Goats
Mr. Gold, our famous fainting goat, and Phil are first to the fence every morning. If you have a scoop of food, you have their full attention.
A Peaceful Morning Adventure Just 15 Minutes North of Smyrna
Hand-feed gentle rescues and meet Delaware's only live alligators 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
$6per person · infants under 12 months are free
Petting zoo food $1 a scoop · bamboo stems $1
Petting zoo food $1 a scoop · bamboo stems $1
SORRY, WE'RE
CURRENTLY CLOSED REOPENING AT 7:00 PM FOR BOO! AT THE ZOO!
CURRENTLY CLOSED REOPENING AT 7:00 PM FOR BOO! AT THE ZOO!
Today:
9 am - 3 pm
Boo! at the Zoo!7 pm - 9 pm
Tickets:
$6.00 Admission
☀️
74°F (Tomorrow: High 59° / Low 42°)
⛅
While we're open tomorrow: Temps will climb from 47°F to a high of 59°F. Expect overcast skies with winds up to 10 mph and a 0% chance of precipitation.
"Wendy and Mr. Smee, our resident alligator pair, love lounging around in prehistoric style. These legendary local icons definitely know how to make a snappy impression! Come meet the duo in person!"
✨ We are hosting our Boo! at the Zoo! event today!
Looking to get the kids out of the house today without driving all the way to Philly or Baltimore? Skip the long road trip and head just a few minutes north up US‑13 to 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center in Townsend, Delaware's dedicated animal rescue sanctuary!
Enjoy a calm, open-air farm morning where your family can hand-feed gentle sheep and llamas, greet playful foxes and owls, 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!
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
📍 Make a Day of It: Smyrna & Clayton Itineraries
3 Palms Zoo is the perfect centerpiece for a local day trip. Pair your morning zoo visit with these nearby favorites:
- 🌿 The Coastal Nature Route: After feeding the rescues, head east to Bombay Hook National Refuge for a scenic coastal drive, or take the kids to skip stones at Woodland Beach.
- 🌲 The Shaded Picnic Route: Pack a lunch! Visit the zoo right at opening, then drive 5 minutes down the road to Blackbird State Forest for a quiet family picnic under the trees.
- 🥪 The Local Foodie Route: Grab a famous breakfast sandwich at Helen's Sausage House on your way up, or hit Trevi, Bella Villa, or Brick Works Brewing in downtown Smyrna for lunch after your zoo visit.
🌿 More Good Stops Nearby: Smyrna Opera House — a restored 1870 opera house downtown with concerts and family shows. Painted Stave Distilling — a craft distillery in Smyrna's old movie theatre; a grown-ups' stop for the parents.
At just $6.00 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.
Meet the Farm Friends
Sheep
Rocky and the flock are professional leaners. Find the right scratching spot and they will stay all day.
Llamas
Tall, calm, and extremely photogenic. They supervise the petting zoo with great dignity and zero urgency.
Mini pigs
Toby and the crew. Belly scratches are accepted and encouraged.
Cows
Our rescued Angus herd watches over the pasture — including Baby Jacob, the calf born right here at the zoo in August 2026.
The welcoming committee
Chickens, ducks, a turkey, and Gus have the run of the place. Where you go, they go — especially if you are holding a scoop.
Visiting from Smyrna? 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.
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.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?