This was my first time at Fort Rickey, and it was a perfect day! All of the animals were active, and it was so cool to see them up close. Our capybara-loving kid was over-the-moon to get to feed the capybaras, and I think a piece of me was healed after snuggling with baby goats. The admission prices were very reasonable, especially with so much to do. We could not have had a better experience, from the friendly bird who played with us when we checked in, to all of the animal presentations and encounters. You can tell the animals are well-taken care of and happy, and the employees are, too. We were really impressed with how knowledgeable the employees were, and how great they are with the kids and families. They explained all of the safety rules clearly, and they had great enthusiasm and patience. To top it off, our kids loved getting to play on the playground, in the play place, and on the massive trampoline. Pro tip: bring a little extra cash and quarters to get some extra food for some of the animals. Core memories were created for sure, and we hope to come back on our next visit. read more

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The Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo is fucking AWESOME. We needed a place for a stopover with the kids to break up a long drive. We looked into activities in Utica and area, and someone suggested this place. We had no idea what to expect and pulling into the parking lot, were prepared to be underwhelmed. We were so wrong. Think your typical, big city zoo, and take away all the stuff you don't like, and add in more of the stuff that you do like. For example, make the size of the zoo manageable for kids to walk around. Instead of having 11,000 species of animals that most people don't care that much about, have a smaller place where you really get to be up close. Then add in more interaction - literally every 30 minutes there is something on the schedule for kids to go play with goats, or touch a porcupine. And then throw in a kids play area, and clean bathrooms! Skip the Utica Zoo and come here. 10/10 would recommend for families looking for a fun way to spend 3 or more hours of their day. read more

We love this place. It's a small/toned down version of the wild, but it's the perfect size and much cheaper. Lots for the kids to see, and the baby goat area where you can go in and hold them is adorable. The play area at the end is a perfect way to end the visit and to have a snack or lunch. We really adore this little place! read more

Had a private birthday party here and it was perfect! We were able to feed otters, capybara, and deer. The playground area had a ball pit and much more. The owners were so sweet and you could tell how much they loved sharing their animals. An incredible value and such a memorable evening. I highly recommend it! read more

Five Stars for Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo! I worked here as an animal caretaker for several summers, but had been going to Ft Rickey as a visitor since I was in diapers. My favorite part has always been the Maternity Ward, where you're allowed to frolic with and hold baby African Pygmy Goats. FUN!! In addition to barnyard animals, there are rehabilitated wildlife, deer you can feed, and exotic primates, among other critters, plus throughout the day the staff members give a number of fun (and often hands-on) presentations. Behind the scenes, I can say that all of the residents of the "farm" are all very well cared for by hardworking young animal-lovers. The very nice and knowledgeable Cross family owns and runs Fort Rickey on their property, which is on a historical Revolutionary War site. Plus, the last I knew, you could still get real Slush Puppies there. (!!!) read more

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We had an amazing experience at Fort Rickey yesterday. We did a creature connection visit, where we had the park to ourselves, and everyone had a blast. The animals are beautiful, and so are the grounds. We loved how interactive it was! We got to feed the otters, and visit the maternity ward where we could hang out with all the baby goats which were adorable among other fun things. The owners were super friendly and very accommodating to our group. There were hand sanitizing stations everywhere, and everything is really clean. The playland area is great! It almost reminds me of a mini discovery zone. My kids had a ball. We had such a great experience, and we will definitely be back next year!! read more

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I can't believe I lived in Upstate NY for well over a decade and never checked out the Fort Rickey Petting Zoo in Rome, NY. We stopped by today for their Fall Fun Festival which only cost a mere $5 per person to get in. I was really amazed at the variety of animals they had, and especially the interactivity they allowed (and encouraged) with certain animals. Off the top of my head, they had chickens and peacocks roaming freely, Timber Wolves, porcupines, donkeys, Pygmy goats, rabbits, a monkey, llamas, deer, and a duck pond stocked with minnows, catfish, and more. They had a "maternity ward" which allowed visitors to pick up and hold baby Pygmy goats, and also had a fenced off area where visitors can walk amongst the deer and pet them, as well. I really enjoy bringing my daughter to places like instead of traditional zoos, as she can see and interact with animals in their natural habitats as opposed to in cages or tanks. Huge hat tip to Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo for their setup they have going on. read more

We came here yesterday with my kids, who are teenagers now, and other family. We all had a great time! I was skeptical considering the admission price is more than Utica Zoo but this place was different. The staff was great and interactive and it's a great experience for people of all ages to be able to feed and touch some animals. This is what makes this zoo stand out above others. read more

My husband and I were truly impressed with this place! The variety of animals was beyond our expectations: they have numerous species you can directly interact with (goats, sheep, porcupines, deer, ponies, and more) in addition to many more exotic animals like otters, timber wolves, kangaroos, etc! There's something fun for the entire family. The owners are knowledgable and engaging. If you're in the area, this is a MUST SEE. read more

We lived in the area for four years and were a member of the zoo for two. The staff was always friendly, the kids loved that they could get up close and feed the animals, and they loved their ball pit, nursery, and Fall festival. We loved this zoo much better than the Utica zoo! That being said, I hated that the zoo seems to be built on a flood plain because it was always muddy and the mosquitoes were horrible, especially in the Spring! read more

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The Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo had been a favorite destination for my family for the past few years now, until today. It is with great disappointment that I write this review to inform the public what kind of a person the proprietor of the zoo is. From all of my past experiences, he appeared to be a friendly & courteous gentleman, and a wonderful host to his patrons. But alas, this outward appearance is a facade. For if some sort of misfortune befalls you on his property, his true, discourteous, condescending self shall rear its ugly head. Let me tell you of what happened this fateful day. My children had been longing for a day at the discovery zoo, & we had yet to make a visit this summer, so I finally decided to enjoy the day there on this bright, sunny Friday. Upon our arrival, I found the parking lot to be full, & in an unsuccessful attempt to find a space to park to the right of the lot, I tried to swing around & turn to drive out of the lane of cars rather than back up all the way to the center of the lot. The far portion of ground on the right side of the lot levels lower & is covered with green overgrowth, so anyone unfamiliar with the property would not know until it is too late that the earth beneath is wet, muddy, & marshy. This misfortune befell me, & my front tires sank into the ground & I became quite stuck & in need of assistance to get out. Mind you, I have a large, powerful 4wd SUV with a v8 engine & have never have had any trouble maneuvering around any type of terrain before. When I alerted the young lady at the entrance to the zoo of the situation, she had another young lady go & speak with Len Cross, the owner & proprietor. This second young lady returned to tell me that he suggested I call AAA or someone to tow me out. I was taken aback at this. I responded that I was not going to pay someone to tow me out of a sink hole on his property, & that is was the zoo's responsibility & I again asked for assistance. I then walked over to Mr. Cross & spoke with him directly, asking him if he could please assist me in getting my car unstuck. He proceeded to speak to me on the most disrespectful, condescending, & accusatory tone. Telling me I had driven into a ditch, & that although he was not obligated to assist me, he would have his maintenance man pull me out whenever he happened to return to the zoo grounds. Basically, he treated me like I was some stupid jerk who had intentionally driven into a ditch. I was flabbergasted at this repugnant & chauvinistic behavior. Instead of being courteous & apologetic, willing to assist one of his patrons, he instead was accusatory & defensive, stating repeatedly that no one else all summer long had had such a situation arise. When I suggested that if there was a section of his parking lot that was not safe to be driven on, he should have it roped off or the like, he said it wasn't necessary nor his responsibility to do so. Then, he continued in his attempt to belittle & humiliate me by making an announcement over the zoo's intercom system that "the lady in the ditch (with repeated emphasis on ditch) come to the lot to have her vehicle pulled out". Regardless what I was stuck in, is this any way to treat a person? A patron of his establishment? In front of her children? Did I ask to get stuck in his marshland lot ( because there is no ditch. Its marsh.)? I was so shaken by this experience. Please think twice about giving a person like this your business. A shameful way to act towards a person in distress, caused by a hazard of his own disregard & negligence to keep his patrons safe. Thank you. read more