Like most children, my kids LOVE animals. Babies seem to be especially intrigued by the tiniest fur babies and their giant parents. You can simply type in “petting zoo near me” and head to the nearest zoo, but there are quite a few lesser-known locations in the area where little ones can see and touch all sorts of unique critters and creatures. We’ve come up with a great list of 18 Magical Animal Encounters in and near Indianapolis with all of our favorite places to get nose-to-nose with animals.

18 Magical Animal Encounters

Animal Encounters: Dogs & Cats

Humane Society

Visit with cats and dogs at your local Humane Society. Many of them will have opportunities for you to visit with animals and maybe even volunteer to help with the care of the animals. Call your nearest Humane Society to ask about hours for tours, opportunities to cuddle the animals, and service opportunities.

Nine Lives Cat Cafe

Hang out with cats in a pretty cool cat habitat at Nine Lives Cat Cafe. Grab a latte or an Italian cream soda to sip on while you visit with cats. Kids can gently play with the cats and sometimes even hold them. There are lots of cat toys to use to engage with the cats as well.

Animal Encounters: Horses & Ponies

Fort Harrison State Park

Get an up-close view of horses and ponies. Kiddos who are big enough to sit up can ride on a horse and experience the amazing animals firsthand. The saddle barn at Fort Ben offers trail rides (for ages 8+) and lessons starting at $31 per person as well as parent-assisted pony rides for all ages for $6. 

Prancing Ponies

For $5 for each child, you can visit this family farm for unlimited miniature pony rides. Prancing Ponies also offers playground equipment to play on and other animals including a friendly goat, bunnies, chickens, and ducks that kids can pet and hold. Some other farm animals such as pigs and sheep are also available to see.

Animal Encounters: Exotic Animals

Wolf Park

Located just north of Lafayette, Wolf Park is a nonprofit specializing in the research, education, and conservation of wolves. The animals in the park consist of five species of wolves, all hand-raised and socialized to serve as ambassadors for their wild relatives. The Wolf Park offers guided tours, demonstrations, and lectures, and special evening hours include howling with the wolves! Admission is $5 per person and an additional $5 for a Walkabout guided tour. 

Exotic Feline Rescue Center

Located southwest of Indianapolis in Centerpoint, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center is a working rescue center and is one of the largest in the U.S. It houses nearly 200 large cats including lions, tigers, pumas, bobcats, and more. Hour-long tours are available for $5 per child 12 & under and $10 for adults. Children 5 and under must be with an adult or remain in a stroller at all times.

Hunter’s Honey Farm

Just south of Indianapolis, you can find Hunter’s Honey Farm, a farm that everyone should visit. While they aren’t animals, honey bees are so interesting and important to our vitality. Kids (and their adults) can visit a bee hive, learn about the different things that bees produce, and sample honey. This is probably the last thing you’d expect when searching for a petting zoo near me, but it’s unique and something you may not have thought of!

Animal Encounters: Nature Centers

Holliday Park Nature Center

The newly renovated Habitat Hall nature center at Holliday Park features a large water table, live animal enclosures, and other interactive exhibits. The Nature Center also features a bird and wildlife observation area with feeding stations and a sound system to allow viewers to hear the birds. The area is free and open to the public.

Eagle Creek Ornithology and Earth Discovery Center

Viewing enclosures that contain hawks, owls, and vultures, a Meet a Raptor demonstration, and bird walks are just a few activities offered at the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center. The Earth Discovery Center offers school and family programs, day camps, and more. Exhibits include live, native reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. Every Saturday and Sunday, the EDC hosts an informal family nature program. These are free and open to the public.

Zion Nature Center

Exhibits at the Zion Nature Center focus on local Indiana wildlife and habitats. Turtles, snakes, and amphibians are on display to serve as educational animals at the center. The center is located on the grounds of Eagle Elementary School in Zionsville.

Farms with a Petting Zoo Near Me:

Piney Acres

There are tons of farms with a petting zoo near me! Piney Acres is a wonderful option and offers access to their barnyard animals (chickens, goats, and pigs) during certain times of the year, like their Fall Festival. 

Kelsay Farms

During the fall, Kelsay Farms has animals for kids to see and interact with. The Old MacDonald Petting Zoo includes goats, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, a miniature horse, and even some bee hives.

Waterman’s Farm

Waterman’s Farm offers barnyard animals (mini cows, goats, sheep, ponies, alpacas) to visit and feed during their fall festival. Don’t miss the exotic animal display with exotic birds.

Tyner Pond Farm

Tyner Pond Farm supplies meat and eggs to Indianapolis residents and restaurants. Self-guided tours to visit cows, chickens, and pigs at all stages of life are welcome and special events are a lot of fun. Visit the farm fresh store and bring home local food for the week.

Fair Oaks Farm

A bit of a drive from Indy, Fair Oaks Farm is worth the trip for fans of barn animals. Visit the dairy barn and cow adventure complete with a birthing barn, the pig adventure including an ultrasound experience, and lots of opportunities for learning, exploring, and eating!

Fair Oaks Farm produces milk and other dairy products. Tours, self-guided tours, special events, and two restaurants make it a great location to get up close and personal with animals. We love recommending Fair Oaks Farm when asked for recommendations for a petting zoo near me!

Animal Encounters: Museums, Fairgrounds, Zoo

Conner Prairie

The animal encounter barn at Conner Prairie offers children an opportunity to see farm animals up close. Goats, sheep, calves, and other baby animals roam freely and children are often able to pet them. The grounds of Conner Prairie also offer chances to view horses, hogs, cattle, sheep, and goats, often doing the jobs they would have done in the 1800s.

Indiana State Fair Grounds

Check out the events calendar for the State Fair Grounds to see the schedule for horse shows, pet adoption events, and sheep auctions. Many events are free or cost just $5 for parking.

The Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is full of opportunities to see many kinds of animals from all over the world. While you’re at the zoo, you might have an up close and personal experience with any number of creatures. Walk through the zoo with the flamingos, feel the sweep of air as the macaws fly above you, peek at a sloth, feed the birds, paint with the dolphins, let a butterfly land on you at Butterfly Kaleidoscope, and so much more! While you may get many hits for a petting zoo near me search, the Indianapolis Zoo has the biggest variety!

What are your favorite animal encounters in Indy? Did you search for a “petting zoo near me” and find a cool place with animals? Share your thoughts and pictures with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!

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