Central Park Zoo – Location
As the name suggests, the Central Park Zoo is located inside the Central Park. It is at the heart of New York City, in Midtown Manhattan. It can be very easily reached using public transportation.
Its exact address is:
830 Fifth Ave (64th Street),
New York, NY
Central Park Zoo – Contact Details
- Phone: (212) 439 6500
- Website: www.centralparkzoo.com
About Central Park Zoo
California Sea Lion / Seal Feeding Show at the Central Park Zoo
You may be quite amazed to hear that Central Park’s zoo is considered to be the oldest municipal zoo of United States of America!These days, it has become the center of attraction of the Central Park.
A bear cub was the first animal with which exhibition of animal was started in Central Park.
In 1860, Central Park Zoo started its journey as ‘managerie’. In 1934, another zoo was built by Robert Moses, and the last and latest was built in 1988 when the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Now, the Central Park Zoo has land of over five acres. If you are a fan of the smaller animals and don’t have enough time in hand to explore a large zoo, then Central Park zoo is an ideal place for you to visit because it is special for displaying smaller animals and its small size.
Insider Tip: Although the Bronx Zoo has a much greater variety of animals on display, it is huge in size. Also, it is in the Bronx, which means it is not as convenient to visit.
Petting Zoo in Central Park – Tisch Children’s Zoo
So if you are traveling with kids, the Central Park Zoo would be an idea destination. It has a nice assortment of small animals & birds (sea lions, penguins, tropical birds, etc), plus some larger ones too (like the polar bear).
The petting zoo would be an added attraction for children, where they can even feed animals like goats and llamas! The admission to the petting zoo (Tisch Children’s Zoo) in included with your Central Park Zoo tickets!
What to See at Central Park Zoo
In Central Park Zoo, you can see more than one hundred and thirty species of animals and birds.
The main attractions of this zoo are its sea lions (often mistaken for seals) and penguins. If you are at the zoo at the right time, you can also see the sea lion feeding – it is quite an entertaining show!
Central Park Zoo – Tropical Rain Forest Zone
Designers of Central Park Zoo have ensured that the animals feel like they are living in their own natural habitat. That’s why, Central Park Zoo has different places for animals from different regions. Animals from the same region live together in one place – a place that is built to suit them.
Central Park Zoo has three different areas: the polar circle, the tropical rain forest and the temperate territory. Each of these zones has its own distinct animals.
Main attractions of the temperate territory are sea lions, red pandas, snow leopards, swans, geese, etc. The polar circle has the polar bear as its main attraction. It also has harbor seals, gentoo and penguins.
Birds are the main attraction of the tropic zone – rain forest. Tamarins, frogs, snakes, lemurs, toads etc. are also found in the rain forest.
Central Park Zoo Hours – Central Park Zoo Tickets (Old Rates)
Central Park Zoo Hours
- Winter Hours: 10.00 am to 4.30 pm daily
- Summer Hours: Monday-Friday: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Weekends & Holidays: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
How to reach Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is located near the Southeast corner of Central Park, and is easily accessible by mass transit.
If you must drive, please remember that no parking is available at the zoo itself.
Central Park Zoo Map – What to See and Where to See
By Train / Subway
- Take the N, R or W trains to Fifth Avenue / 59th Street subway station
- Take the 6 subway train to 68th Street / Hunter College subway stop
By Bus
You can take M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M30 or Q32 buses to Fifth Avenues. These have stops between 59th street and 64th street.
You can also take the hop-on hop-off buses to Central Park.
Central Park Zoo Tickets and Admission
The price for the regular admission tickets to the Central Park Zoo (includes entrance to the petting zoo at the Tisch Children’s Zoo) is as follows:
- Adult: $12.00
- Senior (65+): $9.00
- Children (3 – 12 years): $7.00
- Children (2 & under): Free
Penguins at the Central Park Zoo
The tickets to the 4D Theater at the Central Park Zoo are sold separately. The cost is $7.00 for ages 3 and above. Admission for kids aged 2 and under is free.
If you want, you can buy “Total Experience Tickets” and save money – these tickets include admission to the Central Park Zoo, the petting zoo at the Tisch Children’s Zoo and to the 4D theater.
Following are the ticket prices:
- Adult: $18.00
- Senior (65+): $15.00
- Children (3 – 12 years): $13.00
- Children (2 & under): Free
Other Tourist Attractions Near Central Park Zoo
- Central Park
- Rockefeller Center
- Empire State Building
- Madam Tussauds Wax Museum
- 5th Avenue Shopping District
- The Plaza Hotel
- Grand Central Terminal
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met)
Speak Your Mind