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 the 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 on the east 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, inaugurated in 1861.
In 1988 it reopened its doors to raise awareness about the conservation and preservation of animal life.
In addition to being home to different species, the zoo has interactive areas such as the Tisch Zoo, where children can pet and feed goats, sheep, some ducks and a cow.
Schedules
Zoo hours change seasonally. In summer, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday; on weekends and holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
2. Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is among the top 10 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. On the African plains are lions, in the Himalayan highlands are leopards, while mighty gorillas roam the Congo forest. In total, there are more than 6,000 animals with spaces that are a replica of their natural habitats.
This menagerie first opened its doors in 1816 and since then has been dedicated to the care and preservation of endangered species.
In the Madagascar area you can see lemurs, crocodiles and boas, among others; There are also interactive activities where children can feed and live 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 do the treetop obstacle course at the Treetop Adventure. An adventure that children aged 7 and up can enjoy.
There’s also an insect-themed carousel, a 4D theater, the butterfly farm, and a long list of attractions and activities you can enjoy.
Schedules
Open every day except December 25, January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and Martin Luther King Day, from 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 marine passage through which you can walk on the bottom of the sea and at the same time admire reefs, colorful fish, turtles and impressive 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 renovation of the aquarium due to the scourge of 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 major attraction is the sea lion show in the aquatheater.
In the Glovers Reef a replica of the daily marine life is exhibited with colorful and numerous species of fish and other forms of life.
Schedules
The aquarium is open every day from November 3 to April 3 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.
The New York Aquarium is on Coney Island, in the emblematic neighborhood of Brooklyn.
4. Queens Zoo
Zoo in the Flushing Meadows Park in the Queens neighborhood, with more than 7 hectares of land that house the most representative species of America.
The space where the World’s Fairs were held saw it 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 New York Zoological Society, the Queens Zoo also carries out 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.
5. Staten Island Zoo
In the Staten Island neighborhood 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 an attraction on Groundhog Day, 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 young children as the animals are distributed by geographical area, thus, in the African area they will be able to observe lemurs and meerkats; in the tropical jungle you can see monkeys climbing trees and exotic frogs and colorful birds; Children love the Kids Corral 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 get to know the huge exhibition of reptiles.
This zoo makes efforts for the conservation of animals, which is why it has a thematic 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.
6. Prospect Park Zoo
Zoo in the Children’s Corner of Prospect Park with almost 5 hectares of space, which houses 400 animals of 150 species such as the pallas cat, emus, baboons and peacocks.
On the Discovery Trail you will be able to see red pandas napping, prairie dogs, birds and dingoes, all in spaces very similar to their natural habitats.
In the Animal Hall you can admire the exotic poison dart frogs and the Vietnamese mossy frog; In addition, as part of the New York Wildlife Conservation Society, it was the first zoo to breed big-headed tortoises in China.
Attractions
You can’t miss the sea lion show, the aviary, the carousel with 53 hand-carved animal figures or the spider web where the little ones can show off their skills as climbers.
In the “Garden Farm” you can buy feed for the cows, Cotswold sheep, julienne 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. The 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 submarine simulator rides, seal encounter, sea lion show, shark diving (inside a cage), selfies with penguins, sleepovers with fish, insect encounter, Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and the largest exhibit of living 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.
8. Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Around 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 in 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 observe meerkats, lemurs, apes, monkeys and the endangered Amur leopard.
There are also elephants with their baby elephants playing in the Asian Reserve, as well as many other animals found in the Wild Trail.
Schedules
This park is open every day from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm It is at 1 Conservation Pl, Syracuse, NY 13204.
Madagascar movie zoo
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
Although admission is free at the Bronx Zoo on Wednesdays, not all attractions are accessible.
Bronx zoo price
The admission prices for the Bronx Zoo are:
- Adults over 65 years: $22.95.
- Adults: $24.95.
- Children from 3 to 12 years: $16.95.
- Children under 2 years old enter free.
