- Attraction: Space Farms: Zoo & Museum
- Location: 218 County Road 519, Sussex, NJ 07461
- Industry: Zoo
- Website: https://spacefarms.com/
Picture this: roaming through a sprawling 100-acre property where you can watch bears lounging in the morning sun, then step inside to admire a 1906 Buick and one of the largest private firearm collections in America.
Space Farms Zoo & Museum defies easy categorization, blending wildlife encounters with American history in ways that have captivated families for nearly a century.
What started as Ralph and Elizabeth Space’s humble gas station and general store in 1927 has evolved into one of New Jersey’s most distinctive attractions, where over 500 animals and 50,000 historical artifacts coexist in a throwback experience that feels authentically vintage.
The backstory makes it even better.
Ralph Space originally trapped predators for the New Jersey Game Department, but his children convinced him to spare the animals instead of selling their pelts.
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Keep Exploring →During the Great Depression, local farmers traded family heirlooms for supplies at the Space General Store, creating the foundation for today’s remarkable museum collection.
Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Space Farms remains a uniquely Jersey roadside attraction set against the stunning backdrop of the Kittatinny Mountains.
Wildlife Encounters Across 100 Acres
The Big Cats: You’ll find an impressive collection of apex predators here, including African lions, black leopards, South American jaguars, cougars, lynx, bobcats, and Bengal tigers. Tiger Lily, one of the resident tigers, is known for interacting playfully with visitors through the enclosure.
The Bear Collection: Multiple bear species call Space Farms home, including grizzly bears, Hokkaido bears, Kodiak bears, and black bears.
The attraction gained fame for once housing Goliath, a Kodiak bear who weighed 2,000 pounds and was recognized as the largest bear in captivity before his passing in 1991. His mounted form now greets visitors at the entrance, making for quite the first impression.
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Discover MorePrimate Residents: Watch ring-tailed lemurs scamper through their habitats while New Guinea baboons climb and chatter. The Rhesus monkeys constantly groom each other, always putting on a show for visitors passing by.
The Deer Paddocks: Several deer species roam spacious areas, including fallow deer, Japanese Sitka deer, and native white-tailed deer. You can purchase corn from feeders scattered throughout the property to interact with these gentler residents.
Exotic Additions: Kangaroos hop around their enclosures (look closely for joeys in pouches), spotted hyenas provide their distinctive laughing sounds, and a treasured white elk herd roams the grounds. You’ll also spot lemurs, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, and various snake species throughout your visit.
Interactive Animal Experiences: Late spring brings newborn animals that you can sometimes feed during the 2 PM daily bottle feeding sessions at Pop Pop’s Nursery. The zoo also hosts daily animal feedings at 12:45 PM, where you can watch zookeepers nourish the residents.
You can purchase bags of animal crackers to toss to the bears, and quarter-operated feeders let you offer snacks to various animals along the paths.
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The Antique Car Museum: Over 50 vintage automobiles and motorcycles span from a 1906 Buick Model G to a 1954 Kaiser Daren. The collection remains largely unrestored, preserving the authentic patina of these Depression-era vehicles.
You can practically imagine gangsters hopping out of the 1930s automobiles as you stroll down the display corridor.
The Firearms Collection: Space Farms houses one of the largest private antique firearms collections in the United States. Colonial period weapons sit alongside later pieces, creating a comprehensive timeline of American firearm history.
Farm Equipment & Tools: Early American farm machinery, old farming tools, and implements tell the story of rural agricultural life. These artifacts showcase how settlers and farmers worked the land before modern mechanization.
Horse-Drawn Heritage: Antique horse-drawn carriages and sleighs fill dedicated exhibit spaces, transporting you back to an era when these were the primary modes of transportation through Sussex County’s snowy winters and muddy springs.
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Discover MoreDolls & Household Items: An extensive doll collection shares space with antique household appliances, clocks, and everyday items that families once traded for supplies during the Depression. Each piece carries its own story of hardship and survival.
Native American Artifacts: Ralph and Fred Space collected numerous artifacts from the local area, which makes sense given that the property sits on a former Native American campsite at the base of the Kittatinny Mountain Range.
The Indoor Waterfall: Tucked inside one of the museum buildings, you’ll discover a relaxing indoor waterfall feature that provides a tranquil spot to rest between exhibits.
Crystal Collections: Beyond the cars and artifacts, the museum showcases crystal and mineral collections that add geological interest to the historical displays.
Old-Fashioned Atmosphere & Natural Settings
The Grounds: The 100-acre property offers stunning views with a lake and mountains visible in the distance. Dirt pathways wind through the zoo areas, giving the experience a rustic, country feel that contrasts sharply with modern city zoos.
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Keep Exploring →This is outdoor exploration at its most authentic, so comfortable walking shoes are essential.
Vintage Vibe: Space Farms proudly embraces its throwback character. The facility feels remarkably unchanged from decades past, earning descriptions like stepping back into the 1950s.
This old-fashioned approach is intentional and part of the charm for many visitors who appreciate experiencing something that hasn’t been sanitized or overly modernized.
Natural Habitats: Animal enclosures feature natural dirt, grass, and outdoor elements rather than artificial backdrops. The animals live in settings that prioritize practical space over elaborate theming. Some enclosures are double-fenced for safety.
Scenic Location: The drive to Space Farms takes you through beautiful New Jersey farmland in the rural Skylands region near the Pennsylvania and New York borders. The property’s natural beauty and mountain backdrop make the journey part of the experience.
Museum Ambiance: The nine museum buildings create a treasure hunt atmosphere. Each structure contains different collections, encouraging exploration and discovery as you move from vintage cars to antique toys to historical weapons.
Practical Considerations For Your Visit
Pricing & Value: Adult admission (ages 13-64) runs around $22-25, children (3-12) pay approximately $21, and seniors (65+) are charged about $24. Children under 3 enter free.
While some consider this pricey for a smaller zoo, the dual zoo-and-museum experience provides solid value for a full day’s entertainment. Season passes are available for frequent visitors.
Food Options: Extreme Pizza operates on-site, offering convenient dining without leaving the property. However, many visitors bring picnic lunches to enjoy at the numerous picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds under shade trees.
Food availability inside is somewhat limited, so planning ahead helps.
Parking Situation: Free parking is available across the street from the entrance, with ample space for all visitors. This is a major convenience given the rural location.
Best Times To Visit: Late spring is particularly popular for seeing newborn animals, while early mornings during summer months mean more active animals. Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends. The attraction typically operates from April through November, closing during winter months.
What To Bring: Wear sturdy walking shoes suitable for dirt paths and uneven terrain. Bring water, as there’s limited access to refreshments once you’re exploring the zoo areas. Quarters come in handy for the animal feeders. Bring your camera to capture both wildlife and the extensive antique collections.
Time Requirements: Plan for at least 3 hours, though many families spend an entire day exploring everything. The combination of outdoor animal viewing and indoor museum browsing provides natural pacing with breaks from the sun.
Family Friendly: The playground equipment near the picnic area gives children a spot to burn energy between animal exhibits. All-terrain strollers work best on the dirt pathways. The experience appeals to multigenerational groups, with enough variety to engage both young children and grandparents.
Space Farms: Zoo & Museum
📍 218 County Road 519, Sussex, NJ 07461
