Yep, You Found the "Lewes Zoo Guys!"
Catching fresh ocean fish for Pete the Pelican and Mr. Smee in Townsend, DE.
- Petting zoo included — hand-feed the rescued Farm Friends
- Delaware’s only live alligator exhibit
- A rescue zoo — every animal here has a story
Petting zoo food $1 a scoop · bamboo stems $1
CURRENTLY CLOSED OPENS THURSDAY AT 9:00 AM
If you are reading this, there is a good chance we just met you while we were out fishing along the Lewes Canal or at Cape Henlopen State Park. It was great talking to you on the docks!
While folks around Lewes know us as the "Lewes zoo guys" or "the guys catching fish for the alligators," our sanctuary is 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center, located just up Route 1 in Townsend, Delaware.
So, why are zoo staff members out casting lines in Lewes? Meet Pete the Brown Pelican, Mr. Smee the alligator, and our rescued native aquatic turtles. Providing a fresh, species-appropriate diet for rescued aquatic animals is a huge priority for us. To make sure our fish-eating residents get the freshest diet possible (and to keep our operating costs low), our team drives down to the Lewes coast several times a week to catch dinner straight from Delaware waters.
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!
Good to Know
Admission: $6 per person · infants under 12 months free
Petting zoo food: $1 a scoop
Bamboo stems: $1 each
Hours: Fall Hours | Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM — the live board at the top of this page always has today.
Find us: 1060 Vandyke Greenspring Rd, Townsend, DE 19734 · (302) 715-1326
📍 Come See Who You Helped Feed!
Since you will likely be heading north on Route 1 when your beach trip wraps up, make 3 Palms Zoo your official pit stop! We are located just minutes off Route 1 / US‑13 in Townsend.
🎣 Fisherman's Special Bonus:
Tell the front gate staff "I met you fishing in Lewes" and we will hand you a FREE cup of feed for the llamas and goats!
Visiting from Lewes? Good questions
How much is admission?
$6.00 per person, and infants under 12 months are free. The petting zoo is included with every visit — the only extras are the treats: petting zoo food is $1 a scoop and bamboo stems are $1 each, and every one helps feed the animals.
When are you open?
Fall Hours | Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Check the live status board at the top of this page before you head out — it always has the hours for today.
Where are you located?
1060 Vandyke Greenspring Rd in Townsend, Delaware. Read the GPS warning in the visit panel next to this — your GPS will try to send you down Blackbird Forest Rd, and that is wrong. The entrance is on Vandyke Greenspring Rd.
How long should we plan for a visit?
Most families relax for an hour or two. We aren't an exhausting, expensive theme park — take your time and meet everyone.
Can we feed the animals?
Yes — hand-feeding the rescued Farm Friends is the heart of the visit. Goats, sheep, llamas, mini pigs, and cows, all friendly and all very used to being loved on.
Break up your drive home and meet Pete.
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.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?