Southwick’s Zoo, in Mendon, Massachusetts, is more than a zoo. Southwick’s is a full-on family adventure destination!
You won’t find a bigger zoological experience in all New England. Southwick’s Zoo is the largest zoo in the region, with over 200 acres of animals and attractions. Southwick’s is also well-known for their year-long calendar of family friendly events, including their famous Festival of illumination.
Looking for a delicious meal? Southwick’s features Galliford’s restaurant and Tavern. Galliford’s offers a varied menu featuring classic comfort food as well as burgers, salads, seafood, pizza, and more. And it’s open year round!
Southwick’s Zoo
2 Southwick Street, Mendon, Massachusetts
(508) 883-9182
About Southwick’s
*Courtesy of southwickszoo.com/our-story/
Located in the heart of the Blackstone River Valley, just minutes away from Routes 495 and 146, Southwick’s Zoo offers a full day of family fun!
Spanning over 200 acres, Southwick’s Zoo is New England’s largest zoological experience. Southwick’s is home to over 850 animals in naturalistic habitats including lions, tigers, giraffes, chimpanzees, white rhinos, two-toed sloths, and more. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of attractions including the Skyfari Sky Ride, Woodland Express Train, Soaring Eagle Zip Line, 35-acre Deer Forest, petting zoo, walk-through aviary, presentations and keeper talks, the Rainforest Adventure Maze, the EARTH Discovery Center, and so much more! It’s more than just a zoo, it’s an adventure!
A Bit of History
While the Homestead at Southwick’s dates back to 1803, the 200-acre Zoo actually began as a dairy and vegetable farm in the early to mid 1900s. Justin Southwick, founder of the wildlife park, had a passionate interest in exotic birds and fancy poultry.
His unique collection of rare birds brought visitors from all over the Blackstone Valley and beyond. His knowledge and dedication led him to be acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on migratory waterfowl.
Although Justin was urged to place a donation box at the entrance in 1956, the Zoo’s official opening was in 1963, and incorporated in 1965. Southwick’s has since grown and expanded to become home to over 850 exotic animals from around the world, including many endangered species.
Privately owned by the Brewer (Southwick) family, the Zoo does not receive federal, state, or local funding of any kind; it depends solely on the admission proceeds from Zoo visitors and patrons.
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Who ran the dairy and vegetable farm in the early to mid 1900s. What was the name of the family that owned that property before Justin Southwick took ownership?