We had a nice day at the game farm with our children ages 7 and 9. We only spent $8 a person since we are Manorville residents (a July special), which was worth it. Though we had fun, I don't feel it is worth the regular cost of admission. There are many animals to see and my children enjoyed touching the deer and goats. It gets expensive to buy animal food and $2 milk bottles for the baby goats (which are finished in ten seconds). The show was cute, not great. There are three little kid rides- a tiny train, carousel, and spinning tea cups. Each ride costs extra money.They sell expensive food/ drinks, so I'd bring your own. Also, it gets busy with school field trips and camps... So you may want to call ahead. The day I went was empty, which was nice. All in all, we had a nice day since it was a promo rate... Less than a cost of movie.
I went here with my husband, daughter (17 months), and in laws. I loved that there is a petting area where the kids can mingle and even touch some of the friendly animals. This is not your average zoo with lions, elephants, hippos, etc. This is certainly a deal breaker for some, but not for us. There are rides that you the kids can ride for an extra fee (pony ride, carousel, mini teacups, train). The neatest thing for me was being so close to the giraffe. I have never been able to reach out and touch one before. He was so docile and friendly. It was a beautiful day and he kept running in and out of his little barn. My daughter was pretty obsessive over the toy balls in all of the cages. I think that all of the animals except for the tortoises had one (ha ha!). The restrooms were broken during our visit and there were porta potties that nobody in our group needed, so I can't say much about that. The absolute best thing that you must not miss is the pekes show!!! My husband and I are behavior analysts. We were truly blown away by the level of training that the animals had for this show. My in laws were very entertained by the jokes and information offered by the host, and my daughter did not take her eyes off the stage for the entire 30 minutes. It is truly an amazing show for any person and we would honestly pay the price of admission just to see this show. I read that some people had problems with horse flies. I could see how that might be a problem, but without bug spray we didn't encounter and single horsefly or mosquito. Most of the park is shaded, so it would be comfortable temperature-wise for the warmer days. There were a lot of house flies, but you get so close to these animals that I think people take it for granted. The flies are around at any other zoo, but you don't notice because you are so far away from them at other zoos. You could touch probably 1/3 of the animals in this zoo. We found all of the staff to be very friendly.
This place is very expensive and when we went over the summer we were chased and bit by horseflies and mosquitos. They hurt. When we tried to sit and eat lunch the yellow jacket bees attacked us and anyone with food. Some of the animals are not in a space adequate for their size. All the garbage palls were full and overflowing. I love zoos and have been to many all over the country. This place was a disappointment and I wound not go back until they clean up the facility and take better care of the animals.
Having been to many zoo, I was surprised at smell in the air from the animals. The place was not clean, I needed to use my Purel bottle over and over again.
We always love our trips to LIGF. You kinda have to know where it is, because the signage right outside the farm isn't terribly clear.The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable, and it is run like a family business.When we went this week, we were told that due to the weather, the giraffes and monkeys were still "down South", so if those are animals you want to see, call ahead.It's not cheap, so look into pricing first. There may also be a coupon on their website for discounted admission.The highlight is always the goat nursery, where there is a big open grassy area where baby goats run around and you can feed them little bottles of milk.I would definitely suggest going there for a fun time.
I have visited the so called zoo and was HORRIFIED to say the least! The animals are in deplorable enclosures. The rides should be displayed in museums. The restrooms replaced with new ones and there is really no cooling facilities for the really hot days. There have been events when children burned their hands from the tea cup ride because of the sun reflecting on the metal wheel that spins the cup. But, most of all the animals sadden me. They are in small enclosures and are tormented by people and screaming children continuously. When last I visited the place, there was a donkey that was old, full of lumps and tired of being in that small enclosure. Imagine spending day and night in one small place! Sure, it is open for maybe 5 months, but some animals are there permanent. The real sadness is that no one else appears to see beyond the fence line. I mean, the last time there were two calves in a small SMALL enclosure and one was sick and dying the other prospering because it was the dominant one and taking all the food! No one made any complaints about that! There were two kangaroos. All of a sudden, only one remained. The other died and we don't know how. This place needs major restructuring. We do not need exotic animals. We can see them at the Bronx zoo. Simple farm animals in appropriate enclosures, with well up yo date rides and safe eating places would make this place a dream. Next time you go, look at the place. Take into consideration the animals, their living quarters and their health. Is this what you want your money to support?
It was horrible and a waste of money. The rides when they were working were death traps, my child went on the carousel and came off covered in grease. The animals looked so depressed the reptile display was a complete joke. The bathrooms require a hepatitis shot and the whole place is falling apart
My five year old loved this place. We fed the giraffe, donkey, deer, llamas all from our hands. We watched the kangaroo, lemur and alligator feeding which was fun and my daughter got to ride a carousel and a spinning tea cup ride. We also did a pony ride. This place was great...small and cozy and a bit expensive ($5 pony ride and $2.50 per carousel ride and $5 for a cup of animal food) but it was cute if you are in the area.
Wow !The Long Island Game Farm is an amazing place, nestled in the woods just south of Exit 70 on the LIE. The last time I checked they were no where near the Bronx, and were certainly not trying to compete with the Bronx Zoo.'The Long Island Game Farm in Manorville is actually an amazing place that has survived the tests of time, to the best of their abilities, because they are believers, and dedicated to preserving the very foundation that the Long Island Game Farm was based upon over 40 years ago.Here on Long Island we have what ?Do we have Disney or Great Adventure ? Nascar, Formula One or 1/4 mile ? Cabela's ?No we do not, nor will we ever.We have the Game Farm, which is an educational adventure in the wilds of Long Island.There are bees and more bees and flies and more flies, all at various times. These are all elements of nature and to be expected. The Game Farm is not at fault for what nature throws our way. The Game Farm instead brings us realism and reality, to the very best of their ability, and that dedication matters here on mid Long Island where there is NOTHING !I have not been at the Game Farm in many, many years, until last weekend, yet, based upon some of the very negative reviews that I feel are unfounded, I will clear my schedule so that I may once again enjoy the magic of the Long Island Game Farm just before they close for the 2014 season. Maybe I missed something, though I think not.I may even ask about volunteer opportunities because it is very obvious that this seasonal small town mid Island operation needs financing and staffing during the off months so that they can continue to provide their MAGIC to all of us, young, and old, that appreciate the Long Island Game Farm , it's history, it's sacrifice and the magic that it has provided for generations.I AM NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE LONG ISLAND GAME FARM OTHER THAN BEING A SUPPORTER AND BELIEVER IN THEIR ALMOST HALF CENTURY SACRIFICE TO BRING US ALL THE BEST POSSIBLE, REALISTIC LEARNING ADVENTURE HERE IN MID LONG ISLAND. They will never be the Bronx Zoo, though if they had the support and funding of BIG venues I am certain that they could measure up in the eyes of the naysayers . The Long Island Game Farm is an amazing place, a place that has earned it's right in the history books, and a place that has unselfishly tried for 45 years to bring the best possible educational and entertainment values to all that walked through their gates. They are hero's in this topsey turvey, unsettled world that we live in.
Went with my 5 and 12 year old. We got there 5 minutes before they opened and yet were not the first ones in. Within an hour, the place was packed. I do recommend coming early to avoid lines on the rides. Yes, this zoo has rides! tea cup, carousel, and a train. Also the pony rides were popular and drew a crowd. We loved walking in the enclosures with the deers and goats. The kids walked next to them and feed them food and milk from a bottle…this was an experience we will never forget. Also unforgettable was the giraffe feeding. He was so close! and his tongue licked our hands when he took the food out. If you do venture to this place, do not miss the dog show. All I have to say is Whoa. I enrolled my dogs in training after seeing the amazing things their animals did. This place is a must see. The all inclusive zebra pass is a little pricey, but definitely the way to go so everything can be experienced.