PETTING ZOO NEAR ME: 17 MOST ADORABLE PETTING ZOOS IN GEORGIA

A petting zoo and kids go together like cookies and milk. There is just something about interacting with a fuzzy friend that makes children smile.

If you find yourself asking, “Where is a great petting zoo near me?” — we have a great list for you. Some of these animal farms in Georgia you may have heard of, and some may surprise you!

Here are 17 of the most adorable petting zoos in Georgia that we know you and your children will love.

PETTING ZOO NEAR ME: NORTH OF ATLANTA

NORTH GEORGIA ZOO (CLEVELAND)

The North Georgia Zoo has a wide variety of animals, and several ways to have a personal animal encounter.

Participate in the capybara splash experience, the penguin experience, the baby sloth experience, or the young wolf experience. Meet and greet reptiles, or just make a visit to the petting farm, where you can get up close to the animals in the petting farm, feed them, participate in bottle feedings (seasonal), and take a tour of the farm.

If you want to see more animals, consider a Safari Tour. In the summer, you’ll find an overnight teen camp, and in the spring, you can “meet the babies.” North Georgia Zoo has plenty of exotic animals to visit, so you and your child are sure to have a great time.

Read More: NORTH GEORGIA ZOO: 5 BEST REASONS TO VISIT

CHESTATEE WILDLIFE PRESERVE & ZOO (DAHLONEGA)

Visit the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo in Dahlonega and see exotic animals like tigers, zebras, camels, bears, and more. You can also feed animals here, like buffalo, deer, turtles, and others.

If you want to get up close to a sloth, they have a sloth encounter here. Once a day, Chestatee Wildlife Preserve offers the chance to give their sloth, Flash, a gift (we hear he likes stuffed animals and pillows) and you can feed him too!

GOATS ON A ROOF (TIGER)

As you might expect from the name, this country store has goats on the roof! Feed the goats via ropes and pulleys, or let them come to you through one of the fences.

You can find Goats on a Roof just down the road from Tallulah Gorge State Park, and it makes a great roadside stop. In addition to the goats, you’ll also find gem mining, ice cream, lunch items, and a playground.

Read More: 21 THINGS EVERY FAMILY SHOULD DO AT TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK

PETTIT CREEK FARMS (CARTERSVILLE)

Located just a few miles from historic downtown Cartersville, Pettit Creek Farms is home to a menagerie of animals to rival national zoos.

Pettit Creek Farms is home to the largest camel heard in Georgia. You’ll also find common farm animals here, along with exotic animals like giraffes, zebras, capybaras, lemurs, llamas, and more. Pet and feed animals from around the world, all from the comfort of your vehicle, during a Farm Tour. Afterwards, visit the petting zoo or take a pony ride.

On weekends, they offer ziplining, swings, a Euro bungy, and more.

Read More: FAMILIES LOVE ADORABLE PETTIT CREEK FARMS IN CARTERSVILLE, GA

TANGLEWOOD FARM (CANTON)

NOTE: Tanglewood is currently closed to visitors. We will update once we get the word.

Tanglewood Farms is an entire Western-themed town of miniature farm animals, the perfect size for little ones. Plus, since this is a working farm, they do tours by appointment, so you (and the animals) won’t be overwhelmed.

The tours are approximately 45 minutes to an hour, so there is plenty of time to warm up to the creatures and get some good photos.

PETTING ZOO NEAR ME: PETTING ZOOS IN ATLANTA

ZOO ATLANTA

Although most of the zoo animals at Zoo Atlanta are kept away from curious hands, there are a few places where you can touch the animals.

One awesome animal experience is the giraffe feedings. Stand eye-to-eye and let the tallest living land mammals nibble lettuce from your hand. For an extra fee, you can also participate in behind-the-scenes wild animal encounters, featuring lemurs, elephants, tortoises, and Giant pandas. Before promising anyone they can feed the animals, be sure to inquire when and if interactions are happening during your visit.

Zoo Atlanta also has a barnyard where you can pet and brush goats and sheep. A visit to the barnyard is included with your General Admission ticket. Get Your Guide is a great place to get your Zoo Atlanta General Admission tickets.

Read More: 9 BIG QUESTIONS (+ ANSWERS) THAT EVERYONE ASKS ABOUT ZOO ATLANTA

GEORGIA AQUARIUM

So maybe this is a stretch for a petting zoo, but did you know you can touch some of the animals at the Georgia Aquarium?

There is the stingray tank, as well as a touch tank at the beginning of the Coldwater Quest exhibit. Adults & children love to feel wet rubbery skin. Plus all the touch tanks are included with the price of admission.

You can also pay an extra fee for certain up-close interactions with the animals, such as the Dolphin Encounter which allows you to touch and feed the friendly animals.

Get Skip-the-Line tickets from Get Your Guide for the Georgia Aquarium, so you and your crew can skip the purchase line and skip right to the security line upon arrival.

Read More: GEORGIA AQUARIUM: ATLANTA’S BELOVED ATTRACTION THAT LIVES UP TO THE HYPE

YELLOW RIVER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (LILBURN)

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is back in action (formerly Yellow River Game Ranch) and it is SO MUCH BETTER than before. You can tell they truly care for the animals here.

In the barnyard, you’ll find plenty of animals to feed from cups, such as tortoise, sheep, goats, cattle, mini horse, mini donkey, and alpaca. Throughout your tour of the sanctuary, you can also feed deer and the bison from a cup.

For a truly exceptional experience, consider booking a Walk on the Wildside Tour. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with some of the animals and learn more about them during this 2-hour guided tour with the YRWS Keepers. You’ll get two animal encounters, feed cups, plus a guaranteed chance to feed the bison.

PETTING ZOO NEAR ME: SOUTH OF ATLANTA

YULE FOREST (STOCKBRIDGE)

I think of Yule Forest in the fall for their pumpkin patch, but they also have a petting zoo that is open seasonally during the fall and holidays. Pet cows, goats, sheep, miniature horses, and even an emu! Plus, my boys love to wear themselves out on the huge jumpy pillow.

SOUTHERN BELLE FARM (MCDONOUGH)

There is always a special event going on at the Southern Belle Farm, from spring berry picking to pumpkins in the fall.

In addition to my favorite scrumptious homemade strawberry ice cream, Southern Belle Farm also has Belle’s Barn, home to chickens, donkeys, cows and calves, goats, horses and other farm animals. Make sure to stop by during your visit, and let the kids enjoy all the other amazing farm activities here too!

Read More: SOUTHERN BELLE FARM: FOUR SEASON OF FESTIVE FUN

WILD ANIMAL SAFARI (PINE MOUNTAIN)

The main attraction at Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, GA is the drive-thru animal safari that will have you regaling friends for years to come.

You can either drive through in your own vehicle, or rent one of their vans, and drive through the many animals who call this place home — while feeding them. Trust me, you’ll get close to them…like, really close. They will stick their heads right through your windows to get the tasty feed pellets! (Make sure to wash your hands afterwards…)

WILD GEORGIA SAFARI PARK (I-16 NEAR METTER)

After becoming a favorite stop on I-16 near Metter for years, the “petting zoo at the gas station” is now officially the Wild Georgia Safari Park. (You still purchase your tickets and food from the gas station, though!)

The perfect place for a road trip break, this petting zoo area features capybaras, llamas, an ostrich, alligators, birds, tortoises, goats, and more. The animals are in a fence, but you can walk right up to them (and they’ll be reaching for you if you have the coveted feed in your hands).

There’s also a drive-through option here too. A guide will drive you through their safari, pointing out animals and facts along the way.

WILD ADVENTURES THEME PARK (VALDOSTA)

Not only does Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta feature roller coasters, rides, and water park fun — they’ve got plenty of exotic animals too!

You’ll find a petting zoo here, where kids can get up-close to baby animals like ducks, bunnies and goats. The petting zoo is included with the price of admission.

If you want a more in-depth experience, try the Ultimate Animal Feeding Package. The package includes 2 giraffe feedings, 2 cups of feed for The Birdhouse, 2 bags of gator food at Discovery Outpost, 1 cup of feed for Liberty Farms Petting Zoo, 2 nature feeds for the pond, and a souvenir photo.

MOBILE PETTING ZOOS

LITTLE RED BARN MOBILE PETTING ZOO (CALHOUN)

Did you know that unicorns are real, and you can get them to come to your next birthday party? Well, Little Red Barn Mobile Petting Zoo makes it possible.

Little Red Barn Mobile Petting Zoo is perfect for birthday parties, festivals, and other events. The animals here are calm and great with kids, making them the perfect introduction for little ones.

CRICKET’S MOBILE PETTING ZOO (KENNESAW)

Cricket’s Mobile Petting Zoo can bring the farm to your next party, festival or event. This mobile petting zoo serves all of north and central Georgia, including the Greater Atlanta Metro areas.

Interact with sheep, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs and more. Cricket generally brings between 20 and 25 furry and friendly animals. They also have pony rides and a trackless train for rent.

WILDLIFE WONDERS (CLEVELAND)

Wildlife Wonders is the mobile petting zoo associated with the North Georgia Zoo. If you can’t make it to the Cleveland farm, have the zoo animals come to you. You can have anywhere from 8 to 18 animals come to your next event!

WW houses over 400 animals and has provide programs for Stone Mountain Park, Lake Lanier Islands, Peachtree Presbyterian,  Jack Hannah and many others. They also offer several online virtual activities as well.

SAM’S PATH PETTING ZOO (HARTWELL)

This mobile zoo brings animal interactions and education to you! Featuring exotic animals and more, the animals with Sam’s Path Petting Zoo are well-mannered and great with a crowd.

Perfect for birthday parties, festivals, events and more, Sam’s Path Petting Zoo is a great way for children and adults to learn from the great animals.

You’ll see camels, monkeys, kangaroos, zebras, lemurs, mini-horses, mini-donkeys, and more.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN ATLANTA

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
• BIRTHDAY PARTY PLACES: 45+ Unforgettable Atlanta Kids’ Birthday Party Places Near Me
• LEGOLAND: 12+ Ways Legoland Atlanta Is Awesome For Kids
• RAINY DAY: 52+ Amazing Rainy Day Indoor Kids Activities Near Me In Atlanta
• FERNBANK: Why Fernbank Museum Is The Best Museum In Atlanta For Kids

• About
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Sue Rodman

Co-Founder at 365 Atlanta Traveler

Sue came to Atlanta after finishing the Walt Disney World College Program where she was a tour guide then guest relations hostess (and no she did not moonlight as Snow White). Sue spent 25 years in PR before adding freelance travel writing to her resume. Prior to 365 Atlanta Traveler, Sue published an award winning family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue for eight years, and produced a TV segment with the same name on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Her favorite place to visit is anywhere with her husband and three sons. Sue believes anytime is a good time for dessert and there are no bad field trips, just better stories.

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