Visiting the Central Park zoo has a way of bringing out the inner-child in all of us, which is why we visit frequently with out-of-town guests. Even after 10+ visits, we still enjoying popping in. My husband could watch the sea lions endlessly (and does).
In this article I’ll share my personal list of the best things to see at the Central Park Zoo to help you make the most of your visit. Let’s dive in!
Tips for Visiting the Central Park Zoo
Time your visit: Plan your visit around feeding times (penguins get fed at 10:30am and 2:30pm, sea lions at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm) to see the animals when they’re most active. The zoo publishes a daily feeding schedule, which removes the guesswork completely!
Bring a stroller: If you worry your kids might tire while visiting the Central Park Zoo, bring a stroller. The zoo has ramps at nearly every exhibit, making it wheelchair & stroller accessible. Just know the zoo gets very crowded, but if you’re comfortable maneuvering a stroller in busy places then you should be totally fine!
Best Things to See at the Central Park Zoo
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Animals to See at the Central Park Zoo (Table of Contents)
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Tisch Children’s Zoo
Anyone visiting the Central Park Zoo with kids will be thrilled to discover the Tisch Children’s Zoo, a small area that caters specifically to small kids. This interactive zone offers a petting zoo for goats and sheep, a small climbing area and a great variety of waterfowl.
Situated at the north end of the zoo, entry is included with general admission, I enjoy this small area as much as the actual zoo, so I highly recommend swinging by before (or after) visiting the Central Park Zoo.
The 4D Theater at the Zoo
Central Park Zoo’s 4D Theater offers immersive 3D movies with exciting sensory effects (like wind and mist). The typically follows an animal learning about other animals and their habitats, giving kids an engaging way of connecting to the animals they’ll be seeing at the Central Park Zoo.
General admission includes one showing at the 4D Theater. The theater is excellent for ages 6+, but I wouldn’t recommended it for children under four due to the effects, but up to you!
Admission to the Central Park Zoo
General admission to the Central Park Zoo is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors, $14.95 for children, and free for toddlers under 3. You’ll get access to the main zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo and one show at the 4D Theater.
Limited admission tickets are also available, this ticket includes admission to the Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children’s Zoo, but NOT the 4-D Theater. All tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific date and time, all sales final.
What to See at the Central Park Zoo
Table of Contents: Things to Do at the Central Park Zoo
Red Pandas
Enclosure: Temperate Territory
Open: Year Round
The Central Park Zoo hosts a pair of adorable red pandas native to the eastern Himalayas. Solitary and almost always sprawled out on a tree, make sure to look up toward the top of the tree if you’re not seeing them at eye level.
Contrary to popular belief, red pandas aren’t closely related to giant pandas. In fact, red pandas are more closely related to racoons, weasels and skunks. These pandas are endangered in the wild, but fortunately the zoo is participating in a breeding program to help restore the population.
Snow Leopards
Enclosure: Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopard Exhibit
Open: Year Round
The Central Park Zoo is home to three sibling snow leopards, magnificent and elusive cats native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. The three resident leopards arrived from the Bronx Zoo in 2009 and their exhibit was the zoo’s first addition in more than 20 years.
Admired for their beautiful fur and impressive agility, snow leopards are vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching. Scientists estimate that there are less than 7,000 left in the wild. Seeing them up close while visiting the Central Park Zoo is a very special experience because they’re quite active!
Ruffed Lemur
Enclosure: Tropic Zone: The Rainforest
Open: Year Round
The Central Park Zoo is home to a family of seven black-and-white ruffed lemurs, including a father and two sets of triplets (fun fact: a group of lemurs is called a “conspiracy”). Characterized by their distinctive tufted ears and colorful patterns, these Madagascar natives are known for their loud vocal cords.
While visiting the Central Park Zoo’s Tropic Zone, they’ll likely be napping in their enclosure (they’re most active in the mornings and afternoons). But, if you’re lucky, you can catch them in action climbing around or playing.
Banded Mongoose
Enclosure: Tropic Zone (The Rainforest)
Open: Year Round
Banded mongooses are a fascinating sight while visiting the Central Park Zoo with kids. Native to Africa, these small carnivores live in social groups called troops and are not shy about roughhousing with each other (which children often find amusing). They have distinctive banded markings across their bodies and are smaller than a cat, which gives them an extra-cute look.
Mountain Coati
Enclosure: Tropic Zone (The Rainforest)
Open: Year Round
The mountain coatis at the Central Park Zoo like a mix between an anteater and a raccoon, and come from the Andean regions of South America. The three male coatis are known for their long snouts, playful antics, and acrobatic climbing skills. They forage food with their tails held high, making them easy to spot while visiting the Central Park Zoo.
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Enclosure: Tropic Zone: The Rainforest
Open: Year Round
One of the most interesting animals to see at the Central Park Zoo has to be the Victoria Crowned Pigeon. These beautiful birds are the largest pigeons in the world and have stunning blue-grey feathers, a white-tipped lacy crest, and a captivating (albeit a little creepy) red iris.
They’re not shy, overly eager to strut around the enclosed Tropic Zone exhibit showing off their impressive colors. These birds are also known for their unusual deep, whooping calls, so keep an ear out (you never know if you’ll get lucky!).
California Sea Lions
Enclosure: Central Garden & Sea Lion Pool
Open: Year Round
A Central Park Zoo staple since opening in the 1860s, California sea lions are a lively bunch. The zoo is home to several sea lions that delight crowds with playful barks and impressive underwater maneuvers.
Daily feedings are held at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm and offer a close-up look at these charismatic animals, captivating children visiting the Central Park Zoo. Fun fact: One of the seals famously escaped the enclosure in September 2023, but was later returned.
Cotton-Top Tamarins
Enclosure: Tropic Zone: The Rainforest
Open: Year Round
The Central Park Zoo has a family of Cotton-Top Tamarins. The tiny monkeys have impressive white mane-like fur, making them look like they just woke up from a disorienting nap. These vocal primates chirp, whistle, and even gossip with quiet whispers.
Seeing their antics up close is one of the best things to do at the Central Park Zoo! Their adorable size (they weigh less than a pound) and lively personalities make them a must-see,, especially for little kids.
Tufted Puffins
Enclosure: Polar Circle
Open: Year Round
Approximately 15 Tufted Puffins arrived at the Central Park Zoo in the mid-2000s. They enchant guests with vibrant yellow headgear during spring and summer (which they later shed). Despite their clumsy demeanor on land, they are very graceful underwater, using acrobatics to hunt for fish, ensuring year-round entertainment for visitors.
Grizzly Bears
Enclosure: Grizzly Bear & Treena’s Overlook
Open: Year Round
The Central Park Zoo’s grizzly bears are a heartwarming rescue story. Amber, Luna (sisters), and Treena were orphaned as cubs in Montana and were brought to the Bronx Zoo in 2013. In 2022, the three bears were relocated to the Central Park Zoo, where you can see them today.
Grizzly Bears are the largest land predators in North America, they can grow as big as 1,000 pounds and stand 8 feet tall! Gawk at their massive size while visiting the Central Park Zoo, and if you’re lucky, they’ll be climbing, swimming, or wrestling.
Facts About the Central Park Zoo
- The Central Park Zoo was chartered in 1864, making it the second-oldest publicly owned zoo in the country. It originally opened as a menagerie, showcasing exotic animals that were informally “gifted” to the park.
- Black Diamond the Buffalo (American Bison) lived at the Central Park Zoo. He’s rumored to be the buffalo modeled on the nickel and 1901 Ten Dollar Bill.
- The Central Park Zoo covers 6.5 acres, using less than 1% of the land in Central Park (842 acres).
- The Zoo is home to more than 130 animal species.
- Many movies were filmed at the zoo, including Maid in Manhattan (2002), Hitch (2005), Definitely, Maybe (2008), and The Switch (2010).
- The 2005 movie Madagascar follows the story four animals that escape from the Central Park Zoo and end up stranded on the island of Madagascar, where they try to adapt to their new surroundings.
FAQ: Visiting the Central Park Zoo
The time spent visiting the Central Park Zoo can vary depending on individual interests. Visitors typically spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the exhibits and enjoying the attractions.
General admission for adults to the Central Park Zoo is around $20. Kids under 3 are free, and there are limited-entry tickets offered at a discount.
I recommend the Bronx Zoo to NYC locals because the zoo is huge (265 acres compared to the Central Park Zoo’s 6.5) and has more animals. However, the Bronx Zoo is an hour from Midtown Manhattan, which isn’t worth it for most first-time tourists. The Central Park Zoo’s central and iconic location makes squeezing into a limited NYC vacation much easier. But ultimately, the choice is yours!
The Central Park Zoo is renowned for its diverse array of animal species and unique location at the heart of Central Park, making it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.
The Central Park Zoo offers dining options such as the Dancing Crane Café, which provides a variety of food and beverage choices for visitors to enjoy during their visit.
The Central Park Zoo features a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs, toys, apparel, and other animal-themed merch. The gift shop is accessible without admission to the zoo, allowing visitors who don’t have time to explore the Central Park Zoo an opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
Visiting the Central Park Zoo (Post Summary)
- Red Pandas
- Snow Leopards
- Ruffed Lemur
- Banded Mongoose
- Mountain Coati
- Victoria Crowned Pigeon
- California Sea Lions
- Tamarins
- Tufted Puffins
- Grizzly Bears
- The Tisch Children’s Zoo
- 4D Theater
Where is the Central Park Zoo? (Map)
I hope you enjoyed this all-encompassing guide to visiting the Central Park Zoo! Enjoy yourselves at the zoo, until next time.
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