You’re driving down the Long Island Expressway, past the tangles of traffic in Melville and the suburban sprawl of Ronkonkoma, and suddenly the trees get thicker. The air changes. You hit Manorville, and if you have kids in the backseat, you probably know exactly where you’re headed. It’s the Long Island Game Farm. People call it a petting zoo in Manorville, but honestly, it feels more like a weirdly charming time capsule that’s managed to survive the era of flashy, high-tech theme parks.
It’s been around since 1970. Think about that.
While other roadside attractions have folded or turned into condos, this place stays rooted in the sandy soil of the Pine Barrens. It’s not Disney. It’s better in a way because it’s tactile. You aren't looking at a screen; you're getting licked by a giraffe.
What's the Deal with the Animals?
Most people go straight for the nursery. It’s the heart of the experience. You walk in and it’s basically chaos in the best way possible—baby goats jumping on things, lambs crying for bottles, and kids trying to figure out if they’re scared or thrilled. It’s loud. It smells like hay and grain.
You can buy these little bottles of milk.
The goats know exactly what those bottles look like. They will swarm you. If you’re a parent, my advice is to hold the bottle with your child or they might lose it to a particularly ambitious kid (the goat kind, though sometimes the human kind too).
Then there’s Clifford. He’s the resident giraffe. Feeding a giraffe is one of those things that looks cool in photos but feels totally bizarre in person because their tongues are huge, dark, and surprisingly dexterous. They're prehensile. That means they can wrap that purple-black tongue around a piece of lettuce and yank it out of your hand before you can say "smile for the camera."
Beyond the Farm Favorites
It’s not just barnyard animals. They’ve got lemurs, camels, and even zebras. But there’s a nuance to how the Game Farm operates compared to a massive metropolitan zoo. It feels closer. You aren't looking through three layers of reinforced glass at a distance of fifty feet. You’re right there.
There was a time when they had a lot more "exotic" stuff, but over the years, the focus has shifted. It’s more about the interaction now. The red kangaroos are a big hit. They have this walk-through habitat where you can basically hang out in their space. It’s called "Bindi’s Barnyard."
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It’s named after Bindi Irwin, which tells you a bit about the vibe they’re going for—conservation-minded but accessible.
The Reality of Visiting a Manorville Petting Zoo
Let’s talk logistics because nobody likes getting to Manorville and realizing they forgot something vital. The park is seasonal. Don’t show up in January expecting to feed a deer; you’ll find a closed gate and a very quiet woods. They usually open around April and run through October, with some special events in the fall.
The ground is uneven. It’s the woods. If you bring a stroller, make sure it has decent wheels, not those tiny plastic ones that get stuck on every pebble.
- Prices vary. It’s not cheap, but it’s a full-day thing.
- Food is basic. Think hot dogs, pretzels, the standard "zoo food" groups.
- The ponies. There are pony rides, but they have weight limits, so keep that in mind for older kids.
Is it perfect? No. Some of the enclosures look a bit dated. It’s a 50-year-old facility in the middle of a forest. If you’re looking for the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of a modern San Diego Zoo, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want your kids to actually touch a cow and understand that milk doesn't just come from a plastic carton, this is it.
The Survival of the Game Farm
There was a lot of worry a few years ago when the original founder, Stanley Novak, passed away. People thought the land would be sold off. Manorville is prime real estate for developers. But his daughter, Melinda Novak, took over and has been pushing the place forward. They’ve added more educational programs and tried to modernize the habitats while keeping that "old Long Island" feel.
It’s a legacy thing. You see grandparents bringing their grandkids, pointing at the wooden fence and saying, "I used to stand right here when I was five." That kind of continuity is rare on Long Island.
Avoiding the Crowds
If you go on a Saturday in July at noon, you’re going to have a bad time. It’s packed. The line for the giraffe feeding will be long, and the goats will be so full of milk from previous visitors that they might just ignore you.
Go on a Tuesday. Or go right when they open.
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The animals are hungriest and most active in the morning. By 2:00 PM, half the zoo is taking a nap in the shade. Plus, the heat in Manorville can be brutal because the trees block the breeze but trap the humidity. Morning is your friend.
Also, check the weather. If it rained the night before, the paths will be muddy. Wear boots. Don’t wear your brand-new white sneakers to a place where the main attraction is cloven-hoofed animals. You’ll regret it the second a goat steps on your foot.
Why Manorville?
Manorville is often called the "Gateway to the Hamptons," but that’s a bit of a disservice. It’s a destination in its own right. You have the Long Island Game Farm, but you also have the Pine Barrens Trails and Waterdrinker Family Farm right nearby.
You can make a whole day of it.
- Start at the Game Farm in the morning.
- Hit a local farm stand for some roasted corn.
- Go to the nearby ice cream shop.
It's a slice of agriculture in a county that’s mostly paved over. Honestly, the smell of pine needles and manure is a welcome break from the smell of exhaust on the LIE.
The Misconceptions
Some people think a petting zoo in Manorville is just for toddlers. I’ve seen teenagers who act "too cool" for everything suddenly lose their minds when a wallaby hops past them. There’s something primal about it.
Others worry about the animal welfare. The Game Farm is regulated by the USDA and has to meet specific standards. You can tell the keepers actually care about these animals. They know their names, their temperaments, and who’s feeling grumpy on a Tuesday.
It’s not a circus. It’s a sanctuary of sorts for domestic and exotic animals that wouldn't survive in the wild but thrive with a steady supply of carrots and human attention.
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Practical Tips for the Best Experience
Don't just rush through. The park is bigger than it looks from the parking lot. If you walk fast, you’ll be done in an hour and feel like you wasted your money. Slow down. Sit on a bench near the lemurs and watch them jump.
Bring hand sanitizer. They have stations, but they sometimes run out, and you’re going to be touching a lot of animals.
Check their social media before you leave the house. Sometimes they have "special guests" or new babies that just arrived. Last year, when the new giraffe arrived, it was a whole thing.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Pack a lunch: They have picnic areas. It saves you money and you can eat under the trees.
- Buy the souvenir cup: Usually, it gets you cheaper refills on drinks, which is a lifesaver in the August heat.
- Wear bug spray: It’s the woods. The ticks and mosquitoes are real.
- Bring cash: While they take cards for tickets, sometimes the smaller vending machines or specific animal encounters are easier with a few bucks in your pocket.
- Check the map: Don’t miss the "Deer Park" area towards the back. It’s quieter and feels very peaceful compared to the chaotic goat nursery.
The Long Island Game Farm isn't trying to be a high-tech marvel. It’s a place where you get a little dirty, learn a little bit about nature, and leave with a phone full of photos of your kids looking terrified and delighted at the same time. It's a Manorville staple for a reason.
If you're planning a trip, aim for a weekday morning, wear your "beater" shoes, and don't forget the sunscreen. The goats are waiting.
Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the Long Island Game Farm, check their official website for the current seasonal hours, as they change significantly between spring, summer, and fall. If you are traveling with a large group, call ahead to inquire about group rates which can shave a few dollars off the admission price. Finally, ensure your camera or phone is fully charged before entering; the "nursery" area provides some of the best candid photo opportunities on Long Island, but the shade of the Pine Barrens can sometimes trick your autofocus, so take plenty of shots.