More than 500 parakeets share a single aviary at one Virginia farm. Hold up a seed stick, and they come to you.
I still can’t get over that number.
Then there’s a drive-thru safari where camels and zebras stroll up to your car window for snacks. Another spot is a rescue zoo where kids can pet a porcupine.
Yes, a porcupine.
Thanksgiving weekend is made for outings like these. Everyone is full, a little restless, and ready for fresh air.
Turkey naps are nice, but a goat nibbling your sleeve is better. A barnyard of hungry goats fixes that restless feeling fast, and the leftovers can wait a few hours.
I gathered petting zoos across the state where families can pet, feed, and laugh together over the long weekend. Several keep their gates open on Black Friday.
So which animal will steal the show at your house?
1. Leesburg Animal Park
Zebras and lemurs in Loudoun County? Yep, and they share the property with camels, llamas, and goats.
Leesburg Animal Park mixes exotic animals with classic barnyard favorites on about 21 acres. The petting zoo is the main event, and the camels and llamas there tend to be the stars.
Kids can pet and feed the animals, then head off for pony rides. Camel rides are also part of the fun, which makes for a pretty great holiday photo.
The park has an indoor area too, which is handy if late November turns chilly. Inside, you’ll find animal exhibits, a play zone, and a theater for live animal shows.
Short animal talks give curious kids a chance to learn something between snacks. Keep an eye out for gibbons, macaws, serval cats, and even a sloth.
Outside, the play area includes slides and room to run off extra pie energy. Wagon rides add another way to see the grounds without tiring out little legs.
Timing matters on this trip, since the park closes on Tuesdays. Thanksgiving weekend works nicely, with Friday hours running 10 AM to 4 PM and weekend hours stretching to 5 PM.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day, so Friday or Sunday morning may feel calmer. A gift shop and cafe on site help round out the afternoon.
Parking is free, which leaves more room in the budget for animal feed. The goats will thank you.
Address: 19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA 20175
2. Fort Chiswell Animal Park
Few buses come with giraffes leaning in the windows. The guided safari bus tour in Max Meadows is the happy exception.
Fort Chiswell Animal Park brings animals from around the globe to Southwest Virginia. The whole setup here is built around getting close.
Guides drive you through the park while animals walk right up to the bus. Giraffes, ostriches, camels, zebras, and water buffalo may all show up looking for a snack.
Bags of feed are available to buy, and they’re big enough to last a while. Hold out a handful and watch long necks and curious beaks appear.
After the ride, the walk-through petting zoo offers a slower, ground-level experience. Kids can pet and feed animals while guides share facts about each one.
The park also sells Zoo Chow and roasted peanuts for feeding. Bring wipes, because feeding a camel is a hands-on job in the most literal way.
Timing is the big tip here, since the park opens only Friday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. The season also wraps at the end of November.
That makes Thanksgiving weekend one of your last chances of the year. The last safari bus leaves an hour before closing, so don’t linger too long over leftovers.
A playground, picnic tables, and a gift shop round things out. Pack a lunch and turn the visit into a full afternoon.
Address: 569 Red Hollow Rd, Max Meadows, VA 24360
3. Maymont Farm
A rooster’s crow in the middle of Richmond? At Maymont Farm, that’s just the normal soundtrack.
The farm sits inside Maymont, a 100-acre estate with gardens, an arboretum, and a Gilded Age mansion. You get city convenience with a surprising amount of barnyard charm.
Goats, sheep, chickens, a donkey, cows, pigs, and horses live here. Kids can feel a sheep’s wool and get nudged by a hungry goat looking for treats.
Feed machines on site sell grass pellets for the goats. Toddlers especially love this part, and the goats seem to love it even more.
Hands get messy fast with all that petting and feeding. Pack wipes or plan a restroom stop before snack time.
Once the goats are full, the rest of the estate is waiting. You can explore a nature center and the Virginia Wildlife Trail without leaving the grounds.
Late November is a lovely time to stroll the gardens and arboretum. The paths give everyone a chance to walk off that second slice of pie.
Admission isn’t required to visit the grounds, though a donation is suggested. That makes Maymont an easy pick if your holiday budget already went to groceries.
The grounds are open daily, so any day of the long weekend can work. Check barn hours before you go, since the barn keeps a shorter schedule.
Address: 1001 Spottswood Rd, Richmond, VA 23220
4. Virginia Safari Park
More than 1,000 animals roam this 180-acre drive-thru park, and plenty of them want whatever is in your feed cup.
Virginia Safari Park lets you drive your own car along the route. Zebras, elk, bison, camels, and ostriches stroll right up to say hello.
Emus and deer may join the line too. Roll the window down, hold the cup steady, and get ready for some very enthusiastic tongues.
After the drive, park and head into the Safari Village walk-thru area. There, you can hand-feed giraffes at the feeding station, which feels a little unreal.
The petting area lets kids feed goats, potbelly piglets, and baby llamas. There’s also a Kangaroo Walk-About, plus tigers and cheetahs to admire from a safe distance.
Animal encounters with sloths, rhinos, penguins, and lemurs are offered too. Tractor-driven wagons are available for an extra fee if you’d rather leave the car parked.
Feeding works best for kids old enough to hold a cup steady. Younger ones will still giggle when a zebra peeks in the window.
The park closes on Thanksgiving Day, then reopens Friday through Sunday at 9 AM. Buying tickets ahead is a smart move for a holiday weekend.
Saturday afternoon tends to be the busiest stretch. A gift shop and picnic shelter give you a spot to regroup before the drive home.
Address: 229 Safari Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
5. Petting Zoo
Sandwiches, ice cream, and an emu you can pet. That combo is hard to beat in Madison.
The petting zoo sits at Yoder’s Country Market, an Amish country store along US-29. Shopping and animal time happen in one easy stop.
Out back, kids can feed goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas, and birds. Baby goats and baby pigs add extra cuteness when they’re around.
Feed dispensers make snack time simple, and larger bags are available too. The emu is a fun surprise, since most families don’t expect to pet one.
A small playground sits nearby for kids who need to climb. It gives grown-ups a minute to sit while the little ones burn off energy.
The petting zoo itself is free to visit, which is a nice holiday-weekend bonus. You can spend your money on treats from the market instead.
Speaking of treats, the cafe serves sandwiches and ice cream. A cone after feeding goats feels like the right order of events.
The country store also has a gift shop, so holiday shopping can start right here. Black Friday doesn’t have to mean crowded malls.
Regular hours start early, at 7:30 AM, and the market is closed Sundays. Friday runs until 6 PM and Saturday until 5 PM.
Madison sits near the Blue Ridge foothills, so the drive can be scenic too. Pair the visit with a slow ride through the Virginia countryside.
Address: Madison, VA 22727
6. Hunt Club Farm
Over 500 parakeets chatter inside one aviary in Virginia Beach. Hold up a bird stick and you might suddenly have several new friends.
That BirdWalk Aviary is just one part of Hunt Club Farm’s 32-acre property. The petting farm is packed with goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, cows, and pigs.
Miniature Highland cows bring the fluff factor. You can even book a Miniature Highland Cow Cuddle Experience by reservation, which sounds like the best kind of holiday plan.
Kids can pick up friendly chickens and walk in with the goats. Tortoises and a zebra add a bit of surprise to the barnyard lineup.
Pony rides are available for children up to age 12 or 120 pounds. For bigger adventures, the TreeWalk Adventure has netted bridges, treehouses, and slides.
The farm closes on Thanksgiving Day itself. From Friday through Sunday, it opens 10 AM to 5 PM, weather permitting.
Black Friday also brings the start of the Holiday Market. That makes the trip a two-for-one, with animals and seasonal shopping in the same place.
Weekend afternoons tend to draw the biggest crowds. Arriving close to opening time can give you more elbow room near the goats.
A farm market on site rounds things out. Grab a little something there before you head back toward the beach.
Address: 2388 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
7. Bergey’s Barnyard
Holding a bunny is fun, but holding a pig is a whole new level. In Chesapeake, Bergey’s Barnyard lets kids try both.
Hands-on time is the whole point here. Visitors can hold, pet, and feed most of the animals, which isn’t something every farm encourages.
Bunnies and pigs are often ready for a cuddle. Goats and alpacas happily take snacks, and you can even brush the horses.
The pigs are especially social, so one might act like your new best friend. Pigs rank among the smartest farm animals, so this is a fun chance to meet one up close.
Little ones get a great hands-on lesson about farm life. Grown-ups can enjoy the slower pace after a busy holiday week.
Chesapeake has plenty of farmland, and this barnyard fits right in. It offers a calm break from Black Friday traffic.
Plan carefully, because the barnyard is closed on Sundays. Regular hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM.
That schedule covers Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Check ahead before heading out, since holiday hours can shift.
Bring clothes that can handle a little dirt and hair. Holding farm animals is sweet, but it’s not exactly a white-sweater activity.
Want a souvenir for Grandma? A selfie with a cuddly piglet beats any store-bought card.
Address: 2207 Mt Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
8. Bluebird Gap Farm
Free admission and nearly 150 animals? Hampton makes that math look easy.
Bluebird Gap Farm is a 60-acre city farm that mixes barnyard animals with some wilder residents. Horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and rabbits share the space with alpacas, tortoises, and peacocks.
Birds of prey and whitetail deer also live here. Kids can bounce between exhibits and find a new animal around almost every corner.
Want to feed someone? A machine in the barn sells animal feed, but it takes credit cards only.
When the kids need a break from animals, the large playground is ready. There’s also a Nature Play Area and a Human Sundial, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.
The Azalea Trail winds through the woods for a short nature walk. A large duck pond adds even more animal watching.
Picnic areas come with charcoal grills, so you could turn leftovers into a cookout. Turkey sandwiches taste better outdoors anyway.
Restrooms on site make longer visits easier with little kids. Plan on staying a few hours, because there’s a lot to explore.
Peacocks are showy birds, so keep a camera handy. That holiday card photo might strut right past you.
The farm closes on Thanksgiving Day. It reopens Friday through Sunday, with late fall hours running from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Address: 60 Pine Chapel Rd, Hampton, VA 23669
9. Luray Zoo-A Rescue Zoo
Petting a porcupine sounds risky, but at Luray Zoo-A Rescue Zoo, it’s part of the fun.
Rescued animals are the focus of this small zoo in the Shenandoah Valley. Visiting supports a mission built around giving animals a safe place to live.
The petting zoo is a highlight for kids. You can buy food and feed the animals, and a lemur may be among the hungry crowd.
Monkeys get peanuts tossed their way, which kids find hilarious. A tiger and a wallaby add more variety to the outdoor exhibits.
The reptile room is a must for anyone curious about scaly creatures. Many kinds of snakes are on display, so you can compare them up close.
The tour is self-guided, so you set the pace. Staff are around to answer questions and share what they know about the animals.
Admission is affordable, which helps when you’re traveling with a big group. Save a bit extra for more animal food.
Luray makes a fun base for a holiday weekend getaway. The town sits in the valley with mountain views all around.
Hours run 11 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The zoo closes Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan around that.
A gift shop offers souvenirs before you go. Pick up a stuffed animal to remember the porcupine that stole the show.
Address: 1087 US-211, Luray, VA 22835
10. Frying Pan Farm Park
Farm life from the 1920s through the 1950s comes back around in Herndon.
Frying Pan Farm Park is run by Fairfax County as a working educational farm. Kidwell Farm, the animal area, is home to cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and draft horses.
Kids can get close to the animals and see how a real farm runs. A cow milking demonstration happens daily at 4 PM, and it’s worth timing your visit around it.
Draft horses are huge workers built for pulling heavy loads. Seeing one up close helps kids understand how farms ran before tractors took over.
The farm is free to explore, with donations welcome. That’s a big win after a pricey holiday grocery run.
Wagon rides and the carousel run seasonally from March through November. Thanksgiving weekend falls at the tail end, so check ahead if those rides are on your list.
A playground with slides gives kids another place to play. Picnic tables and walking trails make it easy to stay a while.
History fans can visit a meeting house that dates to 1791. A country store adds a fun stop before heading home.
Public restrooms are on site, which every parent appreciates. Bring a jacket, since late November afternoons can be crisp.
Kidwell Farm closes on Thanksgiving Day but opens Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Saturdays tend to be busiest, so Friday may give you more space.
Address: 2709 West Ox Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
11. NOVA Wild
Giraffes in Vienna? Not the one in Austria, but the one in Northern Virginia.
NOVA Wild is a non-profit zoological park with both a drive-through safari and walk-through exhibits. You get two very different ways to meet animals in one visit.
On the safari, you can feed animals like Watusi cattle and Asian water buffalo from your car. Those big horns look impressive through a windshield.
The walking area features more than 40 species. Capybaras, cheetahs, lemurs, wallabies, and colorful birds are part of the lineup.
Kids can feed giraffes, rabbits, goats, sheep, and parakeets. That variety keeps snack time exciting from start to finish.
A 15-minute bus ride is another option for exploring. Wagon and pony rides add even more ways to keep little ones busy.
For a bigger thrill, special encounters with zookeepers let you meet certain animals up close. Those make a fun gift for an animal-loving kid.
A food truck serves refreshments, and a gift shop sells souvenirs. You can easily make a half-day out of the trip.
The park is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Buying tickets ahead is smart, especially on busy weekend afternoons.
Bring hand wipes in the car. Watusi slobber is a real thing.
Being so close to the D.C. suburbs makes it an easy pick for visiting relatives. It wraps up a weekend of Virginia animal adventures nicely, with one last giraffe goodbye.
Address: 1228 Hunter Mill Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
