New York City has 4 zoos operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Wildlife Conservation Society is a public charity committed to promoting conservation by teaching people about animals and their habitats. They also offer education programs for people of all ages.

Photo of a tiger at the Bronx Zoo © Guerretto

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States and receives 2 million visitors per year. Home to over 4,000 animals, many of them rare and endangered, the zoo is has been a New York landmark since it was opened in 1899.

Major exhibits include the African Plains, Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, Madagascar, and Tiger Mountain. Giraffes, tortoises, lions, porcupines, and red panda are some of the zoo’s most popular attractions.

The Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. And costs $15 for adult admission.

Bronx Zoo
http://www.bronxzoo.com/
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx Park, Bronx, New York 10460
(718) 220-5100
Directions: Take #2 or #5 subway to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square

Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo makes a great stop for visitors passing through New York’s most famous park. Opened in 1864, it was America’s second public zoo, after the Philadelphia Zoo.

Major exhibits include the Sea Lion Pool, Polar Circle, Temperate Territory, Children’s Zoo, and The Rainforest. Red pandas, two-toed sloths, California Sea Lions, Indian Peafowls, and Gentoo Penguins are some of the zoos most popular animals.

The Central Park Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and costs $8.00 for adult admission.

Central Park Zoo
http://www.centralparkzoo.com/
64th Street and Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10021
(212) 439-6500
Directions: Take the W, R, or N train to Fifth Avenue/59th Street station, or Lexington Ave #6 train to 68th Street/Hunter College.

Prospect Park Zoo

The Prospect Park Zoo is a small zoo in Brooklyn, New York. It first was opened in 1890, then reconstructed in the late 80’s and early 90’s at a cost of $37 million. Smaller than other zoos in New York City, Prospect Park zoo is a good place to enjoy animals without the having to deal with the crowds.

Major exhibits include Animal Lifestyles, Animals in Our Lives, Discovery Trail, Barn & Garden, and Sea Lion Court. Popular animals include Kangaroos, Pallas’s Cats, Baboons, and Tomato Frogs.

The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and costs $6.00 for adult admission.

Prospect Park Zoo
http://www.prospectparkzoo.com/
450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11225
(718) 399-7339
Directions: Take the Q or B train to Prospect Park Station. The local Franklin Avenue Shuttle (S) also goes to the station.

Queens Zoo

The Queens Zoo is a the second smallest New York zoo after Prospect Zoo. Built in 1968, the zoo is primarily home to animals from North America, including cougars, coyotes, bison, bears, owls, lynx, alligators, cranes, and bald eagles.

Major exhibits include the Aviary, Domestic Animals, Great Plains, Sea Lion Pool, South American Trail, Waterfowl Marsh, and Woodland Trail.

The Queens Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and adult admission costs $6.00.

Queens Zoo
http://www.queenszoo.com/
53-51 111th Street, Flushing, New York 11368
(718) 271-1500
Directions: Take the #7 train to 111th Street.