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Best Places to Get Close to Animals in Champaign-Urbana

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The top places to see animals up close in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities

 

Where to go in the Champaign-Urbana area to find family friendly animal experiences

Whether they are furry or feathered, scaly or slimy, animals are beloved by kids both small and big. Looking at — and maybe even feeding — some new animal friends makes for a great family outing. There are numerous places where Champaign-Urbana families can get close to animals and we round them all up right here.

Best Places to See Animals Around Champaign-Urbana

Here are some of the top places in the Champaign-Urbana area that will give you the opportunity to see a variety of creatures and critters up close.

Prairie Farm

Open Memorial Day through early August, this “farm” includes a variety of animals for kids to see and some they can touch. Cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, llamas, donkeys, peacocks, rabbits, turtles, goats and turkeys are all featured at the farm. There’s also a nice koi pond to watch the fish swim. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon with little ones and a sweet family summer tradition. Bring closed-toe shoes and arrived between 3 and 5 p.m. for the petting zoo area. FREE.

Prairie Farm goat

Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery

It’s goats galore at Prairie Fruits Farm in Champaign, as well as a few chickens. Your kids will love the adorable four-legged kids at this working goat farm that’s known for its delicious goat cheese products, wines and other drinks and occasional farm-to-table dinners. Special events will give you the best chance to get up close to the animals, like Dote on the Does in the spring (pictured below) or Goaty Halloween, where goats in costume will roam around. Hours vary by the season, so check the website. (Special events may have a cost or suggested donation.)

Prairie Fruits Farm Dote on the Does

Anita Purves Nature Center

The different types of snakes, box turtles and Eastern Screech Owls at this nature center are used to getting visitors as many people stop in during a typical year. FREE.

Meet a snake at Anita Purves
One of the snakes that calls Anita Purves Nature Center home

Homer Lake Interpretive Center

A snake, turtles and fish are the resident animals used to educate visitors at the center. FREE, but sponsoring the animals is appreciated to help support their ongoing care.

Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

Open seasonally in the fall through Christmas, this unique family-owned attraction includes a herd of Alaskan reindeer you can get up close and personal with. FREE. (Reindeer tours and other activities have a cost).

reindeer at hardy's reindeer ranch

Curtis Orchard

The orchard, open July 20 through Christmas Eve, features goats, chickens and more. Enjoy the kittens during the warmer months. FREE. (Attractions, like pony rides during the fall, have a cost.)

Find kittens roaming at Curtis Orchard

Aikman Wildlife Adventure

This unique drive-through animal park in Arcola (at the former Rockome Gardens location) features zebras, camels, peacocks, llamas and more. Read one mom’s review. About 45 minutes from Champaign-Urbana. Admission rates vary by type of experience you want. Typically open five days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Open only on weekends between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Aikman Wildlife Zebras
Feed the zebras at Aikman Wildlife Adventure

Rural King

If the delicious free popcorn doesn’t lure you in, the fuzzy chicks and fluffy bunnies will do the trick. “Chick days” start in early spring.

Rural King Chicks
Chick days at Rural King

South Farms

Don’t worry, nobody will think you’re weird if you pull over and park to look at the cows and horses at the South Farms. If they do, just tell them it’s a local tradition. It’s located on St. Mary’s Road between Lincoln and Fourth Street.

Fistulated Cow at South Farms
Fistulated Cow at South Farms

Local Pet Stores

Whether you’re shopping for a guinea pig or just admiring the tropical fish, Sailfin, Pet Smart, and Pet Supplies Plus are local pet stores that will allow your child to see a variety of different animals up close. Beware though, when your child finds out these animals are actually for sale, they may want to bring one of them home.

Special Animal Events

  • U of I Vet Med Open House, typically each fall
    This annual event attracting thousands of visitors is an amazing opportunity for animal-lovers of all ages to get a behind-the-scenes look at the only veterinary school in Illinois. See dozens of exhibits, demonstrations and large and small animals at the open house (be sure to check our calendar).
  • Sundance Alpacas, Bement
    Sundance Alpaca farm in Bement may have special events throughout the year open to the public. Follow it on Facebook for that info.
  • Harden Ranch, Fairmount
    Harden Bison Ranch has special events throughout the year open to the public. Follow it on Facebook for that info.

Zoos

If you’ve got more time, we have a number of zoos within a few hours from Champaign-Urbana. Here are some of our favorites:

Some ideas for trips you can take with your family: