Henry Vilas Zoo

In 1904 the Vilas family gave a large tract of land and donated money to the today's Henry Vilas Zoo. As early as 1914 the first animal exhibits took place and gained, quite fast, to one of the most valueable collections. Being one of the few zoos accredited by AZA with free admission, Henry Vilas Zoo is a popular place for young and old, among both the habitants of Madison and beyond Wisconsin's borders. Especially in recent years, the number of sites has grown significantly, thus, in addition to the area of pinguin, a big cat complex, a primates domicile, a large visitor center and a tropical rainforest aviary can be found.