Some of New York’s zoos are among the most popular in the United States, animal parks visited by families and tourists for their hundreds of species and attractive facilities.
Let’s get to know in this article the 8 best zoos and aquariums in the “Big Apple”.
1. Central Park Zoo
It is an ideal place to see animals in the closest thing to their natural habitats, through three main ecosystems: the temperate territory, the tropical zone and the polar circle, areas with exotic birds, grizzly bears, snow leopards and different species of Antarctic penguins.
The Central Park Zoo is in the eastern corner of Central Park on 64th Street, with an area of 2.83 hectares. It is small, but one of the oldest in the country, opened in 1861.
In 1988 it reopened its doors to raise awareness about the conservation and preservation of animal life.
As well as being home to different species, the zoo has interactive areas like the Tisch Zoo, where little ones can pet and feed goats, sheep, some ducks and a cow.
Schedules
The zoo’s hours change seasonally. In summer, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday; on weekends and holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In winter, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. Check here rates and events.
2. Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is among the 10 best in the United States, it is the largest in New York and one of the most spacious in the world.
It occupies an area of 107 hectares with 700 species located according to their geographical area or species. In the African plains are the lions, in the highlands of the Himalayas are the leopards, while the imposing gorillas walk through the forest of the Congo. In total, there are more than 6 thousand animals with spaces that are a replica of their natural habitats.
This menagerie first opened its doors in 1816 and has been dedicated to the care and preservation of endangered species ever since.
In the Madagascar area you can see lemurs, crocodiles and boas, among others; There are also interactive activities where children can feed and interact with farm animals such as sheep, donkeys and goats and go on camel rides.
In the Jungle World there are tapirs, gibbons, otters and other animals, in a space similar to the Asian forest, with everything and the low temperatures.
attractions
With the Bronx Zoo Nature Trek you can enjoy the park through elevated tunnels, while having an excellent panoramic view of the zoo.
Intrepid visitors zip-line across the river or take the obstacle course suspended through the trees at the Treetop Adventure. An adventure that children 7 years and older can enjoy.
There is also an insect themed carousel, a 4D theater, the butterfly garden and a long list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy.
To learn more, you can check the official page here .
Schedules
Open daily except December 25, January 1, Thanksgiving, and Martin Luther King Day, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm from November 3 to April 3. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
The zoo is at 300 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx.
3. New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium has a sea passage through which you can walk along the bottom of the sea and at the same time admire reefs, colorful fish, turtles and imposing sharks swimming around you.
These facilities are part of the New York Wildlife Conservation Society and cover an area of 5.6 hectares inhabited by 350 marine species. It has sea lions, otters, penguins, pelicans, turtles, fish and other species.
attractions
In the summer of 2018, the Shark Pavilion was inaugurated after the remodeling of the aquarium due to Hurricane Sandy, an area consisting of interactive galleries and a huge glass tunnel that resembles a reef. You will be able to see sea turtles up close, as well as 18 types of rays and sharks.
Another of the main attractions is the sea lion show in the aquatheater.
Glovers Reef exhibits a replica of everyday marine life with colorful and numerous species of fish and other life forms.
Schedules
The aquarium is open daily from November 3 to April 3 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm For more information, see here .
The New York Aquarium is on Coney Island, in the iconic neighborhood of Brooklyn.
4. Queens Zoo
Zoo in Flushing Meadows Park in the Queens neighborhood, with more than 7 hectares of land that are home to the most representative species in America.
The space where the World’s Fairs were held was born in 1968. The dome where the aviary is located was originally a pavilion during the 1964 World’s Fair.
It has American bison, Andean bears, Jacob’s four-horned sheep, Texas longhorn cattle, elegant flamingos, giant rabbits, and the pudú, a small deer native to Argentina and Chile.
You will be able to feed and pet farm animals, as well as sea lions.
Being part of the Zoological Society of New York, the Queens Zoo also makes efforts for the conservation of wildlife, since more than 4 thousand Puerto Rican crested toads have been rescued, cottontail rabbits have been saved to return them to their habitat in New England and have achieved the birth of the first Andean bear in North America.
Schedules
The park is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from November 3 to April 3. It is at 53-51-111 Corona Street in the borough of Queens, New York. Check rates and events on the page here .
5. Staten Island Zoo
In the neighborhood of Staten Island is this park that is home to 300 species of animals such as leopards, monkeys, birds, kangaroos, sheep, goats and many reptiles.
It also has as an attraction the Day of the Groundhog, when the small mammal Chuck comes out of his burrow to predict if winter will end soon.
The park is the ideal size to go with small children since the animals are distributed by geographical zones, thus, in the African zone you will be able to observe lemurs and meerkats; in the tropical jungle you can see monkeys climbing trees and exotic frogs and colorful birds; The Kids Corral is loved by children because they can pet and feed the farm animals.
The little ones can have fun with stone sculptures in the temperate forest area; in the aquarium they can learn while they observe how fish and other species live under the sea and in the herpetarium they will discover the enormous exhibition of reptiles.
This zoo makes efforts to conserve animals, which is why it has a themed carousel with species that are in danger of extinction such as the koala, the Komodo dragon and the polar bear, among others.
Schedules
The zoo is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm Admission is free after 2:00 pm, and on Wednesdays.
Check events and entrance fees here .
6. Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Children’s Corner Zoo with nearly 12 acres of space, housing 400 animals from 150 species such as pallas cat, emus, baboons and peacocks.
On the Discovery Trail you can see red pandas napping, prairie dogs, birds and dingoes, all in spaces very similar to their natural habitats.
In the Hall of Animals you can admire the exotic poison dart frogs and the Vietnamese mossy frog; also, as part of the New York Wildlife Conservation Society, it was the first zoo to breed China’s big-headed tortoises.
attractions
You can’t miss the sea lion show, the aviary, the carousel with 53 hand-carved figures of animals or the spider’s web where the little ones can show off their skills as climbers.
At the “Garden Farm” you can buy feed for the cows, Cotswold sheep, Juliana pigs and other animals.
There are also green areas with tables and chairs to rest or have a picnic.
Schedules
The zoo, located at 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm from November 3 to April 3. Last entry is allowed 30 minutes before closing time.
7. Long Island Aquarium
Sea lions, sharks, African penguins, seals, alligators and a wide variety of fish await you at the Long Island Aquarium, a place with interactive activities to learn about the importance of preserving marine life.
The aquarium was inaugurated on June 15, 2000. It has a huge coral reef where you can see different and exotic species that inhabit this ecosystem, such as clown fish, butterfly fish and anemones, among others.
It also offers interactive activities such as underwater simulator rides, seal encounters, sea lion shows, shark diving (inside a cage), penguin selfies, fish sleepovers, insect encounters, the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and the largest exhibit of live insects in North America.
Schedules
The aquarium is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Thanksgiving and December 25.
Learn more about events, promotions and rates here .
8. Rosamond Gifford Zoo
About 700 animals of 75 species live in this park. It was founded in 1914 and through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums it is dedicated to making its visitors aware of the care and conservation of animals.
Among its attractions is the ASS Antiques Cave, where you can see fish, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, aquatic plants such as anemones, starfish and a huge octopus in its lair.
In the Nocturnal Animals area you will be able to see the species during their usual hours, such as sloths, mole rats, Pacific otters, temec foxes, among others.
The penguins are in the Pinguin Coast area. There is a free flight Aviary and to one side is the Social Animals area where you can see meerkats, lemurs, apes, monkeys and the Amur leopard, in danger of extinction.
There are also elephants with their baby elephants playing in the Asian Reserve, as well as many other animals found on the Wild Trail.
Schedules
This park is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm It is at 1 Conservation Pl, Syracuse, NY 13204.
Check here events and rates.
Zoo from the movie Madagascar
Alex, Gloria, Marty and Melman, protagonists of the movie Madagascar, managed to escape from their captivity in the Central Park Zoo.
Bronx Zoo Free Day 2020
While admission to the Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesdays, not all attractions are admitted. Check the rates before planning your visit.
bronx zoo price
The entrance prices for the Bronx Zoo are:
- Adults 65 and older: $22.95.
- Adults: $24.95.
- Children ages 3-12: $16.95.
- Children under 2 years enter free.
These are the main zoos in New York. We invite you to share this article with your friends on social networks.
See also:
- We leave you our guide on the 40 tourist places in New York to visit
- Also read our guide on the 25 best museums in New York that you must visit
- Get to know our guide to New York in 7 days: Detailed itinerary to make the most of it
