Have kids who love animals? If you're looking for animals near you in Portland, we have the list! From zoo animals to farm animals, and from the furry to the scaly, we have all the animals you'll need to please your little animal lover within an hours drive of Portland. All prices and Hours are updated as of 2022, double check with the venue for the most updated information.
Don't miss out on family fun in the Portland area! Sign up to get the top Portland area events and resources delivered to you weekly at https://portland.macaronikid.com/subscribe. It's always FREE!
Farms
Smiling Hill Farm http://www.smilinghill.com/
781 Country Rd Westbrook, ME 04092
Smiling Hill Farm has almost 200 animals including: chickens, ducks, geese, horses, llamas, donkeys, goats, sheep, emus, horses and cows. They have two petting areas where sheep and goats roam free. They also have several wooden toy structures and slides where children are free to play and use their imagination.
Hours of Operation: The Barnyard is OPEN 10-5 daily, from April 30, 2022 through October 30, 2022, rain or shine.
The Ice Cream Barn is open for you to purchase lunch, and of course ice cream, from 11-3.
Admission: $8.00 per person; infants under 1 are free.
Pineland Farms https://pinelandfarms.org/
15 Farm View Drive New Gloucester, ME 04260
The farmyard is open daily year round with laying hens, goats, sheep, potbellied pigs and peafowl as year round residents, and an engaging outdoor play area. Beginning in mid-May and continuing through September, they welcome a wider variety of animals from local farms to their pastures including alpaca, pigs and more.
Pineland also offers educator led activities in the farmyard, some of which could include hand milking a Holstein cow, collecting chicken eggs or meeting the sheep. Learn about different farming methods, animal jobs and products, or ask us your farm animal questions! Check out their schedule of events here: https://shop.pinelandfarms.org/collections/all-classes-events/family-program
Check out the Market after for lunch, or explore the trails on their vast campus!
Hours of operation: The Barnyard is open 7 days a week from 9-4.
Admission: 2 hour farm pass $6/person. Reserve your spot online here. https://shop.pinelandfarms.org/collections/all-classes-events/2-hour-farm-pass
Wolfes Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment https://www.wolfesneck.org/
184 Burnett Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
Wolfes Neck is a sustainable Farm in Freeport that offers all kinds of educational opportunities for Children. Some of the events coming up include Farmyard Storytime, Salamander Meander, and Farmer for the morning. Check out their calendar here https://www.wolfesneck.org/calendar/ There are also nature trails to explore, bicycle rentals, Canoe and kayak rentals, and even oceanside camping!
Hours of Operation: Open daily from dawn till dusk.
Admission: Free to the public to visit the farm and trails. Cost of programs vary.
Ten Apple Farm https://tenapplefarm.com/wordpress/goathikes/
241 Yarmouth Road in Gray, Maine, 04039
Hike with goats! You heard me right, Ten Apple Farm offers a 2 hour educational and recreational goat experience. The hike consists of an approximately one and a half mile loop through the woods on lightly groomed trails. There is some steep terrain. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by an adult. (Children 4 and under must be carried). Along the way you'll talk about the wide variety of things goats are used for, including dairy, fiber, land management, as pack animals, and you’ll learn a thing or two about raising and caring for goats. After the hike, you’ll be able to sample some fresh goat milk and cookies!
Hours of Operation: Dates and times for goat hikes and other events vary. Check out their website to find out when the next goat hike is! https://tenapplefarm.com/wordpress/goathikes/
Admission: $15 per adult, $10 for teens & seniors, $5 for kids (ages 5-12).
Sunflower Farm http://www.sunflowerfarm.info/
12 HARMON WAY CUMBERLAND, MAINE 04021
Sunflower Farm, home to the most adorable Nigerian Dwarf Goats, is open from May 28, 2022 until November 5, 2022. Sunflower Farms self serve cheese shop will be open on Saturdays from 11-3. Check out what's available at the shop, and then visit the goats in the pasture. Sunflower Farm is also offering several programs/events including an opportunity to "Help Put the Babies to Bed," Goat Yoga, and even a Hoppy Hour for the adults. You can find more information and buy tickets to these events here. http://www.sunflowerfarm.info/visit
Hours of Operation: Saturdays 11-3 starting on May 28 until November 5th. Visit their website for dates and times of special events. http://www.sunflowerfarm.info/visit
Admission: Free to visit the goats during store hours on Saturdays, but donations are accepted. Checking out their website for cost of special events.
Animal Sanctuaries
Maine Wildlife Park https://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife-park/index.html
56 Game Farm Rd Gray, ME 04039
The Maine Wildlife Park is home to over 30 species of Maine wildlife that cannot be returned to their natural habitat for various reasons. The park features Moose, Bear, Mountain Lions, and many more Maine species.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9:30-4:30. May 30, 2022-November 11, 2022
Admission: Children 2 and under are free, $7.50 for ages 3-12, $10 for ages 13-59, $7.50 for 60+, $5 for veterans and military personnel. Entrance fees can only be accepted in the form of cash or check.
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too! https://mrdrewandhisanimalstoo.com/
550 Lisbon Street Suite 17 Lewiston, Maine 04240
Mr. Drew and His Animals too Education Center, located on the first floor, offers exploration of rescued, rehabilitated and relinquished exotic animals. You can expect to see various species of snakes, lizards, turtles, Vietnamese Walking Sticks, and more! For those that have phobias of snakes and spiders, they even offer a first floor community room free of these creatures, so that everyone can feel welcome! The Geological Center, located on the upper level, features the PrisSonny Mine, Rock and Gem room, Lapidary machine, microscopes, fossils, furs, bones, a library of Natural Science and “hands on” exploration of much more. Families are encouraged to come and enjoy the Center for as long as they choose, within hours of operation. They share free popcorn, refreshing citrus water, and have ample other beverages that are available for a donation.
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Saturday 10am -3pm
Admission: $8.00/pp (children under 1 year of age, are free)
Center for Wildlife https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/
375 Mountain Road, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
I have a soft spot for the Center for Wildlife ever since I brought in an injured rat (I know they aren't for everyone, but I think they are pretty cute!) that I had found limping along the sidewalk near the Saco River. They are open from 9-5 daily accepting injured wildlife admissions.
The Nature Center and Outdoor Ambassador Enclosures are open for self-guided visits on on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Public visits are the perfect opportunity to explore the Nature Center and visit with our ambassador animals at their outdoor enclosures. Please keep in mind, to visit our outdoor ambassador enclosures, a short walk through the woods over uneven terrain is necessary.
The Center for Wildlife is a place for people of all ages to learn and explore the concepts of empathy, biology, ecology, and the human/wildlife connection through interpretation, direct experiences with nature, and experiential exhibits. Each session begins in their Nature Center and is followed by a meet and greet with a few of their wildlife ambassadors. The Center for Wildlife also regularly offers special events like their Wee Naturalist program or Nature Journaling. Learn more about their events here. https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/events
Hours of Operation: Open Daily from 9-5 for wildlife drop off.
Nature Center is open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Drop-ins are now welcome while tickets are available. Reservations are recommended. Reserve your spot here. https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/nature-center
Admission: $10/person.
Animal Shelters
Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland https://arlgp.org/
217 Landing Road Westbrook, Maine 04092
Not only are shelters a great place to adopt a pet. They are also a great place for kids to have hands on learning opportunities. The Animal Refuge League offers Birthday Parties, summer camp, and a weekly Junior Volunteer Program. Visit their website to find out more about these wonderful programs or to check out what animals they have available for adoption. https://arlgp.org/
Animal Welfare Society https://animalwelfaresociety.org/
46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043
The Animal Welfare Society is also a great place to adopt a pet, and offers several programs for Children including summer camp and their Rescue Readers Program. The Rescue Readers program brings together elementary/middle school students and AWS resident pets for a half hour of literary-based confidence building. Reading aloud forms a special bond between student and pet. It provides enrichment and positive socialization for the animal, it boosts confidence in children, and it gives students a safe space to build a positive association with reading. Students have access to special reading materials and receive reading comprehension guidance from our Humane Educator, as needed. Students are also welcome to bring their own reading materials. Rescue Readers is free to attend. Donations to support the program - and all Humane Education programming - are welcomed and appreciated.
To Learn more and reserve your spot visit their site. https://animalwelfaresociety.org/events/category/youth/literacy/rescue-readers/
Zoos
York's Wild Animal Kingdom (Opening for the season on May 28th 2022)
1 Animal Park Road, York, ME 03909
A family oriented zoo and amusement park conveniently located in York Beach, Maine. With a large number of beautifully landscaped animal exhibits; numerous rides for all ages plus food and ice cream stands, gift shops and so much more, families always enjoy a full day of fun here. Some of the animals you can expect to see include Lions, Monkeys, Kangaroos, and many more!
Hours of Operation: Open Daily 10-5. May 28, 2022-September 25, 2022
Admission to Zoo Only: Adults 11+ $15.75, Children 10 and under $10, Children 2 and under $1
 John Natoli via Canva |
