Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington

Nestled within Wilmington’s scenic Brandywine Park, the Brandywine Zoo has charmed generations since its founding in 1905. Spanning 4.7 acres along the Brandywine River, this compact but vibrant zoo is Delaware’s only AZA-accredited facility, offering visitors a thoughtfully curated selection of animals from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Though modest in size, its mission is bold-education, conservation, and community engagement, supported by a network of dedicated volunteers and docents who enrich every visit.

The zoo’s origins trace back to a bold idea from Dr. James H. Morgan, who proposed bringing animals to Wilmington if the city would build its shelters. Its early collection included ducks, hares, and even a sea turtle. Through the decades, the zoo evolved alongside the city, welcoming buffalo, monkeys, bears, and a children’s zoo complete with whimsical Mother Goose cottages-fondly remembered by visitors from the 1950s through the ’70s. Many of the historic enclosures, including the 1928 bear cages, still stand today as reminders of the zoo’s rich past.

Major revitalization efforts took root in the late 20th century, spearheaded by passionate leadership and community support. The old-themed structures gave way to more naturalistic exhibits, with a focus on animals native to temperate and tropical climates. Red pandas and bald eagles joined the resident collection, alongside capybaras and river otters-favorites among families. The zoo's intimate scale makes for an immersive, relaxed experience, perfect for young visitors and those seeking a peaceful urban retreat.

Beyond the animal exhibits, the Brandywine Zoo serves as a gateway to deeper ecological awareness. Celebrating its centennial in 2005, it reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of environmental education in Delaware. With its prime location in a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and a legacy tied to both Revolutionary War history and the early textile industry, the zoo offers more than wildlife-it’s a living layer of Wilmington’s cultural and natural heritage.