Top 10 Best Zoos In NYC

Here is a list of the Top 10 Best Zoos In NYC.

All of these zoos have a variety of wildlife and are home to some of the most endangered species of animals. In case you are visiting NYC for the first time, you should highly consider visiting a Zoo.

In no particular order, here is a list of the Top 10 Best Zoos in NYC.

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is among the Best Zoos in NYC. It has a Google Rating of 4.6 stars with over 35,000 reviews.

The Wildlife Conservation Society operates it and spans 265 acres. This makes it the largest zoo in the United States. It is also home to over 4000 animals and represents 650 species. What makes the Bronx Zoo the best zoo in NYC is the Wild Asia Monorail, a safari ride that transports tourists into the heart of the Asian Wilderness.

You can have a close-up view of many different animals along the way, including pandas, rhinos, wild horses, and tigers, to name a few. It also gives one an in-depth view of the lives of the western Lowland gorillas in their natural habitat.

Another thing that separates this zoo is its commitment to education and conservation. It also boasts many exhibits.  

The entrance fee to the Bronx Zoo is $26.95 for adults 13 and over, $24.95 for seniors 65 and over, $18.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2.

Point to Note: Bronx Zoo is the Biggest Zoo in NYC

The Bronx Zoo Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460

The Bronx Zoo Numbers: +1 718-220-5100

Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo has a Google rating of 4.4 stars with over 24,000 reviews.

Nestled in Manhattan’s Central Park, the Central Park Zoo packs a punch when it comes to offering an incomparable wildlife experience.  It spans 6.5 acres and offers a wide range of diverse species of animals in well-constructed habitats.

One of the features that makes it one of the Best Zoos in NYC is the penguin habitat, which allows visitors to experience these tuxedoed birds both above and below the water. It also boasts a leopard exhibit, allowing visitors to view the big cats up close. Other animals spotted in the Central Park Zoo include sea lions, colorful birds, reptiles, and primates.

This zoo also creates a beautiful escape from the daily hustle and bustle synonymous with big cities. For convenience, a zoo map is provided so visitors can use it to navigate the zoo and plan their routes throughout the establishment.

The entrance fee to the Central Park Zoo is $19.95 for adults 13 to 64 years, $16.95 for seniors 65 and over, $14.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2.

Central Park Zoo is one of the Best Zoos in NYC because it offers breathtaking views and it is home to more than 18,000 trees which provide clean air for visitors to inhale.

Central Park Zoo Address:  East 64th Street, 5th Avenue, New York City, NY 10021

Central Park Zoo Numbers: (212) 439-6500

Queens Zoo

The Queen’s Zoo has a Google rating of 4,5 stars with over 5,000 reviews.

The Wildlife Conservation Society also conserves the Queens Zoo and stands out due to its focus on North American Animals. It spans 18 acres and offers an intimate experience that differentiates it from other zoos.

One of the zoo’s highlights is its huge bison range, where visitors can see these typical American mammals roaming freely in an open prairie setting. Many birds, like the bald eagles, reside in its aviary, built like a geodesic dome to give a free-flight environment.

The Queens Zoo studies educational programs related to conserving North American ecosystems. It is an excellent resource for schools and families learning about the local wildlife. There is an outdoor petting zoo area much loved by children, offering hands-on opportunities to interact with the domesticated animals.

The entrance fee for the Queens Zoo is $9.95 for adults 12 to 64 years old, $7.95 for seniors 65 and over, $6.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2.

Queens Zoo Address: 53-51 111th St, Corona, NY 11368

Queens Zoo Numbers: +1 718-271-1500

Prospect Park Zoo

The Prospect Park Zoo has a Google Rating of 4.5 stars with over 3,000 reviews.

Prospect Park Zoo is among the Best Zoos in NYC because it of its quality of education and high levels of conservation, providing an opportunity for guests to learn about wildlife in an intimate setting.

The sea lion exhibit is a tourist favorite since these intelligent marine mammals can be observed during feeding demonstrations daily. The Australian Walkabout gives all an up-close encounter with wallabies and other animals native to Down Under.

What distinguishes the Prospect Park Zoo from the other zoos is hands-on learning. The zoo’s Discovery Center reveals interactive exhibits and educational programs that engage children. At the same time, the site’s buildings and grounds have been restored with great attention to the site’s original design, creating a picturesque setting that marries the zoo’s wildlife exhibits with its botanical beauty.

The entrance fee for the Prospect Park Zoo is $9.95 for adults who are 13 to 64 years, $7.95 for seniors who are 65 and over, $6.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2.

Prospect Park Zoo Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

Prospect Park Zoo Numbers: +1 718-399-7339

New York Aquarium

The New York Aquarium has a Google rating of 4.2 stars with over 17,000 reviews.

It is situated on Coney Island and has impressive marine life exhibitions and conservation efforts. The Ocean Wonders: Sharks! The exhibit holds over 115 species of marine life, including various shark species.

Other visitor favorites include Sea Cliffs, which boasts many sea otters and penguins, and the Conservation Hall, which features many fish and invertebrates. The aquarium has on-peak and off-peak times, and tickets are priced depending on the time one visits.

Off-peak, the entrance fee to the New York Aquarium is $29.95 for adults 13 to 64 years, $27.95 for seniors 65 and over, $25.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2. On-peak, the entrance fee to the New York Aquarium is $32.95 for adults 13 to 64 years, $29.95 for seniors 65 and over, $27.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and free for children below the age of 2.

New York Aquarium Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224

New York Aquarium Numbers: +1 718-265-3474

The Buffalo Zoo

The Buffalo Zoo has a Google rating of 4.3 stars with over 6,000 reviews.

The Buffalo Zoo is a premier wildlife institution in New York State, combining historical charm with modern exhibits and conservation efforts. Its Rainforest Falls exhibit and Arctic Edge exhibit educate visitors about climate change.

The botanical gardens add a layer of natural beauty to the wildlife experience. Some of the most notable wildlife that can be encountered are Asian elephants, Siberian tigers, and Spectacled bears.

The entrance fees to the zoo are $25.95 for adults 13 to 64 years old, $22.95 for seniors 65 and over, $19.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, free for members, and children below the age of 2.

Point to Note: Of all the Zoos In NYC, The Buffalo Zoo is the most visited. It welcomes almost welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors every year.

The Buffalo Zoo Address: 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214

The Buffalo Zoo Numbers: +1 716-837-3900

Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

This exhibit at the New York Aquarium has a Google rating of 4.7 stars with 650 reviews.

The aquarium is designed to immerse people deeply in the ocean, featuring model marine ecosystems spanning Hudson Canyon to the Great South Bay. Its centerpiece features a coral-reef tunnel walk-through with sharks and other sea animals like sand tiger sharks, Blacktip reef sharks, and Loggerhead Sea turtles.

Visitors are educated on the conservation of sharks and their varied functions within diverse marine ecosystems through interactive displays and multimedia presentations. The entrance fee to the Ocean Wonders is included in the admission fee to the New York Aquarium.

Ocean Wonders: Sharks! Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Ocean Wonders: Sharks! Phone Number: +1 718-265-3474

Long Island Aquarium

It has a Google rating of 4.4 stars with over 5,000 reviews.

The Long Island Aquarium offers an immersive experience with marine life. Some of the major attractions include the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit and one of the largest living coral displays in the entire Western Hemisphere. Touch tanks, sea lion shows, a Penguin Encounter, reptiles, birds, and many more—all that’s offered within this rich attraction for people of all ages.

Long Island Aquarium offers seasonal boat tours with an eye toward conservation and wildlife education for a fun and memorable experience.

The aquarium charges a fee for tickets, and they are priced at $27 per person for non-members. Members are eligible for a 10% discount and a 3.5% discount on cash payments.

Long Island Aquarium Address: 431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901

Long Island Aquarium Numbers: +1 631-208-9200

Jungle World

Jungle World, an exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, has a Google rating of 4.7 stars with 274 reviews.

Jungle World provides a taste of the tropics by displaying Asian rainforest biodiversity. Gibbons, tapirs, reptiles, and amphibians inhabit specially designed habitats on multilevels. Instructional displays are erected to help emphasize the importance of rainforest conservation.

Controlled temperature and humidity ensure an immersive experience. Jungle World allows this type of exploration into the complexity of these ecosystems at any time of the year.

The entrance fee to Jungle World is included in Bronx Zoo’s admission fees.

Jungle World Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460

Jungle World Numbers: +1 718-220-5100

 Children’s Zoo

 Children’s Zoo is located in the Bronx Zoo and has a rating of 4.7 stars and 398 reviews. It is among the Best Zoos in NYC because it allows children to have up-close encounters with animals such as prairie dogs, fennec foxes, and North American porcupines.

This seasonal attraction enables kids to interact with prairie dogs, porcupines, and fennec foxes. They are also allowed to pet and feed the animals in the farmyard.

The entrance fee to the Children’s Zoo is $7

Children’s Zoo Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460

Children’s Zoo Numbers: +1 718-220-5100

Frequently Asked Questions About Zoos in NYC

Q: What is the Largest Zoo in NYC?

A: The Bronx Zoo is the largest in NYC, as it sits on 265 acres of land and is home to more than 650 species of animals.

Q: What are the Most Famous Zoos in NYC?

   A: The Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the Buffalo Zoo are the most well-known.

Q: How Much Does it Cost to Visit a Zoo in New York?

  A: Most zoo prices range from $7 to $40, depending on the zoo and ticket type.

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