Central Park Zoo
Zoo
Central Park, New York
Has a stamp of approval from The New Yorker and Time Out New York
"You can watch sea lions for free every day from behind the fence."(26 Tips)
"check out the grizzly bears, red pandas, snow leopards"(16 Tips)
"Loved seeing the snow leopard and the birds in the tropical section."(8 Tips)
"Prefer it to the Bronx Zoo and it's definitely better for kids."(7 Tips)
204 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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The Corcoran GroupAugust 8, 2013Be sure to buy tickets online beforehand so you can avoid waiting on a massive line on a nice summer day. We love to come here to watch the sea lions be fed.
ℳ𝒶𝓎♍July 27, 2018Smaller than your usual zoo but still very interesting with a fair number of animals. Forget about the movie "Madagascar", don't expect to see elephants, giraffes or lions, they won't be there!
The New YorkerAugust 6, 2012A peacock once escaped from the zoo and settled into the fifth-floor ledge of an Upper East Side building, capturing the attention of kids, cops, tourists, and Rupert Murdoch. Read more
Ricardo Daniel LOAugust 28, 2017It's small, so when you don't get to see a couple animals you get the feeling it's not very worthy. For us red pandas and snow leopard were nowhere to be seen. Penguins are awesome!
Diego RomeroFebruary 28, 2016Get online tickets to avoid lines. Don't miss the sea lions feeding times, the bears, monkeys and the awesome rain forest room full of birds. Great zoo!
RakanSeptember 4, 2019Definitely worth the visit with or without kids.. entry prices are acceptable, the zoo is well orginized and Overall, a great way to spend a couple of hours..enjoy 👍
Stephanie Nichols FordSeptember 22, 2017Central Park Zoo is manageable & tons of fun! Make sure to check out the penguins and remember that finding Betty & Veronica (the bears) can be tough on most days since they aren't super active.
Affinia Hotel CollectionJune 13, 2014Located in Central Park, the zoo is a great destination for kids and parents alike. The exotic animals are from all over the world and live in environments that reflect their natural habitats.
imbookinOctober 7, 2011Hold your event in the heart of Manhattan! Dine by the famous Central Park Penguins, or enjoy cocktails and hors d oeuvres as colorful birds fly overhead in the rainforest. Great for kids' parties!
NYC: The Official GuideJuly 1, 2013Little ones can feed and pet friendly live animals or play (and learn) in a variety of simulated animal eggs, shells and habitats. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the endangered red pandas!
ElizabethAugust 21, 2015Small zoo with so many amazing experiences. Sea lion feeding at 11:30 was thrilling. Kids all loved the Penguins.
- imbookinOctober 13, 2011A “tranquil oasis”, this Zoo gets our vote as the cutest. I can testify that it is an awesome place for kids, but it doesn’t stop at tots! What sane adult would turn down cocktails in the rainforest?
Be sure to check out the Arsenal, the castle-like structure in front of the Zoo. One of the only two buildings that pre-dates the park and has a gorgeous public art gallery on the 3rd floor.
Shaelyn AmaioApril 7, 2013The line for tickets is usually long and always slow-moving. You can buy your tickets on your phone (centralparkzoo.com/tickets) at a 10% discount and they'll scan your phone at the entrance gate.
TessAugust 15, 2021It wins at being located in iconic Central Park but it's nothing compared to Bronx Zoo or even Prospect Park Zoo. It really helps to have membership.
When the parrots are loose, you can actually touch/feed them (you're not supposed to)
Michael Fox-RabinovitzFebruary 29, 2016Small but concentrated oasis in the park, seal shows, cool beasts and pleasant feel
- Nina LoSchiavoJune 24, 2015Surprisingly interactive for a zoo in the heart of New York City. Prefer it to the Bronx Zoo and it's definitely better for kids.
Lucie KleckovaDecember 29, 2014It's small but very nice ZOO with the view of Manhattan landscape. Seal show starts at 11:30.
Alex RichardsJuly 30, 2015Do you like Seals (not the musician) Penguins and Puffins? Good because the Central Park Zoo has them, amongst other awesome things!
HISTORYMay 21, 2010The zoo was not part of the original design for Central Park but spontaneously evolved in 1859 from gifts of exotic pets and other animals informally given to the Park.
Matthew RechsApril 4, 2013Skip the shlocky overpriced "Zootique" (ugh) gift shop. Instead, check out the NYC Parks Department merchandise, sold through a nondescript ticket window inside the Arsenal administration building.
Zach RSeptember 22, 2015Beautiful but small zoo. $12 admission is less than a cocktail in NYC. The sea lion feeding show is excellent!
Benjamin HealyMarch 18, 2016Get membership with NYC ID. If you forgot your member card (like I did) you can still obtain a pass with ID at last ticket window on left.
Central ParkNovember 20, 2015We ❤️ the zoo in all seasons. Fun for kids of all ages. We have the 411 @centralpark.com
Elia ClementeApril 11, 2017The snow monkey's are ready to see. Most others may be finding. Don't bring a stroller since they are not allowed in buildings. Come mid week for less crowds
Marc MayerAugust 1, 2015Those elitist seals just love rubbing it in that they have a private pool in the middle of Central Park. Buncha jerks. Buncha really cute jerks.
Matthew LoonamOctober 22, 2012Bring a container for the petting zoo. The food dispensers for the animals only give you about five pellets at a time. Bring a container so you can get a good amount before going to feed.
Ryan RossAugust 6, 2014A fun few hours to burn here, but fairly small all the same. Feeding time for the seals is always a huge attraction.
julia tMay 29, 2015Petting zoo plus penguin house. In midtown. Dippin dots. Sea lion shows! Stroller accessible! This is a no brainer.
Kirk WoodDecember 31, 2018No lines visiting here in the winter. Most exhibits are inside so it's worth visiting here on a cold day.- Emily LSeptember 27, 2015tiny zoo, but plenty of cute animals to make it worth the $$. check out the grizzly bears, red pandas, snow leopards
Curtis ShoungJune 8, 2015It's super small as far as zoos go. You can walk through in 20 mins and see everything. Great for kids I imagine.
Aisling ElianaSeptember 7, 2014You'll Fall in love at first sight of the sea lions!!!! Go there first!!!!!!!!
angela gaylorMay 13, 2016I'm normally sad at zoos, but Central Park Zoo does a good job matching species with suitable surroundings. 4D movie was cute!
CompassApril 18, 2014The world-famous zoo attracts tourists and neighbors to the Wildlife Center, where animals roam in simulations of their habitats, instead of behind bars.
AngelaSeptember 17, 2013The book, "And Tango Makes Three," takes place here! Also, the zoo is sort of sad without Gus, but the red pandas make up for it.
Jenni DAugust 27, 2012Battery died but not before we got this pick at the Central Park Zoo. There weren't ant hippos, zebras, giraffes or lions but it was still fun!
Josh BerkowitzOctober 28, 2014Make sure you know when the sea lion feeding times are! Easily the best attraction at this zoo.
Blue Man City ManMarch 18, 2016A lot of animals that you can see. Personally, I like the seals, which are right in front!
DoraJuly 21, 2010Watch the sea lions get fed at 11:30am, 2pm and 4pm and penguins at 10:30am and 2:30pm. Then feed barnyard animals on your own at the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Powered by ParentsConnect.com
Katya PugachevaSeptember 12, 2014Red pandas! So adorable. And sea lions, of course. The place is nicer than you might think.
Bruno CardosoSeptember 29, 2015Bird area is the best! Although watching seals being fed is really fun as well.
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Just off 5th Ave, the Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo are home to over 130 species-- from Snow Leopards to Grizzly Bears to Tropical Birds.
Open until 5:30 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
(212) 439-6500
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Places inside Central Park Zoo
- 8.4
"Great for the 5 & under set. Awesome spider web to climb - typical set of farm animals to feed and pet."
Liesel Kipp - 8.6
"Come right before their feeding time for some cute tricks and high energy playfulness."
Sara Jordan - 7.3
"It’s a small but very nice zoo! Great layout and reasonable entry frees.."
Nicole Rovig
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- 9.5
"Great place to have lunch if you're working. They provide tables and chairs for you to relax and enjoy the space outside of your cubicle. During lunch time it can get pretty hectic though!"
Allison Kwan - 9.5
"This is a great place to hang out. The changing artwork in the main lawn is fun to see as well. It's a good place to go with a book and relax for a while, and often gets some light breezes through."
Kevin Rubin - 9.0
"Love the winter market here!! So many great crafty shops!"
Yee Lau
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