There’s A Quirky Petting Zoo Hiding At This Unassuming Convenience Store In Wisconsin
A quick highway stop can turn into the most entertaining part of the drive. One minute you are stretching your legs, and the next you are feeding carrots to donkeys, goats, alpacas, and even a peacock.
In Wisconsin, this roadside country store packs far more fun into a simple detour than most travelers expect. Inside, fresh sandwiches, local products, and coffee make it easy to grab something before getting back on the road.
Outside is where the real excitement begins. Friendly animals wander close to the fence, and kids can get surprisingly attached to the routine of stopping by to see them.
Families have turned this cheerful break into a road trip tradition. It is easy, casual, and much more memorable than another rushed fuel stop. Miss the exit once, and you may make sure not to do it again.
A Roadside Stop That Doubles As A Farm Visit
Most gas stations give you fuel and forgettable snacks. Concord General Store gives you fuel, a deli counter, and a barnyard full of animals a short walk from the pumps.
The setup works because it feels natural rather than staged. You park, you shop, and then you wander past the lot toward the pens where donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, and alpacas live. There is no ticket booth and no line.
Families traveling between Milwaukee and Madison often build the stop into their route on purpose. Kids get to stretch their legs and burn off energy while parents grab coffee or a warm sandwich.
You will notice the horse statue out front and small horseshoe prints pressed into the cement near the entrance. Little touches like that hint at what waits behind the building.
The zoo has its own hours, typically 9 AM to 5 PM, and is open year-round when weather allows. Plan on twenty to thirty minutes if you want to feed the animals and look around properly.
Wisconsin has plenty of scenic detours, but few of them sit this close to the interstate. That convenience is a big part of the appeal.
Meet The Animals Living Behind The Parking Lot
Donkeys tend to steal the show, mostly because they announce themselves before you even reach the fence. Their braying carries across the lot and makes kids laugh every single time.
Beyond the donkeys, you may spot goats, sheep, ponies, alpacas, llamas, pigs, ducks, chickens, and other fowl. A peacock has been part of the lineup as well, and it is hard to miss when it decides to show off.
The pens sit behind a line of trees, which keeps the area feeling separate from the highway noise. Walking paths let you move from one group of animals to the next without much effort.
Each animal has its own personality. Some crowd the fence looking for a snack, while others hang back and watch you with mild curiosity.
Concord General Store keeps the grounds tidy and shaded, so summer visits stay comfortable. Picnic tables and small children’s playhouses give younger visitors something extra to explore.
Bring a camera or your phone. The combination of alpacas, ponies, and a gas station sign in the background makes for a photo people will ask about later.
Feeding Time Is The Highlight For Kids
Handing a carrot to a goat ranks high on the list of simple childhood joys. At the Concord General Store animal area, that moment costs very little and delivers a lot.
You can buy carrots or feed cones inside the store before visiting the animals. Grabbing feed before you walk back is the smart move, since you will almost certainly want more than you planned.
Teach younger kids to hold their palm flat and let the animal take the food gently. Goats and donkeys are eager eaters, so a little coaching prevents surprised squeals.
Older kids often enjoy the alpacas and llamas, which approach at their own pace. Patience pays off with those two.
A donation box sits near the entrance to the animal area. Contributions help support the care and feeding of the herd, and dropping something in is a nice habit to model for your children.
Wash your hands after feeding. The store has clean restrooms inside, which makes that step easy before you head back to the car.
The Store Inside Is Worth Exploring On Its Own
Skip the animals for a second and the shopping alone justifies the exit. Shelves here carry local Wisconsin cheese, meats, snacks, and products from small farms and vendors around the region.
You will find the usual convenience store items too, so nobody leaves empty handed. The difference is the extra layer of goods you rarely see at a highway stop.
Organic options appear throughout the aisles. Shoppers who avoid gluten have long pointed to the allergy friendly snack section as one of the most complete they have come across on the road.
Seasonal produce shows up as well. Fresh sweet corn during the summer months is a favorite among regulars who plan their drives around it.
The layout at Concord General Store stays clean and easy to navigate. Wide aisles help when you are moving through with kids or carrying a coffee.
Staff members are quick to point you toward something if you ask. That friendliness comes up again and again from people who stop regularly. Set aside a few extra minutes. You will probably leave with something you did not plan on buying.
Coffee, Boba, And Kombucha Under One Roof
Cold brew at a gas station usually means something sad in a plastic cup. Not the case here.
A small cafe area operates inside the building, serving specialty coffee drinks made to order. Local roasters have been part of the rotation, which explains why coffee comes up so often when people talk about this stop.
Boba drinks are available too, which surprises first time visitors. Teenagers in the back seat tend to perk up when they hear that. Kombucha on tap has been another longtime draw. Pouring a fresh cup before a long drive feels like a small upgrade to your day.
The seating area is compact but comfortable. You can sit for a few minutes, sip something warm, and let the kids finish their snacks before heading back out.
Concord General Store opens early, with weekday hours starting at 5 AM. Commuters and early travelers make good use of that. Order your drink before you visit the animals. Carrying a coffee while feeding a goat is a gamble you probably do not want to take.
Fresh Food Off The Grill And Behind The Deli Counter
The smell hits you before you see the grill. On many days, staff cook bratwurst and hamburgers outside, and the aroma drifts right across the parking lot.
A condiment station sits nearby, stocked with fresh toppings so you can build your brat exactly how you like it. That attention to detail is not something you expect at a fuel stop.
Inside, the deli counter turns out sandwiches made to order. They take a few minutes, and those minutes are worth it. Grab and go items fill the coolers for travelers in a hurry. Baked goods rotate through as well, which pairs nicely with the coffee.
Address for your GPS: N6485 County Rd F, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. The exit sits right off I-94 in the Concord area, so the detour barely costs you time. Picnic tables outside give you a shaded place to eat. Kids can watch the animals from a distance while you finish your food.
If you are driving through Wisconsin around lunchtime, plan your stop accordingly. Eating here beats a drive-thru by a wide margin.
Small Extras That Make The Stop Memorable
Little details separate a decent rest stop from one you remember. A small dog park sits on the property, giving your travel companion a chance to move around after hours in the back seat.
Children’s playhouses add another layer for younger visitors. Kids climb, hide, and play while parents catch their breath.
Shaded picnic tables scattered around the grounds make eating outside pleasant during warm months. A garden area adds to the relaxed feel behind the building.
Free air for tires remains available, which is a genuinely useful perk on a long drive. Not many places still offer that without hassle.
Mobil gas pumps handle the practical side of the visit. You can fuel up, eat, and let the kids meet a pony without moving your car. Clean restrooms round out the experience, and travelers consistently mention how well kept they are.
The whole property at Concord General Store rewards a slower pace. Rushing through means missing the horseshoe prints in the cement, the garden beds, and the quieter corners near the animal pens.
Planning Your Visit Without The Guesswork
Timing matters more than you might think. The store runs from 5 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and opens at 6:30 AM on Sunday, with later Friday and Saturday closing times during summer.
Daylight visits work best for the animals. Morning and late afternoon tend to be cooler and more comfortable for everyone involved. Call ahead if you have questions before making the drive. The website also gives you a look at what they carry.
Bring cash or small bills for the donation box and feed dispensers. It makes the outdoor portion of the visit simpler. Wear shoes you do not mind getting a little dusty. Farm ground is farm ground, especially after rain.
Travelers heading back from the Wisconsin Dells often use this exit as a natural break point. Families driving the Milwaukee to Madison corridor do the same.
What makes Concord General Store stand out is how much it packs into one ordinary looking stop. You arrive for gas and leave with fresh food, local goods, and a kid who will not stop talking about the donkeys.