A Relaxing Morning Outing Near Dover
Just 15 minutes north of the State Capital — an authentic animal sanctuary.
Live Zoo Status
Connecting to the main gates...
If you live in Dover or central Kent County, you don't need to drive hours to give your kids an unforgettable morning with animals. 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center is located just 15–20 minutes north of downtown Dover in Townsend.
As Delaware’s premier non-profit animal rescue sanctuary, 3 Palms offers an open-air farm environment where your family can hand-feed gentle sheep and llamas, observe rescued birds of prey, and visit Mr. Smee at Delaware’s only live American alligator exhibit.
What to Expect: We are proud to be a rugged, authentic rescue sanctuary. You won't find commercialized, paved walkways here. Instead, you'll experience a true farm environment with free-roaming rescued ducks, dirt paths, and incredible up-close encounters with our gentle rescued llamas, sheep, and goats. Dress for the farm, not the city!
🌟 Summer Pro-Tip: Because we are a true farm sanctuary, we have very limited shade. Plan your visit for early in the morning! You'll beat the intense midday heat, and catch the animals when they are most active.
At just a few dollars per person (infants under 12 months are free), we aren't an exhausting, expensive theme park. Relax for an hour or two without breaking the bank.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?
🦙 Why Dover Families Love 3 Palms
- 15-Minute Easy Drive: Conveniently located just north of Smyrna and Dover off US‑13.
- Low Stress, Toddler Friendly: Compact enough that little legs won't get exhausted, with plenty of open space to explore.
- Delaware's Exclusive Alligator Habitat: Meet Mr. Smee and learn about American alligator conservation and rescue.
- Budget-Friendly Admission: High-quality family time without the steep prices of commercial amusement parks.
📍 Central Delaware Morning Plan
- Drive north on US‑13 from Dover through Smyrna to Townsend for a morning at 3 Palms Zoo.
- Visit the animals, feed the goats, and check out the alligator pond.
- Stop by the historic Smyrna downtown area for lunch or pick up farm-fresh produce on your way back toward Dover Green.
Start your morning adventure now.
Put us directly into your GPS below to start navigating.
⚠️ Critical GPS Warning
GPS units fail here constantly. They often tell you to turn onto (or stay on) "Blackbird Forest Rd." This is wrong. You must turn onto Vandyke Greenspring Rd to find our entrance.