The Duesseldorf Grafenberg Wildlife Park is among Germany’s oldest parks of its kind. It has vast outdoor enclosures with an eclectic collection of exclusively native animals. Bring your kids to feed and pet the animals in this intimate and interactive park.
See raccoons, wild boars and other cute animals in the open-air enclosures. Get a look at the mouflon, which are horned, red-brown colored sheep. The 100 or so animals here also include red deer, fallow deer, badgers, raccoons, pheasants and partridges. Bring apples, pears, carrots, corn and raw potatoes to feed them. Collect acorns and chestnuts to offer for a special autumn treat.
Go to the bee house to learn about their intriguing living patterns and see the pigeons as well. Inspect the ant hills and relax near the small pond. Let the kids run wild in the playground. The site has a Forest School, where you can learn about the local eco-systems and the natural life in this vast area of woodland. For a particularly fun atmosphere, visit the complex during the Wildparkfest, which takes place every other summer.
The park was inaugurated in 1927, when it had only fallow and roe deer. Explore some of the 100 acres (40 hectares) of scenic grounds in this park. Hike along the trails with your family and bring snacks and refreshments for a picnic. Sit at one of the benches and read a book in this tranquil area.
Admission to the park is free year-round. It opens daily from morning until late afternoon, staying open later in summer.
Find the Duesseldorf Grafenberg Wildlife Park in the Grafenberg Forest in the northeastern district of the city. Ride the U-Bahn bus, tram or train to the Auf der Hardt stop and walk north for 15 minutes to reach the park. Visit nearby sights, such as the Duesseldorf Grafenberg Golf Course, the Grafenberger Racecourse and the Zoopark.
