You don’t need to go far to meet farm animals and exotic creatures — many are just a short drive away! Check out these places around Indiana where you can experience feedings, meet-and-greets, selfie opportunities, and tours with some of your favorite animals.
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
1426 W. Main St., Albion
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in northern Indiana houses large cats, bears, monkeys, reptiles, birds and more. Register online for a day visit and tour the 18-acre sanctuary. Black Pine offers feeding tours, educational tours and private tours.
Conner Prairie Animal Encounters
13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers
Step inside Conner Prairie’s barn and meet some of the farm’s animals up close. You’ll encounter big life lessons about animal husbandry, life cycles and silly and surprising animal behaviors. Speak one-on-one with the specialists who care for animals year-round on our grounds. Animals roam freely in the barn, allowing visitors to get a closer look and even pet the animals.
Exotic Feline Rescue Center
2221 E Ashboro Rd., Center Point
The Exotic Feline Rescue Center (EFRC) invites visitors to explore the captivating world of its furry inhabitants. The center offers daily tours that last about an hour. This provides a unique opportunity for guests to learn about the rescue efforts and inspiring stories of these mighty creatures. From privately owned “pets” to retired circus animals, the range of big cats now residing at EFRC have found a permanent home and safe haven to live their lives in peace and harmony.
Heritage Farm
4175 North 1200 West, Flora
Looking for a unique, educational and cost-effective getaway? Heritage Farm offers families an experience they won’t soon forget, and it’s located only one hour north of Indianapolis. This is a working alpaca farm with more than 50 alpacas you can see, touch and interact with. Visitors can book an overnight stay at the 120-acre farm in one of the several different lodging options, or just visit for the day.
Indianapolis Zoo Animal Encounters
1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Zoo offers several animal encounters for ages 6 and older, that go above and beyond your typical trip to the zoo. Sloths, cockatoos, dolphins, elephants and rhinos are just some of the animals that you can get up-close and personal with. For art lovers, the Animal Art Adventures program allows groups of four to watch elephants, orangutans and penguins create a custom masterpiece as a souvenir.
Natural Valley Ranch
6310 County Rd 350 N., Brownsburg
Natural Valley Ranch is a 78-acre ranch that runs along White Lick Creek, and is the biggest ranch in Hendricks County for horseback riding. The petting zoo includes a variety of farm and domestic animals, such as miniature goats, chickens, miniature horses, rabbits, sheep, pigs, cats and dogs. The ranch welcomes snacks for the animals: stale bread, stale cookies, fruits and vegetables that are a few days ripe are favorites.
Oinking Acres
8420 N. County Rd 650 E., Brownsburg
This farm and rescue sanctuary has a mission to help as many animals as possible find suitable homes, and provides sanctuary for those that are not adoptable. Primarily a pig farm, guests at Oinking Acres can also spend time with ducks, goats and other small farm animals. Tours can be scheduled online. Feel free to bring produce, such as cucumbers, carrots and apples to make a pot-bellied pig your new friend.
Wilstem Wildlife Park
4229 US-150 W., Paoli
View more than 50 animals during Wilstem Wildlife Park‘s drive-thru safari experience, where you can greet animals from the comfort of your vehicle. Or get up-close to elephants, sloths, giraffes, kangaroos and grizzly bears during one of the animal encounters that the park offers.
Wolf Park
4004 E. 800 N, Battle Ground
Just outside Lafayette, Wolf Park sits on 78 acres and is home to wolves, foxes and an Eastern Box Turtle. Stop by for a guided tour, where you can learn more about the animals and the organization’s conservation efforts.
