pretty big land in which is preserved for deers in the back of the zoo. our favs are the Rhinos, Tigers and GurContingent on the time of the visit, it could get busy. However, I found that all staff members have been kind and helpful. I have a 6 year old who runs all over the place, this place has enough animals that intrigue my son, meanwhile a ton of space for him to run and get tired from. I love coming here bc after a long day of walking all over this zoo, I find that my child is tired and I finally get some sleep lol I highly recommend! read more

This was an interesting zoo. They have a wide variety of animals, some of whom have expansive enclosures and others seemingly more cramped. The Deer Forest was quite cool; I thought it was it was curious how many parents were shocked their kids were afraid of the deer. To a little kid they must look like a giraffe is standing in front of them! There certainly were lots of deer and it was a quiet place to walk around. We went on a rare sunny spring day and so many of the animals were leisurely sunning themselves. The lioness and lion looked supremely relaxed! There was not a lot pacing we see at other zoos. One thing about their Military Discount. I do disagree with the idea that family members, particularly spouses cannot share in the discounted rate is unfortunate. Almost every military event we attend stresses the role of spouses and families in the successes of military members. Not so here I guess. This is a good zoo for families with children. There are lots of fun things for them to do (at an added cost) and there were lots of little kids enjoying the petting zoo, no pun intended. I'm still reconciling my feelings about animal 'feedings' by paying customers at zoos. I felt particularly bad for the alpacas who are situated in the same area as the petting zoo but are cordoned off with a 'Do Not Feed' sign. Why put them there then? The African Savannah expanse was huge and intermingled zebras with ostrich which is always very cool. The animals all seemed well fed and were not anxious. They were pretty chill on a warm spring day. Not sure we'd go back. Probably a great zoo for locals. Stone Zoo is closer with wolves and bears; but this was a nice day out. Hopefully management will reconsider their insensitive veterans rate. read more

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This is a really cool zoo. Great and diverse animal collection. A lot of interactive kid friendly things to do. My personal favorite thing though- due to the heavy tree canopy it is mostly shaded. Makes for a much coolers experience. The restaurant was good too. The only downside is that several of the activities cost extra. Still not enough of a downside that I wouldn't give it 5 stars. read more

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Good variety of animals especially like the monkey and giraffe areas..like the few rides that they have. Plenty shade throughout the park.. good restaurant right next door read more

Went to the zoo with my mother yesterday for the first time in a while. I can't believe how much they've grown and expanded! The animal enclosures are so much bigger and better and the new restaurant is amazing too! It's wonderful just how much improvement has been made! read more

Southwick's Zoo - Camels. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

We went with our toddler on a weekday afternoon. The parking lot looked busy but the zoo is so expansive that we were the only visitors at most of the exhibits! Everything from the paths to the food stalls was beautifully maintained and the enclosures were wonderful; the animals had many enrichment activities and natural space to roam. The deer forest was our favorite part! We spent two hours here but could have spent much more time if we weren't with a little one who needed a nap! read more

Southwick's Zoo - Deer Forest. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

The moment my friend and I stepped inside the grounds we felt like we were in another world. The animals were fascinating to see as was their environment. We were amazed by the many exhibits distributed throughout the zoo compound. The train ride and Deer Forest were a wonderful take as was the petting zoo. We had such a great time that we plan to return to the zoo at some point. read more

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By fire one of the better designs of a zoo to see wild animals without fences or cages. Can't miss is worth the ride

Our first time coming was on a Monday during covid but this quickly became one of our favorite spots. The cleanliness and all they had to offer as far as rides and food, we can't wait to come back in the summer with everything fully open. One of the most exciting was just how close you can get to the tigers and lions when they're in the corner. My 5 year old daughter wanted to ride the ski lift and it was pretty cool getting to ride above the animals. Bring a couple dollars in quarters so you can feed the deer and goats. This is one of the cleanest zoos I have ever been too. I know covid is still a factor so less people eating and sitting around but the grounds were all clean and the bathrooms were as well. read more

Southwick's Zoo - Amusement Parks Near Me - Mendon, Massachusetts

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It's such a fun place to go with kids! This zoo beats Franklin Park Zoo and Stoneham Zoo by a long shot, and I would go more often if we lived closer. There are so many animals to see and activity offerings such as pony rides, carousel, and deer feeding, to name a few. If you get hungry, the pretzels by the front make a great snack! These are the small pretzels in a cup that you can get with cheese sauce. Soooo good! The giant single pretzel was not good at the other stalls were not good. read more

I'm a childless adult and I love this place. They have some opportunities for close animal encounters too including parakeets, deer, and goats. So clean and you can have a nice meal on site after a day of exploring. I also recommend paying extra for the aerial ride. A ticket for an adult was $25 and I absolutely feel like I got my money's worth as we explored for at least 3 hours. read more

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