Absolutely! Here’s your complete guide to Central Park Zoo Tours — a small but magical wildlife experience tucked inside NYC’s iconic Central Park 🐧🌳🦁
🐾 Central Park Zoo Tours – Visitor Guide
📍 Where is the Central Park Zoo?
Located at the southeast corner of Central Park, near 5th Avenue and 64th Street
Closest subway stops:
🚇 5th Ave/59th St (N/R/W) or Lexington Ave/63rd St (F/Q)
🎟️ Central Park Zoo Tickets & Hours
- General Admission includes:
- Main Zoo (penguins, snow leopards, monkeys, red pandas)
- Tisch Children’s Zoo
- 4-D Theater (optional add-on)
💵 Prices:
- Adults: $19.95
- Seniors: $16.95
- Children (3–12): $14.95
- Under 3: Free
🎫 Buy tickets online: centralparkzoo.com
🕐 Zoo Hours (subject to seasonal changes):
- Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
🦜 Types of Tours & Experiences
1. General Admission Self-Guided Visit
- Wander at your own pace
- Explore the main exhibits and the children’s zoo
- Enjoy sea lion feedings & penguin feedings (check daily schedule)
💡 Perfect for families, couples, and relaxed visitors
2. Wild Encounters (Behind-the-Scenes Tours)
🎟️ Special experiences offered by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Includes:
- Private animal feedings or training sessions
- Meet-the-Keeper Q&A
- Up-close looks at penguins, snow leopards, or birds
💵 Premium pricing (~$150–$300 per group)
📅 Limited availability — reserve ahead!
3. Educational Tours & School Programs
🧑🏫 For schools, camps, and groups
Includes:
- Guided walk-through with a zoo educator
- Animal facts, conservation themes, and fun activities
📞 Book through the WCS group tour department
4. Virtual Zoo Tours
🖥️ Online sessions for classrooms or remote learners
- Live Q&A with zookeepers
- Animal cams & educational videos
🎯 Great for schools or homeschoolers
🧒 Tisch Children’s Zoo (Included with Admission)
- Farm animals you can feed (sheep, goats, pigs)
- Climbing structures and a spider web play area
- Interactive exhibits and hands-on fun for kids
🧠 Fun Facts
- One of the oldest zoos in the U.S. (founded in 1864)
- Featured in movies like Madagascar and The Penguin Who Loved Me
- Home to over 150 species, including endangered animals
- Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- Sea lion pool with city skyline backdrop
- Penguin House (glass viewing underwater)
- Tisch Zoo animal encounters
- Central Park skyline from the zoo gates
Want help planning a kid-friendly day that includes the zoo + Central Park playgrounds, a picnic, or nearby attractions like the carousel or Alice in Wonderland statue? I can map it all out for you 🗺️🐐🎠
Absolutely! Here’s a complete and easy-to-follow Central Park Zoo Tours FAQ — everything you need to know before visiting this wild little gem in the heart of Manhattan 🐧🌳🦁
🐾 Central Park Zoo Tours – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📍 1. Where is the Central Park Zoo located?
It’s in Central Park at the southeast corner, near 5th Avenue and East 64th Street.
🚇 Closest subway stops:
- 5th Ave/59th St (N/R/W)
- 63rd St/Lexington Ave (F/Q)
🕒 2. What are the zoo hours?
- Open daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Last entry is 30 minutes before closing
⏳ Hours may vary slightly by season, so check the official website for updates.
🎟️ 3. How much are tickets?
General Admission:
- Adults: $19.95
- Seniors (65+): $16.95
- Children (3–12): $14.95
- Kids under 3: Free
🎫 Tickets available at centralparkzoo.com
🧭 4. What does general admission include?
✅ Entry to:
- Main Zoo (penguins, snow leopards, monkeys, sea lions)
- Tisch Children’s Zoo
- Daily animal feedings
🚫 4-D Theater is an extra fee
🦁 5. Are guided tours available?
Yes! You can book:
- Wild Encounters (behind-the-scenes tours)
- School or group programs (led by zoo educators)
- Some experiences include up-close animal feedings and keeper Q&As
📅 Must be reserved in advance
🧑🏫 6. What are “Wild Encounters”?
Premium experiences that let you:
- Feed or meet animals (like penguins or birds of prey)
- Interact with zookeepers
- Get exclusive behind-the-scenes access
💵 Usually $150–$300+ per group
🧒 7. What’s in the Tisch Children’s Zoo?
Perfect for young kids!
- Farm animals: goats, sheep, pigs (some can be fed)
- Climbing structures
- Interactive exhibits and water features
- Included with any zoo ticket
🍔 8. Is food available inside the zoo?
Yes — there’s a small café and snack stands with drinks, sandwiches, and kid-friendly options.
🧺 You can also bring snacks and enjoy them in designated areas or head into Central Park for a picnic.
📷 9. Can I take photos?
Yes! Photography is welcome throughout the zoo.
📸 Popular spots:
- Sea lion pool (great city backdrop)
- Penguin enclosure (especially underwater viewing)
- Snow leopard viewing area
👨👩👧 10. Is the zoo good for families?
Absolutely!
- Fun for toddlers to tweens
- Stroller-friendly
- Interactive children’s zoo included
🎉 Great combo with Central Park carousel, playgrounds, or Alice in Wonderland statue nearby
♿ 11. Is the zoo wheelchair accessible?
Yes!
- All areas of the zoo are accessible
- Accessible restrooms available
- Wheelchairs available to borrow (first-come, first-served)
🧠 12. How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the zoo.
Plan more time if visiting with kids, doing an animal encounter, or exploring Central Park nearby.
Want help planning a full Central Park day including the zoo, a carriage ride, or nearby food and family activities? I can help build your perfect itinerary 🗺️🐾🍦
