How to Visit Central Park Zoo

Central Park Zoo in New York City is home to more than 130 species. Visiting Central Park Zoo is fun for adults and kids, making it a great New York City attraction to visit as a family.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Plan to spend a day at Central Park Zoo. There are so many beautiful animals at Central Park Zoo that you will want to set aside a day for your visit, so that you are not rushed.

2. Check the opening hours of Central Park Zoo for the day that you want to visit. The current Central Park Zoo opening hours are: 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday and 10am-5:30pm, Saturday-Sunday. From November 1-April 3 the zoo closes at 4:30pm.

3. Find the exact location of Central Park Zoo. Central Park is huge so know exactly where the zoo is before setting out. Central Park Zoo can be found at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue.

4. Check out the times of special events at the zoo. You may want to watch the Harbor Seal Feeding, be there for the Migration Sensation event, play games during Chill Out or enjoy a Halloween themed day during Boo at the Zoo.

5. Check out the zoo rules. Central Park Zoo has a number of simple rules that visitors much follow to ensure their safety and the safety of the animals. Young children must be accompanied by an adult and you must not feed or through things into the animals enclosures.

6. Work out the cost of your Central Park Zoo visit. Prices for the zoo are $10 for adults, $5 for kids between 3-12 and $7 for those 65 and over. Children under the age of 3 get free entry.

7. Have lunch. Take a breather during your visit and enjoy lunch in the zoo's restaurant or bring a packed lunch to enjoy on one of the zoo's picnic tables.

8. Buy your tickets in advance. Central Park Zoo is popular so the line for tickets could be long on the day you visit. You can avoid this by visiting the Central Park Zoo website (link is found below in the resources section) and buying your ticket online.

9. Take a private guided tour if you have money to burn. A private guided tour of Central Park Zoo is expensive, $400 expensive, but if you don't mind spending the cash it is a great way to learn about all the animals in the zoo.

10. Don't miss some of Central Park Zoo's most popular residents. Some of the most popular animals at the zoo include polar bears, penguins, pandas, macaques, and sea lions. This summer rare snow leopards will be making Central Park Zoo their new home.

Tips & Warnings

• Book in advance
• Bring a packed lunch
• Give yourself a day to enjoy the zoo
• Keep an eye on children at all times
• Do not throw anything into the enclosures

Resources

• How to Visit Central Park
• How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
• Central Park Zoo, New York

[eclecticprof]

on 4/13/2009 We are heading to NYC this summer with kids. Thanks for the lead!