Mitchell’s Petting Zoo & Exotics invites guests in Sweetwater, Tennessee, to enjoy a memorable hands-on animal experience. Home to a wonderful variety of furry and feathered creatures, the zoo creates a welcoming setting for famil...
This family-owned exotic petting zoo has earned a devoted following, and it's easy to see why. The animals, ranging from capybaras and camels to prairie dogs, sloths, and even a warthog, are clearly well cared for, and visitors consistently remark on how friendly and approachable everything feels. The staff bring genuine warmth and knowledge to every visit, going out of their way to make guests feel welcome. The add-on animal encounters are a standout feature, with the capybara experience drawing particular praise from families. Private experiences are available and worth considering, especially for kids. One thing to keep in mind is that the overall footprint is on the smaller side, so if you're expecting a large-scale zoo, adjust your expectations accordingly. Think of it more as an intimate, hands-on experience rather than a full day destination. The owners have built something genuinely special here, and that comes through in nearly every review. Visitors who stumbled upon it by chance often leave planning a return trip.
The family and I had a wonderful time meeting all of the animals at Mitchell’s Petting Zoo. Everyone who works there is so friendly, too. We purchased two additional encounters with a kangaroo and the capybaras (ahead of time and online!) for our daughter’s 13th birthday and it was so worth it, especially the capybaras. I was worried this would be more geared towards really little kids, but my daughter loves animals so we gave it a chance. It ended up being a ton of fun for the entire family. My husband was on the ground giving capybaras belly rubs and was easily as happy as the kiddo! 😅 So worth the visit and the animals all seem very well looked after and loved. Every time I thought we’d seen it all, we found another critter. If you love booping adorable animal snoots, I can’t recommend this place enough.
Maggie Ransom
August 23, 2026
The family and I had a wonderful time meeting all of the animals at Mitchell’s Petting Zoo. Everyone who works there is so friendly, too. We purchased two additional encounters with a kangaroo and the capybaras (ahead of time and online!) for our daughter’s 13th birthday and it was so worth it, especially the capybaras. I was worried this would be more geared towards really little kids, but my daughter loves animals so we gave it a chance. It ended up being a ton of fun for the entire family. My husband was on the ground giving capybaras belly rubs and was easily as happy as the kiddo! 😅 So worth the visit and the animals all seem very well looked after and loved. Every time I thought we’d seen it all, we found another critter. If you love booping adorable animal snoots, I can’t recommend this place enough.
Maggie Ransom
August 23, 2026