Petting Zoo: Country Critters

Country Critters Petting Zoo is setting up at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden from Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11. You'll find them outside Pecan Grove, where they're bringing in a crew of barnyard animals for a few days of close-up visits. It's a simple, hands-on thing: friendly farm animals out in the open for anyone to meet.

The petting zoo is part of the Arboretum's Autumn at the Arboretum celebration, and Country Critters has taken up residence in the Pumpkin Village. That's the real draw here—the animals are surrounded by thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and squash, so it's as much about the fall scenery as it is about the animals. It's the kind of setup that works for all ages, whether you're bringing kids or just want to spend a morning around some animals.

If you're planning to go, keep the timing in mind. The petting zoo runs from 9 AM to 1 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so it's a morning activity rather than an afternoon or evening one. Since it's part of the larger Autumn at the Arboretum celebration, you can easily make it one stop on a longer visit to the gardens. The animals will be out at the same time each day, so you've got three mornings to choose from.