Visit a petting zoo or animal farm in Atlanta when the weather warms up andkiddos want to mingle with friendly, four-legged critters.Petting zoos and animal sanctuariesbeckon Atlanta familiesto enjoycreatures, big and small, from pigs and horses togiraffes and camels. Perhaps evenlions, tigers, and bears...oh my!
Mostpetting zoos and animal sanctuariesadvise visitors not to feed the animals unless it's feedthat they provide (eitherincluded with admission or purchased for an additional fee). So grab plenty ofhand sanitizer, wet wipes,plastic gloves (bisonslobber is no joke), and snacks for the kids and head out to anAtlanta petting zoo, animal farm, oranimal sanctuary.
Check out ourlist of theBest Zoos in Every State. For more family activities, check out ourspring activities guideand sign up for our Mommy Poppins newsletters, delivered straight to your inbox.
1.Zoo Atlanta- Grant Park
We have to start our list with the beloved Zoo Atlanta, which features over 1,000 animals, including panda bears, zebras, tigers, kangaroos, and flamingos. Take the train around the40-acre property and visit Outback Station, the on-site petting zoo, where kidscan interact with goats,sheep and more. Check out the zoo's toddler programs, evening activities, and animal encounters.
Petting Zoo,Animal Farm, and WildlifePark Funin Atlanta
AutreyMillNature Preserve and Heritage Center is a free center where kids can hike and interact with a variety of animals.
2.Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center- John's Creek
Once home to an abandoned flour mill, this 46-acre property offers hiking trails and farm animals, such asgoats and chickens. Inside the visitor center, kids will enjoy seeing a variety of snakes, turtles, salamanders, and sliders. Autrey Mill doesn't charge admission but welcomes donations.
3.L&R Alpaca Haven Farm- Douglasville
Your kids will love visiting this family-owned animal farm with over 30 alpacas. Gentle alpacas are less scary for smaller kids because they don't bite (really...they don't have top teeth!). The farm welcomes visitors by appointment on most weekends and hosts publicevents, photo shoots, and birthday parties.
4.North Georgia Wildlife Park and Safari- Cleveland
This vast wildlife park,locatedabout an hour north of Atlanta,features a drive-thru safari experience. Admission also includes the petting zoo and a guided walking tour to see wolves, sloths, and lemurs."Add-on" interactions include capybara feedings and animal meet-and-greets.
Touch a baby alligator at the Okefenokee Swamp Park.
5.Okefenokee Swamp Park- Waycross
Drive four hours to Waycross, Georgia andyour family can observe live alligators in one of the world's largest blackwater swamps. Admission to the Okefenokee Swamp Park includes a train ride and nature show, where guests can pet snakes, turtles, and a baby alligator. Sign up for the swamp boat tour tosee more alligators in their natural habitat.
6.Pettit Creek Farms- Cartersville
Pettit Creek Farms houses various animal speciesincluding camels, reindeer, emus, zebras, and more.Visitors can purchasefeed as they enter and drive along the dirt path featuring exotic animals.Linger along the way,and let the animals eat from your child's outstretched arm! Visitors can also enter the Pettit Creek Farms petting zoo and ride a camel!
RELATED: Visiting Fernbank Museum in Atlanta with Kids: A Chance to Discover Natural History
7. Smith Farm - Buckhead
Most people don't expect to find a farm in the heart of Buckhead!However, the Atlanta History Center exposes kids to the 1840s farm of Robert Hiram Smith, complete with live chickens, sheep, goats, and turkeys.
8.Southern Belle Farm- McDonough
This working farm offers an opportunity to pick your own fruitand participatein other seasonal events such asFall on the Farm and a Farmstead Christmas. Families can interact with the farm animals, such as barnyardchickens, donkeys, cows and calves, goats, and horses at Belle's barn.
RELATED:Great Bike Rides for Atlanta Kids and Families
9.Wild Animal Safari- Pine Mountain
Georgia's better-known animal safari, Wild Animal Safari, offers options to drive your vehicleon the safarior rent one of the already animal-weathered zebra vans. This vast drive-thrusafari features a variety ofanimals thatcome knocking on your car windowfor food. Get close to camels, zebras, watusis,American bison, and more. Warn kiddos: Theseanimals aren't shy about begging for foodor slobbering oncars, hands, and pretty much any surface.
10.Yule Forest- Stockbridge
Yule Forest welcomes visitors to the petting zoo duringits seasonalevents each year. Bring the kids to the annualpumpkin patchin the fall;the Tulip Festival in spring, or theChristmas Tree Farmduring the holidays.Admission includes the petting zoo, hayrides, bee house, STEM garden, dinosaur exhibit, fun zone, and more.
11.The Crazy Goat Girls- Canton
Known for their assortment of goat soap and bath products, TheCrazy Goat Girls also offer "snuggle sessions" by appointment only at their farm inCanton. Visitors spend time with Nigerian dwarf goats, mini pot belly pigs, bunnies, and their two mini highland cows, Peanut and Hershey. Families love events like goat yoga, soap-making birthday parties, and public soap-making workshops.
Animal Sanctuaries inAtlanta
12.Bear Hollow Zoo- Athens
Located in Athens' Memorial Park, Bear Hollow Zoo offersa natural habitat for non-releasable animals. You'll find blackbears, owls, a spotted skunk, areptile house, and more. Admission is free.
13.Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo- Dahlonega
Head north to Dahlonega to see over 100 exotic and native animals, many of which were rescued from abuse and neglect. Don't missPippi, a zeedonk(?!), who is half-zebra/half-donkey!Purchase feed bags for $5but watch your little ones' fingers when feeding the animals. For an additional fee, families can interact with thetwo sloths, Flash and Sissi.
14.Georgia Sea TurtleCenter - Jekyll Island
If your family plans to hit thebeach this summer,make a stop at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in Jekyll Island. Although you can't touch the sea turtles,visitors can see them recuperatinginlarge glass tanks at this working hospital. Kidswill develop an appreciation for this endangered species and learn about ongoing conservation efforts.
15.Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary- Locust Grove
This 250-acre, nonprofit animal sanctuary, is located 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta.The sanctuaryfeatures an oasis for abused and neglected animals, includingreptiles, primates, bears, birds, and exotic cats. Opportunities exist for a variety of guided tours.
See Simba the serval at theYellowRiver Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo by Jenn Cardinell for theYellow River Wildlife Sanctuary
16.YellowRiver Wildlife Sanctuary- Lilburn
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuaryhasput much care and dedication into the welfare of itsanimal population. The sanctuary is home tobison, porcupines,black bears, sheep, fallow deer,lemurs, alpacas, and more. Purchase feed bags for $6 to feed select animals in the barnyard. Check the website for info onsloth encounters and special tours.
Unless noted, photos by the author
