Edmonton 
Credit: Happy Acres U-Pick
Life is better with animals! Edmonton and area has several different petting zoos and farms that let you get hands-on with a variety of different creatures, from barnyard friends to more exotic critters. The whole family will be talking about their new animal friends for a long time to come.
Within Edmonton
1. Edmonton Valley Zoo
The Urban Farm at the Edmonton Valley Zoo brings rural farm life into an urban setting. Learn all about the animals as you pet them – maybe you’ll even get to groom a goat! Check out the incubation wing to watch for hatching chicks, learn about milking a cow, and come back again and again to watch the babies grow.
Address: 13315 Buena Vista Rd Edmonton
Phone: 780-442-5311
Website
2. Marine Life
Marine Life in West Edmonton Mall is home to over 100 different aquatic creatures, and they have some in a special tank so you can have a hands-on experience. Their touch pool aquarium lets you softly feel starfish, sea cucumbers, anemones, and sea urchins. Learn all about these unique animals that live under the water.
Address: West Edmonton Mall 8882 170 St NW
Phone: 780-444-5321
Website
3. Ottewell Farm at Fort Edmonton Park
Credit: Fort Edmonton Park
Take a trip back into the past – and visit with some cute critters while you do! While Fort Edmonton Park is currently under construction, make sure you keep it on your list. Nestled on 1885 Street, Ottewell Farm has animals big and small for you to meet as you learn about the way of life in that era.
Address: 7000 143 St NW Edmonton
Phone: 780-496-7381
Website
Out of the City
1. Prairie Gardens
Credit: Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm
Prairie Gardens is a working family farm on 35 acres north of Edmonton that welcomes you to come for a visit. Be sure to stop by and meet the pygmy goats and other farm animals in the patting farm, and maybe you’ll get the chance to feed them a snack while you’re there.
Address: 56311 Lily Lake Road Bon Accord
Phone: 780-921-2272
Website
2. Happy Acres U-Pick
The farmyard isn’t the only draw to Happy Acres! Their assortment of animals – many of which roam around freely – are fun for the whole family to visit. Say hi and maybe give a snack to cows, miniature horses, chickens, goats, quails, and even peacocks.
Address: 1-52225 RR 273 Spruce Grove
Phone: 780-968-0099
Website
3. Edmonton Corn Maze
Sure, you may have heard of the giant maze this attraction has – but did you know they have a petting zoo, too? Finish up the farm experience with goats, chickens, bunnies, pigs, and more! Note that the Edmonton Corn Maze does not open until July.
Address: 26171 Garden Valley Road Spruce Grove
Phone: 78054-4540
Website
4. Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy
Dreamcatcher™ is offering “Time on the Land” to families or individuals who need to get out of the house or city. You can visit horses, goats, chickens during your visit.
Address: Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy, Range Road 213, Ardrossan
Come to You
1. Thistle Hill Farm & Petting Zoo
Thistle Hill is one of Edmonton’s oldest petting zoos. Their experienced operators bring their favourite animals to your event or home. Meet miniature Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, Dorper cross sheep, fancy poultry, and the ever-popular bunnies. It’s suitable for all ages, and they’re happy to customize your experience.
Phone: 780-878-3344
Website
2. Wainstay Ranch
Credit: Wanistay Ranch Mobile Pony Parties, Petting Zoo and events
Wainstay Ranch rescues animals and gives them a “fur-ever”home – and they want you to be a part of it. They are a mobile petting zoo that will bring these rescued critters, such as pigs, alpacas, ducks, chickens, sheep, bunnies, and miniature donkeys right to you. If you ask, miniature horses can even come as “unicorns!”
Website
3. Zoo 2 U
Zoo 2 U is another mobile petting zoo…but they don’t bring the usual barnyard animals with them. Add some excitement with an exotic twist. Their family of animals includes hedgehogs, a bearded dragon, an African tortoise, and even a 4-foot long ball python snake.
Phone: 708-660-2029
Website
