Trade the Suburbs for an Authentic Morning Farm Adventure
A relaxing half-day trip south of the canal — meet friendly rescues and Delaware's only alligators.
Live Zoo Status
Connecting to the main gates...
Looking for a relaxing, uncrowded outdoor morning for the family this weekend? Take a scenic drive south of the C&D Canal and step into the quiet, rural charm of Townsend.
At 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center, you'll discover a genuine, open-air farm sanctuary where kids and adults can connect with rescued animals up close—including friendly llamas, native birds of prey, and 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.
📍 The Perfect Northern DE Day Trip
Enjoy a beautiful half-day adventure south of the canal by pairing your zoo visit with these local favorites:
- 🍽️ The Historic Lunch Route: Head 10 minutes north to Historic Odessa after your visit and grab an amazing, upscale-casual family lunch at Cantwell's Tavern.
- 🛶 The State Park Route: Prefer to stay outdoors? Pack a picnic and head to Lums Pond State Park on your drive back north. Rent a kayak, hit the massive playground, or conquer the Go Ape ropes course!
- 🍦 The Ice Cream Finale: Cap off your farm morning by stopping at Woodside Farm Creamery once you get back up to Hockessin for legendary, farm-fresh ice cream.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?
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.