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Best Places to see animals in Ann Arbor - Nature Centers, Zoos, & More - Two brightly colored tropical birds from Creature Conservancy

The Best Places to See Animals near Ann Arbor

/ By / animals, timeless

Kids love animals. Did you know there are lots of opportunities to see animals near Ann Arbor? While there are two great zoos within an hour, they are both day trips. There are several nature centers, farms, and more offering a chance to visit animals. There are several closer options that don’t require the all day commitment.


Table Of Contents
  1. Featured Places to See Animals
  2. Where to Find Animals in Ann Arbor & Beyond
  3. Animals In Ann Arbor
  4. Animals in Livingston County
  5. Animals in Oakland County
  6. Animals in Monroe County
  7. Animals in Wayne County
  8. Animals in Ohio
  9. Seasonal Farms with Animals
  10. Other Places to See Animals

Featured Places to See Animals

Check out our partners:

Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center

Ann Arbor’s cat café, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (or “TLC” for short!) is an offshoot of the Humane Society of Huron Valley—a place where kids young and old can visit with kittens and cats in a comfy space. While all the felines there are available for adoption, there are no strings attached!

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Humane Society of Huron Valley

“Love starts here” is the Humane Society of Huron Valley’s motto, and they offer lots of youth activities to foster compassion—not to mention entertain! Both animal-loving and animal-fearing kiddos can benefit from a variety of programs at the modernized shelter.

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Where to Find Animals in Ann Arbor & Beyond

Check out this map for a quick reference, then scroll down to find animals in Ann Arbor and beyond.

Animals In Ann Arbor

The Petting Farm at Domino Farms

The Petting Farm at Domino Farms allows families the chance to interact up close with farm animals. Their animals include cows, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, and more.

You can feed the animals yourselves. Bags of feed are $2.

They offer tractor rides seasonally (weather permitting). Tractor ride tickets are $2.

Their hours change seasonally. We have provided them for Winter 2022-2023 (November 1-April 9)

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Domino’s Farms Petting Farm, 3001 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Sunday: 10a-4p

Monday: 10a-4p

Friday: 10a-4p

Saturday: 10a-4p

Price

$6. $5.50 for ages 60+. Kids 23 months & younger are FREE

The Creature Conservancy

The Creature Conservancy is a great place to see interesting animals. They are known for their rescues of exotic pets and for injured animals who cannot be released into the wild.

They have both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Outdoor viewing is limited in the winter, but many animals are outside during the summer.

Animals in Ann Arbor - Macaws at Creature Conservancy

They have indoor programs on the weekends. Join them to see the inside animals and for a live animal presentation. With social distancing in place, they offer two sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. Each session includes a live animal show on the Stone Stage featuring three animals that rotate each month.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

The Creature Conservancy, Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Sunday: Outdoor: 10a-6p Indoor: 1-5p

Monday: Outdoor: 10a-6p

Tuesday: Outdoor: 10a-6p

Wednesday: Outdoor: 10a-6p

Thursday: Outdoor: 10a-6p

Friday: Outdoor: 10a-6p

Saturday: Outdoor: 10a-6p Indoor: 1-5p

Price

Outdoor: Free. Indoor: $13/adult, $11/ages 2-11. $1 discount if bought in advance

Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center

Ann Arbor’s cat café, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (or “TLC” for short!) is an offshoot of the Humane Society of Huron Valley—a place where kids young and old can visit with kittens and cats in a comfy space. While all the felines there are available for adoption, there are no strings attached! Enjoy “Tiny Tails Story Time,” “Cats and Kids,” or “Mewvie Night,” or simply drop in when they’re open (Tues-Sat 12-7, Sun 12-5). They also offer birthday parties and room rentals.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Tiny Lions lounge & adoption Center, 5245 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Sunday: noon-5p

Tuesday: 2-7p

Wednesday: 2-7p

Thursday: 2-7p

Friday: 2-7p

Saturday: 2-7p

Price

Humane Society of Huron Valley

“Love starts here” is the Humane Society of Huron Valley’s motto, and they offer lots of youth activities to foster compassion—not to mention entertain!

Both animal-loving and animal-fearing kiddos can benefit from a variety of programs at the modernized shelter. Check below for their upcoming event schedule.

  • “Little Paws Story Time” for ages 2-5, along with“Sensory Story Time” for neurodiverse youth, include stories and safe interactions with animals.
  • “Pets and Pajamas” for school-age children are drop-off events, giving parents a break and kids a fun, animal-focused alternative to a babysitter on Friday nights.
  • “Rescue Reading” is a win-win for kids and animals alike; giving young readers a chance to practice their skills in front of a non-judgmental audience, and friendly animals a chance to socialize.

HSHV also offers youth volunteer opportunities, camps when school is out, and special events throughout the year. Check below for their upcoming event schedule.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Humane Society of Huron Valley, Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Price

Leslie Science & Nature Center

Leslie Science & Nature Center is an outdoor Ann Arbor treasure. Explore the Black Pond Woods trail in different season, visit the raptor enclosures any time, or check out their new nature playscape.

Animals in Ann Arbor - Turkey Vulture at LSNC

The Critter House is open during select days and events. Be sure to check our calendar for details.

Leslie Science & Nature Center hosts great events for all ages. Their marquis events include the annual Ann Arbor Earth Day Celebration, Monarch Migration Festival, and Animal Haunts. Throughout the year they also host additional events like hikes, campfires, and even a camping day.

Each summer they host Summer Camps plus they host camps on select days off from school.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Leslie Science and Nature Center, Traver Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Dawn-Dusk

Price

Free

White Lotus Farms Farmers Market

White Lotus Farms offers Farmers Markets and a chance to visit their animals while you shop.

For 2022, they added a new pavilion to provide shelter from the sun and rain while shopping at the market. Shop the fresh grown produce, but also their bakery, creamery, and take home meals. They also feature products from other local farms and businesses.

While at the Farmers Market, make time to visit their animals including baby goats.

They offer a Saturday market year round and Wednesday markets in Spring through Fall

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Website

At a Glance

Location

White Lotus Farms, West Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Saturday: 9a-2p

Price

Animals in Livingston County

Howell Nature Center

The Wild Wonders Wildlife Park at Howell Nature Center features a half-mile woodland trail with over 70 animals.

The animals represent 30 bird, mammal, and reptile species that are native to Michigan. All of the animals at Howell Nature Center have been permanently injured or have imprinted on humans and cannot be released.

Alexandria’s NatureScape is a natural children’s play area with a waterfall kids can splash in, sand dunes they can dig in, stumps to jump and spider webs for climbing. Kids can build a shelter, water paint, and more. Towering above the naturescape is the Tree House, a wheel chair-accessible treehouse with 7000 square feet of ramps, suspension bridges, and platforms. Inside the Treehouse, you’ll find hands-on activities like a discovery table, book nook, and bird watching.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Howell Nature Center, 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

10a-5p Daily

Price

$7/18+, $5/ages 3-17, Free for kids 2 & under

Animals in Oakland County

Detroit Zoo

Make a day of it with a day trip to the Detroit Zoo. A few of our favorite animals to visit are the penguins and polar bears, the prairie dogs, the red panda, and the kangaroo. They even have a wolverine.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Detroit Zoo, 8450 West 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

October-March: 10a-4p, April-August 9a-5p. September 9a-4p. Be sure to check for closures due to events especially Zoo Boo

Price

Kensington Metropark Farm Center

Kensington Metropark’s Farm Center lets kids (and adults) experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a life on the farm.

Visit their 150 year old barn, the poultry house, or the barn exhibit.

While at Kensington Metroparks, you can also visit other areas of the park like the lake for swimming or boating, or the Splash & Blast spray ground ($4 admission fee)

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Kensington Metropark, 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

November-February: 9a-4p, March-October 9a-6p

Price

Vehicle Entry Fee: $10/day, $40/year

Carousel Acres

Carousel Acres in South Lyon offers pony parties and mobile petting zoos. You can also visit their farm in spring-fall. They do offer private parties and more on the

During the season, they offer pony rides ($5) on Saturday and Sunday. They also have a parakeet aviary. The other animals you see on the farm may vary based on which are out at mobile petting zoos.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Carousel Acres, inc., 12749 9 Mile Road, South Lyon, MI, USA

Season

Seasonal –

Schedule

Price

Animals in Monroe County

Indian Creek Zoo

Indian Creek Zoo is a small zoo located in Lambertville. Their animals range from bunnies and cows to more exotic animals like giraffe, capybaras, ostriches, and kangaroos.

With older kids, you can splurge on an encounter with a giraffe, lemur, or sloth.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Indian Creek Zoo, 2744 Consear Road, Lambertville, MI, USA

Season

Seasonal April 1, 2022-December 30, 2022

Schedule

10a-5p April-October, 10-3:30p November/December

Price

$16/adults, $14/children (3-17), $15/seniors (65+) & military. Free

Calder Dairy

Head out to Calder Dairy and visit the cows that produce their milk. Plan your visit for milking time at 4p. The milking area was recently renovated and now has fun interactive activities. Then buy some milk, yogurt, ice cream, or other dairy products to take home.

While at the dairy, you can also visit horses, goats, ducks, geese, and more. The new goat area lets you see the goats running up and down their playscape to get feed you send to them.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Calder Dairy and Farm, 9334 Finzel Road, Carleton, MI, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

10a-7p Daily

Price

Free

Animals in Wayne County

Maybury Farm

Northville’s Maybury Farm is a working farm whose mission is to connect the community to animals and agriculture with hands-on experiences.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Maybury Farm, Eight Mile Road, Northville, MI, USA

Season

Seasonal April 11, 2023-October 29, 2023

Schedule

Sunday: 10a-5p

Tuesday: 10a-5p

Wednesday: 10a-5p

Thursday: 10a-5p

Friday: 10a-5p

Saturday: 10a-5p

Price

$7/person general admission. Children under 2 & members are free

Animals in Ohio

Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo is our favorite place to visit animals – but it is a day trip. I have always loved visiting the polar bear, tigers, and the primates. Nature’s Neighborhood is also a big hit.

Toledo Zoo Africa

For older kids, don’t miss their Aerial Adventure Course which operates during spring-fall.

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Website

At a Glance

Location

Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, USA

Season

Year Round –

Schedule

Vary Seasonally. 10a-2p in January (last entry at noon, buildings closed). Closed Tuesdays

Price

Seasonal Farms with Animals

Several seasonal farms also give you the chance to see animals.

About Blast Corn Maze at Nixon Farm

Blast Corn Maze is located in Dexter. They offer 3 levels of difficulty in their corn maze. They also offer u-pick pumpkins, mountain of straw, corn box, picture props, corn cannon, cow train, duck races, and pedal cars.

Read More

Crops:

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Fall Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts

:

Location

The Blast Corn Maze, Daly Road, Dexter, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Blake Orchards

In summer 2022, Erwin Orchards in South Lyon closed as the owners have retired. Blake Orchards out of Armada, MI purchased the property. While Armada is a bit of a drive from Ann Arbor, South Lyon is much closer. Erwin has always been on our lists and we are updating the listings to reflect the…

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Crops: Raspberries Pumpkins Cherries Apples

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Fall Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts, Other Baked Goods, Hot Dogs, Other Meals

Market Products: Fresh Produce, Jams & Jellies

Location

61475 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon, MI, USA

Farm Hours

9a-5p for Sweet Cherries Thursday-Sunday
Daily 8a-7p August 20-October 31

Website
Best Site for Updates

About DeBuck’s Family Farm

DeBuck’s Family Farm offers a variety of family fun. In the summer, they have lavender and sunflowers. In fall, they have a corn maze and pumpkin patch. During fall they offer a family fun area with other attractions like Bounce Pads, Human Foosball, pedal trikes, and more.

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Crops: Pumpkins Sunflowers

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Fall Activities

Food: Donuts, Other Baked Goods, Other Meals

:

Location

DeBuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, 50240 Martz Road, Belleville, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Summer (Lavender & Sunflowers)
Wednesdays & Fridays: 10a-4p
Saturdays & Sundays: 10a-6p
Fall (Corn Maze & Pumpkins)
Saturdays & Sundays 10a-6p
October Thursdays & Fridays: 10a-4p

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Parmenter’s Cider Mill

Parmenter’s Cider Mill opens August 26, 2023 for their 150th season! Next door to the cider mill is their Northville Winery and Brewing Co offering beers, wines and hard ciders. They have live music and food trucks there Wednesdays through Sundays.

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Crops: Apples

Activities: Animals Play Area Fall Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts, Other Baked Goods, Hot Dogs, Other Meals, Winery, Alcoholic Beverages

Market Products: Fresh Produce, Jams & Jellies

Location

Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill, 714 Base Line Road, Northville, MI, USA

Farm Hours

10a-8p daily

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Wiards Orchards & Country Fair

Wiard’s Orchard and Country Fair combines u-pick fruit with the activities of a country fair. The Country Fair opens on weekends starting Saturday, September 9. Beginning Wednesday, September 20 they will also be open Wednesday-Fridays. They close for the season on October 29 In addition to offering u-pick apples & pumpkins, they also offer family fun with corn maze, playgrounds,…

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Crops: Pumpkins Apples

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Fall Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts, Other Baked Goods

Market Products: Fresh Produce, Jams & Jellies

Location

Wiard’s Orchards, Merritt Road, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Country Fair:
Wednesdays-Fridays 10a-6p
Saturdays & Sundays 11a-6p
Country Store:
Tuesdays-Sundays 9a-6p

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Three Cedars Farm

Three Cedars Farm in Northville offers a cider mill, hay rides, train rides, corn maze and a u-pick pumpkin patch. Don’t miss their storybook farm featuring Three Little Pigs, Little Red Hen, Peter Rabbit, and more. They opened for the 2021 season on Labor Day Weekend. I have never visited Three Cedars Farm, but it has been recommended by…

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Crops: Pumpkins Apples

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Winter Holiday Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts

Market Products: Fresh Produce

Location

7897 Six Mile Road, Northville, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Fall Hours:
Sundays-Thursdays: 10a-8p
Fridays & Saturdays: 10a-10p
Labor Day weekend, Halloween, & November 3-5: 10a-6p

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Coleman’s Farm Saline

Coleman’s Farm in Saline used to primarily be a corn maze. They no longer offer a corn maze – but have expanded their other offerings to U-pick apples, pumpkins, a sunflower field, and mums. Plus, you can visit baby animals and enjoy donuts and cider.

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Crops: Pumpkins Apples

Activities: Animals Fall Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts

:

Location

12758 Jordan Road, Saline, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Saturdays: 10a-6p
Sundays: noon-4p

Website
Best Site for Updates

About Spicer Orchards

Spicer Orchards is a large orchard in Fenton that offers a wide variety of u-pick fruits as well as sunflowers, a corn maze, and even Santa. They are one of the only orchards offering u-pick cherries with both sweet and tart cherries. It is always fun to watch their pitting machine go to work on…

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Crops: Strawberries Blueberries Raspberries Pumpkins Cherries Peaches Apples Pears Sunflowers

Activities: Wagon/Hay Rides Animals Play Area Fall Activities Winter Holiday Activities

Food: Cider, Donuts, Ice Cream, Sandwiches, Other Meals, Winery, Alcoholic Beverages

Market Products: Fresh Produce, Jams & Jellies, Unpopped Popcorn, Baked Items, Other Grocery Items

Location

Spicer Orchards Farm Market, Cider Mill, Fudge, Bakery, 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton, MI, USA

Farm Hours

Summer: First wagon at 8a.
After Labor Day First Wagon at 9a
Last wagon goes out at 5:30p, returns around 6:15p
Market closes at 7p

Website
Best Site for Updates

Other Places to See Animals

Local parks are also a good way to see animals. Gallup Park is great for ducks and geese.

Animals make frequent appearances at events around town. Our calendar has a separate category of animal related events.

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