# Milwaukee County Zoo - Thanksgiving Weekend Animal Encounters & Indoor Pavilions > Place to go for families in the Milwaukee–Waukesha area (WI). Times are Central Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Dates: Starts Fri, Nov 27 - Where: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226 - Ages: All ages (Family Farm petting encounters and heated indoor pavilions for children) - Price: $15.50 (Adults) / $13 (Children ages 3-12) / Free for children 2 & under - Organizer: Milwaukee County Zoo & Zoological Society of Milwaukee - Official page: https://milwaukeezoo.org/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/milwaukee-county-zoo-thanksgiving-weekend-animal-encounters-and-indoor--listing-242fa5f64bc8b8afe82325a6 ## About Thanksgiving weekend at the Milwaukee County Zoo offers an incredible opportunity to see cold-hardy wildlife in their element across 190 wooded acres. Stroll past outdoor habitats to watch polar bears plunge into their chilled pools, snow leopards leap across rock outcroppings, and energetic river otters slide across riverbanks. When temperatures drop, families can duck into numerous heated indoor pavilions, including the Primates of the World building, the steamy Aquatic & Reptile Center, the Family Farm barnyard, and the expansive Elephant Care Center. Kids love riding the Safari Train and viewing animals up close without summer crowds. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Exceptionally stroller-friendly with wide, paved asphalt concourses throughout the entire zoo grounds, plus stroller rentals available at the main gate. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Dedicated nursing mothers stations and family restrooms equipped with baby changing counters located in the Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits building. • Age Suitability: Perfect for all ages from infants to grandparents. • Sensory Tips: Indoor reptile and primate houses offer warm, humid shelter; tranquil outdoor pathways provide plenty of space for families needing a quiet walking pace. ## Similar picks in Milwaukee - [Wild Lights Holiday Walk at Milwaukee County Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/wild-lights-holiday-walk-at-milwaukee-county-zoo--listing-b8931a296a16618b2c7b9861) — Nov 20 – Dec 31 · 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Milwaukee County Zoo · All ages · From $15 · checked Nov 7. The Milwaukee County Zoo shines brightly during the winter holiday season with Wild Lights, presented by the We Energies Foundation. Families can embark on a 1.5-mile illuminated… - [Milwaukee County Zoo: Winter Discovery Walks & Heated Pavilions](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/milwaukee-county-zoo-winter-discovery-walks-and-heated-pavilions--listing-aa115345adc8b2d07c24a59b) — Open on its own schedule · Milwaukee County Zoo · All ages · From $14 · checked Nov 5. Spanning 190 wooded acres, the Milwaukee County Zoo transforms into a peaceful winter wonderland with reduced seasonal admission and fewer crowds. Winter is one of the best times… - [Milwaukee County Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/milwaukee-county-zoo--listing-ee57ac795282ff09415dd0a8) — Through Oct 31, 2026: daily 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Nov 1–Dec 31, 2026: weekdays 9:30… · Milwaukee County Zoo · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 24. A large county-run zoo on Milwaukee's west side where families can walk among animal buildings and outdoor habitats, including the Aquatic & Reptile Center and the Dairy Complex… - [Pettit National Ice Center - Thanksgiving Weekend Family Open Public Skating](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/pettit-national-ice-center-thanksgiving-weekend-family-open-public-ska--listing-efdc8730346e87ad187c5f95) — Fri, Nov 27 · 12:00 PM · Pettit National Ice Center, West Allis · Ages 3–99 · From $10 · checked Nov 5. Gliding across the ice where Olympic champions train is a quintessential Wisconsin holiday tradition at the Pettit National Ice Center in West Allis. During Thanksgiving weekend… - [Fantastic Forest at the Milwaukee County Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/fantastic-forest-at-the-milwaukee-county-zoo--listing-f00b0f8265f7d899c90c6ab8) — Dec 1 – Dec 31 · Milwaukee County Zoo · All ages · checked Oct 30. Nearly 70 Christmas trees in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place are decorated with animal-themed ornaments by local youth groups, a prelude to walking into Wild Lights. - [Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo (December)](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/family-free-day-at-the-milwaukee-county-zoo-december--listing-4ffec9a17836031564f9c62b) — Sat, Dec 5 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM · Milwaukee County Zoo · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A winter Saturday when admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo is free for everyone. The zoo suggests warming up in its indoor animal buildings, such as the Aquatic & Reptile… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids at Milwaukee County Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/venues/milwaukee-county-zoo) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/venues/milwaukee-county-zoo.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee County, WI](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/counties/milwaukee-county-wi) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/counties/milwaukee-county-wi.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Milwaukee](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee.md)