What it is: Shalom Wildlife Zoo is a working farm that is also a licensed zoo. Visitors either walk or ride a rented golf cart through a three-mile loop of wooded land. You'll see elk, sheep, camels, ostriches, bears (yes, bears), zebra, and dozens of other types of animals.
Where: The address is 1901 Shalom Drive in West Bend, WI 53090. (Just put it in your navigation. Plan for a 40 minute drive from Milwaukee. Maybe screenshot the directions in case your signal goes out.)
Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Check their website for the most updated hours as they change throughout the year.
Cost of admission: Adults ($12) / Child ages 3-12 ($8) / Child ages 0-2 (Free)
Additional fees: Golf Cart rental ($30 for two hours) / Bucket of feed ($5)
Tips from a fellow mom:
If you have young children, rent the golf cart. I promise. Just rent the golf cart. It can be a long three miles without one.
If you need to wait for a golf cart, no worries. Take a short walk west of the gift shop to the Play and Picnic area. You can feed and pet the animals, and play on the playground.
The Grizzly Grill is a brand new restaurant located near to the entrance/exit. They offer wraps, sandwiches, and more, plus there are clean bathrooms to use.
To save money, there are picnic tables near the "Indian Artifact Museum" and in the Play and Picnic area where you can eat your packed lunches.
Purchase a bucket of feed so that the animals love you.
Pay attention to the signs about which animals you can feed and which ones to keep your distance from. (We had an ostrich-biting incident that is sure to become part of our family lore.)
Website: shalomwildlife.com