From Dubuque to the Polar Bear: A Day at Madison’s Free Zoo

Well, my kids are officially back to that school grind as of this morning. I've got a high-school sophomore and two 5th graders this year. The seemingly too-quickly-lost summer inspired our family to make one last hurrah, if you will, in the form of a quick trip to Madison, Wisconsin, to our favorite FREE zoo.

Yes, after just an hour and a half drive from Dubuque, my family arrived at Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo for a day of amazing animal experiences and a day of family bonding. And yes, one of the best things about this zoo is the price tag: free admission for anyone who comes. My suggestion is to get there early, as parking near the entrance fills up quickly, and there is a 3-hour limit on parking around the zoo.

The zoo is a blast;��grizzly bears, lions, snakes, seals, and so much more. Our favorite on the day was the Polar Bear, which gave us an amazing experience and some of the coolest pictures (see them below). And man, are they HUGE. Close second for me (but a first for my family) was the red panda who was sleeping while lounging on a branch in his enclosure.

There are a few new animals incoming as well. Watch for a new arctic fox exhibit and for the return of the zoo's giraffe once their enclosure is updated. Unfortunately, the tiger wasn't on display for my family's visit. That was a bit of a bummer. The penguins have also moved on as part of a breeding program. Their former enclosure is where the new arctic fox exhibit will be located.

If you're curious what you and your family can enjoy at the Henry Vilas Zoo, check out my family's adventure below and plan your own trip soon!

More amazing Zoo adventures await you close to Iowa!