Zoos and Petting Zoos in Greater Toronto Area

1.Toronto Zoo

Things to do:

With more than 5,000 animals in our care representing 450 species, the Toronto Zoo is committed to fighting extinction and connecting people to wildlife. Explore award-winning habitats and indoor tropical pavilions, daily keeper talks, seasonal animal shows and more. NEW opening this December: Terra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Into A Bright Future. Terra Lumina takes visitors on a journey through a luminous vision of our planet’s future. Passing through a portal, travelers will be transported to a fantastical vision of the year 2099, a time where humans have learned to live in harmony with nature, protecting our planet and the wildlife that calls it home.

Website

Trip planning:

Located at 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto : North of Hwy 401 on Meadowvale Road in Scarborough (~ 6 km from Toronto East city limit). Two TTC routes to the zoo.

Hours: Open 364 days a year. Closed on Dec 25.

Hours Vary.

Open during Nights during Terra Lumina.

Admission:

From $14.00 & up.

Child (ages 2 & younger): FREE

2. High Park Zoo

Things to do:

See over over 45 animals from 11 different species of mammals and birds. There are bisons, barbary sheep, Emu, reindeers, deer, llamas, peacocks for your little ones to discover. Website

Trip planning:

High Park Zoo is located on Deer Pen Road, Toronto

Hours: Open daily, 365 days a year | 07:00 AM to dusk.

llama pens are open to the public on weekends and holidays | 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

General Admission: Free

3. Far Away Farm

Things to do:

See over 40 different species of farmyard animals and exotic birds. Animals include mini pot belly pigs, alpacas and more. Website

Trip planning:

Far Away Farm is located at Centre Island, Toronto

Hours: Open daily, 365 days a year | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

General Admission: Free

4.Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm

Things to do:

A great place to take young children, and to get up close and personal with the animals. Oshawa zoo has over 45 species of animals spread over 22 acres. Website

Trip planning:

Oshawa Zoo is located at 3377 Grandview St N, Oshawa. Ph: (905) 655 5236

Hours: First week in May – end of school year 10:00-3:00 PM
Summer – Labour Day 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Labour Day – for 2 weeks 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Closed from Thanksgiving to end of April.

General Admission: Adults: $15, Seniors: $13, Children: $11
Family Maximum (2 adults and all children under 16): $52.00

5. Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park

Things to do:

Enjoy a free guided feeding tour, go on night Safari and explore the zoo with over 178 animals including all kinds of animals from the Cat world. Website

Trip planning:

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is located at 3667 Concession Rd 6, Orono. Ph: (905) 983-5016

Hours: Open daily, year round, weather permitting | 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM. Closed Dec 25 & Jan 1

General Admission: May – October
(Thanksgiving weekend)
Adults: $20.00, Teens and Seniors: $15.00, Children: $10.00, Children under 3: Free

October – April: Adults: $17.00, Teens and Seniors: $12.00, Children: $8.50, Children under 3: Free

6. Sundance Meadows Children’s Farm

Things to do:

Meet the farm animals and go on hay rides. Website

Trip planning:

Sundance Meadows Children’s Farm is located at 2315 Brock Conc Rd 1, Sunderland. Ph: 705-357-2725

Hours: Contact to book your tour.

General Admission: Call. 705-357-2725/

7. Lionels Farm

Things to do:

Go on sleigh rides in winter or pony rides and visit the farm animals in the petting zoo. Website

Trip planning:

Lionels Farm is located at 11714 Mccowan, Whitchurch-Stouffville. Ph: (905) 640-7669

Hours: May 2019 to September 30, 2019
Monday to Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm

October 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019

Monday to Friday: closed
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm

Sleigh rides, January to March

General Admission:

Weekdays: $3.00+HST/person. Children under 1 year old are free.

Weekends and Holidays (Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day): Adult (over 18) $5.00+HST/person. Children $3.00+HST/person. Children under 1 year old are free.

During the winter – Pony Rides & Wagon/Sleigh Rides are available but must be Pre-Booked

8. Reptilia Zoo & Education Facility

Things to do:

See over 250 reptiles, amphibians and arachnids, join for zoo keeper tours and face your fear and pet a reptile at this indoor zoo. Live theatre shows, reptile feedings, and venomous workshop make your visit truly interesting. Website

Trip planning:

Reptilia Zoo is located at 2501 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan. Ph: 905-761-6223

+ 1400 Victoria St East Whitby

Hours: Open daily, 364 days a year, closed on Christmas

Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Holidays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

General Admission: Ages (13 to 64): $17.00, Seniors (65+): $14.00; Ages (2-) – Free, Child(3 to 12): $12.00

10. Mountsberg Conservation Area

Things to do:

Visit the Raptor centre and see the birds of prey, see the bison herd, pet the farm animals, enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, and explore nature. Website

Trip planning:

Mountsberg Conservation Area is located at 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville. Ph: 905 854 2276

Hours: Year Round, Hours Vary.

General Admission: Adult (15-64)$7.75
Senior (65 & over)$6.75
Child (5-14)$5.50
Child (4 & under)Free

10. Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary

Things to do:

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, and abandoned farmed animals. Website

Trip planning:

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, Campbellville. Ph: 289-924-1187

Call for location.

Hours: Public tour season runs year round, Check Calendar.

An average visit, including the official tour, takes approximately 2 hours.

General Admission: Donation

11. Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Things to do:

Visit the 150 old barn in the provincial park with kids and have fun in the play barn, and visit the farm animals. After all the fun (in summer), cool off in one of the largest outdoor pools in Canada. Website

Trip planning:

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located at 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville. Ph: 905-827-6911

Hours: Open daily, 364 days a year, Closed on Christmas Day | 9:00 AM – 04:00 PM

General Admission: Day use fee: Vehicle: $17.00. Pool has extra usage fee.

12. African Lion Safari

Things to do:

Visit this family-owned safari park and see over 100 species of mammals and birds from across the world from the comfort of your own car. See birds of prey demonstrations, enjoy an Elephant rides (only zoo in the area that has an elephant), and more at this safari park. Website

Trip planning:

African Lion Safari is located at 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton. Ph: 519-623-2620

[ The zoo is located near Cambridge]

Hours: May 4 to September 29, 2019 | Hours Vary.

General Admission: Adult (13-59): $39.95, Senior (60+): $37.95, Children (3-12): $27.95, 2 and under: FREE

Fall Adult: $33.95; Fall Child: $22.95; Fall Senior: $31.95; 2 and under: FREE

13. Ostrich Land

Things to do:

Ostrich Land is a farm providing education and healthy products to families. There are three ostrich species in the farm: black, blue and red. You will discover the chicks in the nursery; meet, beak to beak, with a flock of ostriches and maybe have an opportunity to touch. In addition to ostriches, there are other farm animals, vegetable gardens and Ostrich-related products in the Shop including toys, lotions, soaps, and leather products. Website

Trip planning:

8299 Concession Rd 2, Caistor Centre – West Lincoln. Ph: 6479880841

[ A great visit en-route to Niagara Falls.]

Hours:

Saturdays, Sundays & holiday Mondays , Mid May to End of October | 11am to 5pm

General Admission: Admission for adults is $15, kids $6.