Central Park Zoo Tickets, Prices, Animals, What to See and Visitors Information
Located in the city’s heart, Central Zoo is a popular destination for animal lovers and families.
With over 100 species of animals worldwide, visitors can get up close and personal with exotic creatures such as lions, tigers, and bears.
The zoo offers a unique opportunity to learn about conservation efforts and the importance of preserving wildlife habitats.
In addition to animal exhibits, Central Zoo also hosts educational programs, hands-on activities, and special events throughout the year.
Whether you’re looking for a fun day out with the family or a chance to connect with nature, Central Zoo has something for everyone.
This article gives information about Central Park Zoo tickets, ticket prices, Zoo opening hours, how to reach the zoo, animals in the zoo and more.
| Best Central Park Zoo tickets # Central Park Zoo entry ticket # Central Park Zoo + Summit One Vanderbilt entry ticket # LEGOLAND New York and Central Park Zoo ticket |
Central Park Zoo tickets
All visitors must purchase a Central Park Zoo ticket to enjoy the Zoo.
You can get them at the zoo ticket counter or online.
Due to its immense popularity, the Central Park Zoo tickets are challenging to secure at the last moment in the zoo.
Hence, we suggest you buy your Central Park Zoo tickets online and in advance.
When purchasing your entry tickets online, you can save time from long ticket line queues, get cheaper tickets and enjoy uninterrupted access.
There are two types of tickets available for Central Park Zoo:
- Regular Central Park Zoo entry ticket
- Central Park Combo ticket
Central Park Zoo entry ticket
Central Park Zoo tickets offer you the right opportunity to visit all the zones of the Zoo.
With this ticket, you can enjoy uninterrupted access around the around.
This ticket includes entry to animal feeding, animal experiences and interactions, providing a full Central Park Zoo experience.
This Central Park Zoo ticket includes:
- Entrance to Central Park Zoo
- Access to Tisch Children’s Zoo
- One visit to the 4D theater
Central Park Ticket price
The Central Park tickets cost $20 for visitors above 13 years of age.
Children between 3 to 12 years enjoy discounted entry at $15.
Kids below 3 years do not require a ticket to the Central Park Zoo.
| Age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (13 to 99 years) | $20 |
| Child ticket (3 to 12 years) | $15 |
| Infant ticket (0 to 2 years) | Free |
Central Park Zoo and Summit One Vanderbilt bundle ticket
Summit One Vanderbilt and Central Park Bundle is one of the best combo tickets to explore the best landmarks of New York City.
This bundle lets you visit Central Park, Central Park Zoo, Summit One Vanderbilt and the American Museum of Natural History.
Summit One Vanderbilt is the latest and the tallest observatory deck in NYC from where you can view the city and beyond.
This is the best observatory deck to get aerial views of Central Park due to its close proximity.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the best museums in the city that can be visited with this ticket.
This Central Park Bundle includes:
- Entry to Central Park Zoo
- Admission to Summit One Vanderbilt
- Entry to the American Museum of Natural History
Ticket price
| Age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (13 to 59 years) | $83 |
| Child ticket (3 to 12 years) | $73 |
| Senior Citizen ticket (60 to 99 years) | $81 |
LEGOLAND New York and Central Park Zoo
This is the best combination ticket for Central Park Zoo if you visit with Kids.
With this Central Park Zoo ticket, you can talk a tour of the Central Park Zoo and also visit LEGOLAND, New York.
This combination offers discounted entry to both attractions.
This ticket includes:
- Entry to Central Park Zoo
- Entry to Children’s Zoo
- Access to the 4D theater
- Admission to LEGOLAND New York
Central Park Ticket price
| Age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (13 to 99 years) | $20 |
| Child ticket (3 to 12 years) | $15 |
| Infant ticket (0 to 2 years) | Free |
LEGOLAND New York ticket
| Age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (14 to 99 years) | $119 |
| Child ticket (3 to 13 years) | $84 |
| Infant ticket (0 to 2 years) | Free |
Central Park Zoo opening hours
The Central Park Zoo is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Weekdays and until 5.30 pm on weekends from April to November.
The Animal exhibits close at 4.30 pm on weekdays and 5 pm on weekends.
The opening hours change during the winter season.
The Central Park Zoo is open from 10 am to 4.30 pm from November 5 to March.
The Animal Exhibits closes at 4 pm every day.
The Last entry is 30 minutes before the park closes.
When is the best time to visit Central Zoo?
Central Park and the Central Park Zoo are popular spots among locals and tourists.
For the best experience, the best time to visit Central Park Zoo is right after the opening hours at 10 am.
Early in the day, you’ll likely see more animal activity while avoiding large crowds and long waits.
Wildlife may seek refuge in shaded locations as time passes and temperatures rise.
Early morning visits to the zoo let you cover all the zones and shows before midday.
More people visit the Central Park Zoo on weekends and public holidays instead of weekdays.
The number of people visiting Central Park Zoo is lower in the winter.
The zoo is home to various creatures adapted for chilly habitats, so it is worth seeing even during snowy weather.
How long does it take to visit Central Park Zoo?
If you’re coming with kids and want to see everything at the Central Park Zoo, allow two hours for your visit.
It is common for children to linger near their favorite animal enclosures for a longer period of time while attending feeding sessions and keeper talks.
Taking breaks often to snap photos or eat could prolong the journey.
If kept at a good pace while exploring the zoo as an adult, you can cover it within an hour.
How to get to Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo lies near the southeast corner of the Central Park.
Address: East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021. Get Directions.
Here are different ways of reaching the Central Park Zoo.
By Subway
Visitors to Central Park Zoo can take the N, R or W trains to Fifth Avenue/59th Street Station in Manhattan.
From there, walk north to 64th Street.
You can also take the Lexington Avenue Number 6 train to 68th Street/Hunter College Station.
From there, walk 3 blocks to the west and then four blocks on the left toward the south to reach the Central Park Zoo.
By Bus
Buses M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M66 and Q32 stop on the Fifth Avenue between the 59th and 65th Stop.
If you plan to drive to the Central Park Zoo, please note that no parking facility is available.
Central Park Zoo Map
Central Park Zoo, located in the heart of Manhattan, is spread across 6.5 acres of scenic landscape; this urban oasis offers a delightful escape into the world of wildlife.
To make the most of your visit to Central Park Zoo, it is essential to have a map handy.
The park is thoughtfully designed, ensuring visitors can easily find their way around.
The map highlights the various exhibits, including the Tropic Zone, Temperate Territory, and Polar Circle.
It also provides information on feeding sessions, shows, and other attractions, making it a valuable resource for planning your day at the zoo.
Central Park Zoo Animals
The zoo is home to an impressive collection of animals worldwide.
From exotic species to local favorites, visitors can find an incredible diversity of wildlife.
The Tropic Zone exhibit invites you to explore the vibrant rainforests, where you can encounter colorful birds, playful monkeys, and slithering reptiles.
In this zone, visitors can interact with frogs, lizards, snakes, parrots and more.
You’ll find adorable red pandas, graceful snow leopards, and fascinating Japanese macaques in the Temperate Territory.
This is also home to the visitor’s favorite Sea Lion Pool.
Further west, you will find yourself inside the Asian mountains in between snow leopards, red pandas and more.
The Polar Circle is a must-visit zone, where you can witness the majestic swimming of polar bears and the adorable waddling of penguins.
It is one of the most popular zones of the Central Park Zoo.
The Zoo also offers Grizzly Overlook and Tisch Children’s Zoo.
The Tisch Children’s Zoo houses farm animals like sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits and more for kids to interact with.
Kids can touch and feed the animals in this zone.
Access to all the parts of the zoo is included in the Central Park entry ticket.
Central Park Zoo Feeding
One of the highlights of visiting Central Park Zoo is the opportunity to witness animal feedings.
The zookeepers conduct informative feeding sessions, allowing visitors to learn about the animals’ diets and feeding habits.
These sessions provide an up-close and personal encounter with the wildlife, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for their natural behaviors.
It’s an educational and entertaining experience that both children and adults will enjoy.
Visitors can participate in Sea Lion feeding and Penguin feeding at Central Park Zoo.
Penguin feeding takes place daily at 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm.
Sea Lion feeding happens at 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm daily.
Central Park Zoo Exhibits
The exhibits at Central Park Zoo offer an engaging and educational experience.
Each exhibit is thoughtfully designed to replicate the animals’ natural habitat, ensuring their well-being and comfort.
As you stroll through the zoo, you’ll encounter informative signage, providing fascinating insights into the animals’ biology, behavior, and conservation efforts.
The exhibits at Central Park Zoo remind us of the importance of wildlife preservation and the need to protect our planet’s fragile ecosystems.
Visitors can get entry to all the exhibits with their Central Park Zoo entry ticket.
Central Park Zoo Experiences
Central Park Zoo goes beyond traditional exhibits, offering interactive experiences allowing visitors to get closer to the animals.
From up-close encounters with lemurs to feeding sessions with sea lions, these experiences provide a unique opportunity to engage with the wildlife personally.
The zoo also offers educational programs where visitors can participate in workshops and learn about conservation efforts firsthand.
These experiences are entertaining and instill a sense of responsibility in the next generation, inspiring them to protect and preserve our planet’s biodiversity.
Events at Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo hosts various events throughout the year, catering to visitors of all ages.
From seasonal celebrations like Halloween-themed activities to festive holidays, the zoo provides a calendar full of excitement.
These events often include special animal presentations, live performances, and interactive games, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience for the entire family.
The Bronx Zoo vs the Central Park Zoo: Which Zoo is Better?
New York City is home to two world-famous zoos – the Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo.
Both offer visitors the chance to see exotic animals, but each has distinct features and highlights.
The Bronx Zoo, located in the Bronx borough of NYC, is the biggest metropolitan zoo in the United States.
At 265 acres, it is home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species.
Some of its most popular exhibits include the Congo Gorilla Forest, a large rainforest environment for gorillas and other wildlife, and the Wild Asia habitat featuring tigers, elephants and more.
The Bronx Zoo is also known for its extensive reptile house and butterfly garden.
In contrast, the Central Park Zoo is a much smaller 6.5-acre zoo located, as its name indicates, right in the heart of Central Park in Manhattan.
As an urban zoo, it features animals native to New York, with popular exhibits like sea lions and penguins.
The Children’s Zoo allows for close-up encounters with sheep, cows and other domesticated animals.
While the Bronx Zoo’s immense size allows it to mimic natural habitats, the Central Park Zoo’s compact footprint makes it easily walkable.
Its location right in the city center makes it very convenient to visit.
In terms of ticket pricing and crowds, the Bronx Zoo is generally the pricier option at $34 per ticket.
As NYC’s most popular attraction outside of Manhattan, large crowds flock there, requiring more navigating.
Central Park Zoo tickets run $20 per person with smaller crowds.
So which zoo is better?
For those wanting to maximize animal and habitat viewing in a day, the Bronx Zoo offers more.
Families looking for a quicker, more affordable zoo experience are likely to prefer the Central Park Zoo.
Either way, both zoos give locals and tourists alike the chance to view wildlife from all over the globe without even needing to leave the Big Apple.
FAQs about Central Park Zoo, New York
1. Is the Central Park Zoo worth visiting?
The zoo offers a unique experience within Central Park, showcasing a variety of animals and providing educational programs.
It’s a great stop for families and animal enthusiasts.
2. What animals can you see at the Central Park Zoo?
Visitors can encounter a diverse range of animals, including snow leopards, sea lions, red pandas, penguins, monkeys, and many other species from different parts of the world.
3. Is there an entrance fee for the Central Park Zoo?
Yes, there’s an admission fee for entry to the zoo.
Pricing may vary based on age, and there might be special rates for children and seniors.
4. Can you bring food into the Central Park Zoo?
Outside food is generally not permitted inside the zoo.
However, there are designated areas for picnicking nearby within Central Park.
5. Are there any special shows or events at the Central Park Zoo?
The zoo often hosts educational shows, feeding sessions, and special events.
Checking the schedule in advance can help visitors plan their visit around these activities.
6. How big is the Central Park Zoo?
Central Park Zoo is relatively compact compared to larger zoos, covering around 6.5 acres.
Despite its size, it offers diverse habitats for its animal residents.
7. Is there parking available at the Central Park Zoo?
Parking is not available for Central Park Zoo.
Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation or nearby parking garages.
8. Are there any interactive experiences at the Central Park Zoo?
The zoo offers various interactive experiences, including feeding sessions and keeper talks, allowing visitors to learn more about the animals and their behaviors.
9. Does the Central Park Zoo have memberships available?
Yes, the zoo offers memberships that provide benefits like unlimited admission, discounts, and exclusive access to certain events.
10. Is the Central Park Zoo accessible for people with disabilities?
The zoo strives to be accessible to all visitors.
There are ramps, elevators, and other accommodations for guests with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive experience for everyone.
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