The Best Zoos In New York City For Tourists

New York City is one of the best holiday destinations. This city is packed with vibrant culture and plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

One such activity that you can try is attending one of the many zoos in New York City. New York City is one of the best places in the world for zoos.

Top 5 Zoos In New York City For Tourists

These excellent establishments have a broad spectrum of different creatures, making them ideal for animal lovers.

Fun for kids and families, these zoos allow you to see wonderful animals. Yet, it can be hard to know which of these zoos is best for you.

Luckily, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the various zoos in New York City!

1. Central Park Zoo

Address: East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021, United States

Central Park Zoo is an impressive venue that covers an impressive 6.5 acres of land.

Led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Central Park Zoo is a crucial part of a system that links multiple zoos in the city. 

In this Manhattan-based zoo, you can see some incredibly rare and endangered species.

This includes the red panda, grizzly bear, king penguin, and snow leopard. As a result, you can see these uncommon animals as the zoo works to protect the species. 

The zoo is formed of different zones. The first area is known as the Tropic Zone, which is designed to mimic a rainforest landscape. It’s home to pythons, bats, and an amazing range of bird species. 

Meanwhile, the terrific Temperate Territory is inhabited by snow leopards, red pandas, and snow monkeys.

Finally, the “Penguins and Sea Birds” contains a chilled penguin enclosure that is home to lots of different types of penguins, including the chinstrap penguin. 

Because it is so large, the Central Park Zoo is particularly popular among tourists. There are plenty of experiences and exhibits for you to get stuck into. 

This includes penguin and sea lion feeding sessions, which allow visitors to feed these magnificent animals. As a result, visitors can get up close and personal with the creatures.

There’s even an immersive 4-D theater experience, which allows you to go on an adventure from the comfort of your seat. 

2. Queens Zoo

Address: 53-51 111th St, Queens, NY 11368, United States

Nestled in the New York borough of Queens, this spectacular zoo has been open since 1968 In fact, this zoo is found on the site that was used for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Queens Zoo is home to over 75 species, many of which are native to America. As a result, this zoo can be considered a celebration of the unique species that live in this amazing country. 

Among the animals that are found in this zoo are the bald eagle, American alligator, puma, coyotes, bobwhite quail, and the Andean bear.

This zoo is particularly enjoyable for people who are visiting America, as it can help you to better understand the animals that live there.

Alongside these animals, the zoo also contains a charming farm that contains domestic animals, such as donkeys, sheep, and cows. So be sure to check this out if you intend to visit this zoo. 

Over the summer, Queens Zoo hosts exhilarating quests. These interactive challenges are ideal for kids. It helps them to better understand the wonderful wildlife of America.

Moreover, you can get involved with sea lion feeding sessions, thus allowing you to interact with these stunning yet clumsy animals.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance if you want to have a brilliant day at the Queen Zoo. 

3. Prospect Park Zoo

Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States

Prospect Park is a relaxing urban area in Brooklyn, New York City.

Featuring more than 800 animals and 170 species, there is plenty to see at Prospect Park Zoo. This zoo is incredibly popular, with a massive 300,000 attendees every year. 

The zoo is split into 3 themed areas. The first region is aptly named World of Animals places animals from throughout the world in exhibits that are meant to mimic their natural habitats.

This region is home to dingos, emus, and red pandas. As a result, you can experience a range of exotic animals. 

Up next, the Animals in our Lives exhibit is dedicated to the important relationship between humans and animals. This exhibit explores the ways in which animals and humans interact.

There is even an art station that encourages visitors to draw and observe this wonderful wildlife.

In the western portion of the zoo is the Animal Lifestyles area, which is dedicated to indoor habitats.

These habitats have controlled habitats that are tailored to certain animals. These habitats contain dwarf mongooses, meerkats, and Pallas’s cats.

Other astonishing animals found at this zoo include poison dart frogs, golden lion tamarin, and the black-tailed prairie dog. So make sure to take plenty of pictures of these rare specimens!

Prospect Park Zoo is great for keeping you entertained thanks to its numerous exhibitions. This includes a Discover Trail, an urban landscape that will make you feel as though you aren’t in the city.

There is also a barn and garden, where you can find friendly farm animals, namely sheep, pigs, and alpacas.

4. Bronx Zoo

Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10460, United States

Up next, Bronx Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in America. Every year, it is attended by millions of visitors. Located within Bronx Park, this zoo is worth visiting if you’re in the area.

Consisting of 265 acres, this zoo is truly massive.

There are two different varieties of exhibitions: free and premium.

As the name suggests, the free exhibits can be entered without fee with General Admission, while you will have to pay extra for the premium exhibits.

It can be difficult to know which membership is right for you, though it’s worth paying more money to get involved with more exhibits.

Because of the size of this large zoo, there are tons of different exhibits for you to explore. As a consequence, there is something here for every animal lover. 

This includes the Baboon Reserve, African Plains, Tiger Mountain, Birds of Prey, and the World of Reptiles. These are among the free attractions, so you won’t have to pay extra to see them.

If you are willing to pay a little extra for your admission, you will be permitted to enter the Butterfly Garden, Children’s Zoo, Wild Asia Monorail, plus 6 other premium attractions. 

The animals that can be spotted at this zoo consist of creatures like okapi, aardvark, the African painted dog, gelada, and fennec fox.

As the largest zoo in New York City, we highly recommend that you visit the Bronx Zoo!

5. Staten Island Zoo

Address: 614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310, United States

Lastly, this zoo is found in the West New Brighton area of Staten Island.

When it first opened in 1936, the Staten Island Zoo focused primarily on reptiles. Since then, the zoo has expanded into housing a wider range of animals.

Despite this, the zoo is still renowned for its immense range of rattlesnakes.

Among the other animals that are accommodated in Staten Island Zoo are bearded dragons, meerkats, capybaras, spider monkeys, and the red kangaroo. 

The zoo also offers multiple zoo programs, which are great for kids who want to learn more about wildlife. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Largest Zoo In New York City?

The Bronx Zoo is the largest in this city. It is often considered the biggest metropolitan zoo in America.

As a consequence, you are bound to have a lot of fun here, as there are loads of animals there and multiple exhibits. There is so much on display here that it’s difficult to conquer it all in one day!

What Is The Best Zoo In New York?

All of the aforementioned zoos are brilliant. Deciding which one is best is tough.

However, you can make your choice by considering which zoo is most convenient for you to visit and which zoo has the best animals on display. 

Closing Remarks

If you adore seeing rare animals, zoos are the perfect place for you. Thanks to its impressive zoos, New York City is a phenomenal place for animal lovers.

If you are planning a vacation to New York City, it’s worth visiting one of these amazon zoos. They’re sure to give you memories that you will cherish forever!

Alex Kallen
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