Southwick’s Zoo
More than eight hundred animals, wooded habitats, bird areas, rides, and conservation programs spread across a large family-operated campus.
Artwork inspired by Joseph Lindon Smith
More than eight hundred animals, wooded habitats, bird areas, rides, and conservation programs spread across a large family-operated campus. Southwick’s is physically expansive and operationally different from a compact urban zoo. Terrain, mixed exhibit ages, optional rides, seasonal programming, and privately funded conservation shape the day.
Arrive near opening, study the map before choosing loops, and treat rides as optional rather than necessary. Bring walking shoes and water; some paths and exhibits involve notable slopes. Admission does not include every ride, feeding, or encounter. Animal availability and seasonal attractions change with weather and welfare needs.
- Collection
- More than 800 animals
- Setting
- Wooded central Massachusetts
- Operation
- Family-operated
Quick guide
- Map the loops
- Backtracking across the zoo is costly.
- Start with priorities
- Animal activity and crowds change by hour.
Know before you go
- Map the loops
- Backtracking across the zoo is costly.
- Start with priorities
- Animal activity and crowds change by hour.
- Question the extras
- Rides can displace observation time.
- Plan for hills
- Distance and grade define the visit.
Good to know
Admission does not include every ride, feeding, or encounter. Animal availability and seasonal attractions change with weather and welfare needs.
Notice these
- Deer Forest
- EARTH Discovery Center
- Skyfari views