Kid-Favorite Petting Farms & Zoos Near Philadelphia

Shila:  Lehigh Valley Zoo is home to over 250 animals representing more than 128 species. For an enhanced experience, check out their several animal close encounters, including with raccoons, otters, sloths, penguins and more!

Shila:  Linvilla Orchards offers pick your own produce (e.g. apples, berries, peaches, etc.) and other fun attractions like family festivals, story time, mini golf, a playground, and seasonal hayrides. Animals such as white tailed deer, calves, goats, horses, sheep, emus, peacocks, and a pot-bellied pig (to name a few) welcome you to the barnyard. You may also catch an incubator full of eggs within the Garden Center. If you're lucky, kids can witness the hatching of chicks. No charge to enter the barnyard!

Juan L.:  The Elmwood Park Zoo is smaller than the famous Philadelphia Zoo, and very kid friendly. With exhibits on zebras, monkeys, and large jungle cats, it definitely doesn't feel like a small town zoo. They even have some fun seasonal animals like reindeer, which the kids love during the holidays.

Shila:  Merrymead Farm is a family-owned working dairy farm and farm market quite popular for its non-hormone milk, delicious homemade ice cream, fresh produce, flowers, decor, baked goods and more. Year round highlights bring families from afar to celebrate the seasons, from a springtime bunny to a fall corn maze! Families can observe cow milking operating daily and visit farm animals including baby chicks & ducklings (in the spring), cows, calves, sheep, bunnies, peacocks, goats & more.

This free 15-acre zoo is nestled in Bridgeton's 1100-acre park. Home to about 100 animals across 45 species, some favorites include the Asiatic Black Bear, Fishing Cat, White Handed Gibbon, Brazilian Porcupine and African Serval.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  One of the oldest zoos in the United States, The Philadelphia Zoo will surpass your expectations. They feature exciting animal exhibits including Big Cats, Penguins, Primate Reserve, Reptiles, Birds and many more. Your kids will love KidZooU filled with hands-on activities to promote learning, conservation and animal life. Be sure to look up as you explore to catch their Zoo360 where animals roam in enclosed mesh trails throughout the zoo. Make your visit even more memorable with attractions including scavenger hunts and carousel rides to animal experiences and more.

Shila:  Adventure Aquarium offers several behind the scenes or up close and personal opportunities for awesome animal encounters, including penguins, sea turtles and hippos.

Shila:  This is a popular family-friendly farm & market with plenty of attractions like hayrides, seasonal pick your own produce (e.g. apple picking, pumpkins, etc) & the opportunity to run around in the Discovery Barnyard Playground. The playground is equipped with pedal-karts, climbing rocks, a pretend farm, 3 splash pads & more. The Barnyard is great for guests of all ages, as is the entire farm experience. The animal farm is home to sheep, goats & chickens.

Shila:  Terhune Orchards Farm offers pick-your-own produce (e.g. apples, berries, pumpkins). Kids will enjoy the pedal tractors to play on, as well as meeting the many farm animals who live there year round... sheep, goats, donkeys, ducks, geese and chickens!