Photo: Brandywine Zoo
Photo: RanGordon
Photo: cedric smith
Brandywine Zoo
★4.2(849 reviews)$$Zoo
🕑 1.5-2 hours👶 Best for ages 2-10. Toddlers and preschoolers love the manageable size and close-up animal encounters, while elementary-aged kids enjoy the interactive feeding stations and learning about conservation. The compact layout means little legs won't get too tired.🧡 Saved by 17 families
About
Brandywine Zoo offers an intimate, walkable zoo experience perfect for families with young children. Located on scenic park grounds along the Brandywine River, this charming zoo features exotic animals from South America and Asia, hands-on feeding experiences that kids absolutely love, and plenty of open green space for picnicking and running around after exploring the exhibits.
Highlights
- ✓Interactive animal feeding experiences with capybaras, red pandas, and other friendly creatures
- ✓Tiger and jaguar exhibits that bring kids face-to-face with big cats
- ✓Andean bear habitat featuring playful spectacled bears
- ✓River otter exhibit where kids can watch these entertaining animals swim and play
- ✓Beautiful riverside park setting perfect for extending your visit with outdoor play
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right at 10:00 AM opening when animals are most active and before school groups arrive on weekday mornings
- 2.Bring quarters for the animal feed dispensers at the capybara and red panda exhibits,kids love these interactive experiences
- 3.Pack a picnic to enjoy in Brandywine Park's beautiful grounds after your zoo visit, saving money on food
- 4.The zoo is small enough to cover in 1-2 hours, making it perfect to combine with nearby Brandywine Park playground and trails
- 5.Strollers navigate easily here, but the compact size also makes it great for toddlers who want to walk independently
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday) right at opening for the smallest crowds and most active animals. Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures, while summer mornings are lovely before it gets too hot. Avoid rainy days as many exhibits are outdoors.
What to Know
Admission is budget-friendly (typically under $10 for adults, less for children). Free parking is available on-site. The zoo has limited food options, so plan to bring snacks or picnic in the adjacent park. Stroller and wheelchair accessible throughout.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent daily hours. Some outdoor exhibits may have limited viewing in harsh winter weather. Check their website for special seasonal events like Zoo Boo in October and Holiday Lights in December which add extra magic to visits.
Nearby Eats
Head to nearby Trolley Square (10 minutes away) for family-friendly options like Two Stones Pub with a kids menu and casual atmosphere, or grab pizza at Piccola Italia where kids can watch their pies being made.
More Activities Near Wilmington
Park
Wawaset Park
Free❤️5
Wawaset Park is a beloved Wilmington destination where families can spend an entire day enjoying top-notch outdoor amenities. The park features well-maintained playgrounds for multiple age groups, a refreshing splash pad perfect for hot summer days, and plenty of open green space for picnics and free play. With sports facilities and shaded picnic areas, it's an ideal spot for both active adventures and relaxing family gatherings.
Adventure
Taconite Creek
Free
Taconite Creek offers families a wonderful escape into nature just outside Wilmington, where kids can wade in shallow creek waters, explore woodland trails, and discover local wildlife. This peaceful outdoor setting provides the perfect backdrop for building fairy houses, skipping stones, and letting children connect with the natural world at their own pace.
Park
Riverfront
Free
The Riverfront in Wilmington offers families a perfect blend of urban park amenities and scenic waterside relaxation. Kids can cool off in the splash pad during summer, explore multiple playgrounds, and enjoy wide-open spaces for running around, all while parents take in beautiful views of the Christina River and city skyline. The paved walking trails are ideal for strollers, bikes, and scooters, making it accessible for families with children of all ages.
Nature
Ashland Nature Center
Free
Ashland Nature Center offers families 400 acres of pristine Delaware countryside to explore together through interactive nature programs, scenic hiking trails, and hands-on wildlife observation opportunities. Kids can get their hands dirty examining pond creatures, spotting local wildlife, and participating in seasonal nature education programs that make outdoor learning fun and memorable.