This is a pretty small place, so it's a quick walk through... yes, totally free! And no heavy donation pressure. Yes, we dropped some change in the little shop; the shop has a few interesting items that you won't find just anywhere - full butterfly hatching/growing kits, for example. Great stuff for animal interested kids.
I cannot comment on the quality of animal care... Myrtle the turtle was very fun to watch, but her tank does look too small for her. All other animals looked well cared for and happy, to me. Many, many varieties of snakes and lizards... tarantulas and some gorgeous, fascinating mounted (dead) bugs to look at.
They have a little "scavenger hunt" for the kids, with a free prize at the end. Our whole family was very delighted with our visit.
It's a tiny but mighty museum. The place is packed with a wide variety of snakes, turtles, spiders, beetles and much more. I found it very interesting and informative. I spent about an hour.
There's a small store for buying children’s toys and gifts related to bugs and reptiles.
Free admission. Though there’s a donation box near the cash register where you pay for children’s. It’s well worth a $5 or more donation!