Millbrook is an unlikely place to find lemurs leaping from tree to tree, but down a long, winding road you will find Trevor zoo. It’s a learning zoo, housed in a private high school, and is the only one of its kind in the whole United States. It teaches the public as well as the students at the high school all about conserving the habitats of endangered species. It houses exotic and indigenous animals, some of which are critically endangered. They also have an on campus veterinary clinic as well as over 6 acres of land to explore.
Walking along the well maintained facilities you will find paved pathways, easily accessible to strollers and walkers of all abilities. The habitats are lush with plants, allowing the animals to be seen in native surroundings. The Asia pathways are lined with tall bamboo and it feels as if you have stepped into another country.
When you first arrive at the zoo, there is a parking area with ample parking. You will follow a clearly marked path, crossing a “billy goat” bridge as my daughter affectionately refers to it. The path meanders along a brook and leads to a large waterfall where river otters jump in and out of the water.
READ MORE: See the Best Zoos in the Hudson Valley
Entering the gates to the zoo, you will see a large dry erase board that gives the zoo’s daily feeding times. Your children can see them feed the animals and the student volunteers will answer any questions they might have. On the day we went they were feeding the archer fish. These fish shoot water out of their mouths to catch their land-based prey, we got a little wet and my daughter thought it was amazing!
Bring lunch and picnic blanket, there are plenty of places to sit and eat. Benches are all along the walkways and there is plenty of shade on hot days. There is a nominal fee for entrance that is completely not-for-profit, they use all money collected to maintain and upkeep the zoo.
Admission: Adults $6; Kids $4; Senior Citizens 65+ $4; Kids under 3 Free
Scheduled Group Rates
Self-guided $3/per person
Guided $10/person plus $50 for staff engagement
Tips for visiting the zoo:
- The Trevor Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm every day BY RESERVATION ONLY
- You must make a reservation online to visit the zoo
- Your reservations can include up to 8 people
- They have 7 reservation slots available each half-hour
- You can arrive +/- 30 minutes of your reservation time and can stay in the zoo for as long as you wish
- Payment will not be collect until you arrive at the zoo. Bring cash
- The zoo is pretty stroller friendly, and very small so it can easily be walked
There is lots nearby so we make it a day trip. Check out the town of Millbrook which includes a great playground, hip little downtown area and lots of hiking nearby.
Family fun near the zoo:
Great hiking at The Cary Institute
Gorgeous gardens and hiking trails: Innisfree Gardens
Lots of places to eat, our favorite is the Millbrook Diner, in an old railroad car!
At the end of Main Street in Millbrook playground complete with pirate ships!
After you tire of the playground, within walking distance is Merritt Bookstore that has lots of kids books and a train table.
For more information on the zoo: Trevor Zoo
Photo above courtesy of Ariana Pavon
Other articles by Katie's Hudson Valley Travel Journal