COTTAGEVILLE ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Tractor Wagons, Honeybee Hives and a Full Day of Hands-On Encounters in Cottageville
All-day general admission at Bee City Zoo in Cottageville gives access to a honeybee farm, interactive zoo, gift shop, café, nature trail and a reserved 20–25 minute tractor-pulled safari ride — useful for planning a family visit with timed seating and seasonal runs.
Tractor Wagons, Honeybee Hives and a Full Day of Hands-On Encounters in Cottageville.
Bee City in Cottageville is a family-owned honeybee farm turned hands-on zoo and nature center, a compact operation built over three decades to educate visitors about honeybees while offering close animal encounters, a gift shop, café and a nature trail—an experience designed to occupy a whole day for families and curious travelers.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Safari Wagon: 20–25 Minutes of Guided Encounters
The safari is a tractor‑pulled wagon ride, lasting roughly 20 to 25 minutes with a guide who narrates about the animals encountered; these animals are exclusive to the ride and the attraction runs seasonally from spring through mid‑fall.
A Working Honeybee Farm and Nature Center
Bee City began as a honeybee farm and maintains its mission to educate visitors about the importance of honeybees while offering hands‑on, interactive animal experiences across its nature center and trails.
All‑Day Access, Gift Shop and Café
General admission grants what the operator describes as an entire day on site, with additional conveniences such as a gift shop and café to round out a family visit.
What the day feels like
What a Visit Feels Like
You can spend an entire day on the grounds—moving between the honeybee displays, interactive animal enclosures, nature trail and visitor amenities—then join a reserved safari wagon for a narrated, 20–25 minute loop. Safari seats are reserved and non‑refundable once booked; rides are bookable online until an hour before departure and visitors are asked to arrive at the Safari gate 15 minutes prior to the ride time.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this visit suits—and who should rethink it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
General admission hours: Wed–Fri 9:00–17:00, Sat 9:00–18:00, Sun 11:00–18:00. The safari runs seasonally from spring through mid‑fall, pauses in October for Christmas Festival preparations, and schedules may change for weather or customer volume.
Bring whatever you need for a comfortable day outdoors; for the safari, arrive at the Safari gate 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and note that reservations are required and non‑refundable once booked.
General admission plus safari is $23.00 for ages 3 and up, $21.00 for seniors or military; ages 2 and under are free but must sit on an adult’s lap during the safari.
Safari rides require reservations; seats can be booked online until one hour prior to departure. Once you reserve a safari seat it is removed from circulation and is non‑refundable.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is general admission valid?
General admission tickets are valid for the entire day.
How long is the safari ride?
The safari wagon ride lasts approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Do I need a reservation for the safari?
Yes. The safari requires a reservation and seats are non‑refundable once booked.
What are the rates and age rules?
The combined general admission and safari is $23.00 for ages 3 and up, $21.00 for seniors or military; children 2 and under ride free but must sit on an adult’s lap during the safari.
When do safari rides operate and can the schedule change?
Safari rides operate from spring through mid‑fall, will pause in October for Christmas Festival preparations, and the schedule is subject to change due to weather or customer volume.
When should I arrive for my safari reservation?
Please arrive at the Safari gate 15 minutes prior to the safari departure time.