The Randall Oaks Zoo, located in West Dundee, is a hidden gem that promises a delightful day out for families, animal lovers, and curious minds. This intimate zoo provides a unique opportunity to connect with a variety of animals in a serene and well-maintained environment all while creating a fun and engaging family experience for toddlers and young children. Activities include a petting zoo, animal feedings, and pony rides. One thing to note is that these experiences are specifically thought out for the toddler to young child age range.
Overall Thoughts on Randall Oaks Zoo:
Writers Note: Please keep in mind that this zoo was specifically designed with activities for families and their toddlers. The following star system below reflects those experiences!
Value:
Experiences:
Transportation & Accessibility:
Atmosphere:
Animals:
Overall Rating:
More Information:
When it comes to admission, Randall Oaks Zoo offers excellent value for money, especially for families. The admission fees are reasonable at $5.50 for non-residents and $5.00 for residents. Plus the proceeds contribute to the zoo’s conservation efforts and the welfare of its residents. Additionally, the zoo frequently hosts special events and educational programs, providing added value to visitors.
Annual memberships are also available, offering unlimited access and exclusive perks for frequent visitors. One thing to note is that the Randall Oaks Zoo is only open from March through December.
Getting to Randall Oaks Zoo:
Via Car: Chicago to Randall Oaks Zoo
From Chicago, this Northwest Suburb Zoo is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
Via Public Transportation: Weekdays only!
Metra MD-W Union Station to Elgin Station to Pace Bus 550
Metra UP-NW Union Station to Crystal Lake Station to Pace Bus 550
The 550 Pace Bus runs only on weekdays. This route does not run on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays! However, on weekdays, the 550 bus does go to Randall Oaks Zoo.
Please note that the area itself is not necessarily pedestrian-friendly. This means you may end up crossing a street without a crosswalk and sidewalks may be non-existent.
Pace bus 550 stops at both the Elgin train station and the Crystal Lake station. If you are starting in Chicago, I would recommend checking Google Maps and the Pace and Metra schedules to see what trip works best for the time you plan on going.
Animals
Fennec Fox: The Feenex Fox was cute with its large ears. It is the smallest fox species.
Emus: Not only did we see ‘adult’ Emmus, we even lucked out and saw baby Emus! The baby Emus were fast and active! They were hanging out with the chickens in the barn who were loud and vocal! If you don’t believe me watch the video with sound on. I’d just recommend making sure your speakers are not all the way up though!
Chickens: The chickens were hanging out in the barn with the baby emus when we went. They were very loud!
Llamas: The Llamas had large warning signs that they are known to spit. This didn’t stop us from saying “Hi!” to them as we walked around the zoo.
The Atmosphere:
Staff at Randall Oaks Zoo
I was really impressed by the staff at Randall Oaks. They were so understanding and patient, providing great customer service to all ages!
The staff was also super informative and ready to answer any questions we had.
Our youngest member was a bit hesitant to try the pony ride. The staff was generous enough to help see if they would like to give it a go. Although the pony ride was not their speed, what could have easily been an unpleasant experience, was one of adventure and learning in a safe environment.
Noise Level
The animals in this zoo like to make their presence known. The goats bleat loudly, and the cows moo. This can make it a bit noisy at times, especially in their barn area!
The zoo also got a bit crowded, adding to the noise level.
Experiences at Randall Oaks Zoo
Petting Zoo
This activity is included in the ticket price of Randal Oaks Zoo. It was an area where you could walk around and pet the goats.
It was staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people who kept this activity running smoothly.
Please note that this activity did require some rule-following.
First off, the habitat had slides and playground equipment for the animals, that guests could not play on.
Secondly, the barn area was also off-limits, so that animals could choose when to interact with people.
Feeding Animals at Randall Oaks Zoo
For $1.50 you can purchase a feed cup. Most areas with animals you could give food to had a pan. This is a fantastic option if you are uncomfortable feeding from your hand, as you can still engage in this activity.
Playgrounds
Keeping with the kid-friendly theme there is also a playground located near Randall Oaks Zoo. It was a hit with the youngest in the crew! They thought the teeter-totter was hilarious!
Know before you go
This zoo did get a little loud at times. If your child or someone in your party is sensitive to noise, I would make sure to bring either earplugs or headphones.
The Randall Oaks Zoo does not have concession stands however, they sell a selection of snacks and beverages at the store.
There are also picnic tables making the zoo a great place to pack a picnic or snack for.
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