Free Day Not Really Free
We were planning a trip to NYC and were happy to find out that there is free admission to the zoo on Wednesdays. We planned our trip around going on a Wednesday just to find out that it’s not really free on Wednesdays. They tell you at the booth all the stuff you won’t be able to see or participate in if you don’t pay the upcharge. Now, it is a heck of a lot cheaper than paying admission and then the upcharge for the extra activities, but we didn’t see anywhere on the website where this information was listed. The upcharge isn’t just for transportation and extra playgrounds, it’s also to be able to see some of the animals. We were there in April and a lot of the animals were still put away for the winter. I live in a cold place, and I’ve visited zoos in winter in other cold places and I’ve never seen so many animals put away. Some of the animals that weren’t on display are actually cold climate animals. It was a little weird. However, they have the right to manage it as they wish, so I can’t complain, just mentioning it to inform others that if you go in the winter, you won’t see as many animals as when you go in the summer. The zoo was well laid out and easy to navigate. We didn’t see everything and we were there about 6 hours. The kids had a great time. Our kids are big fans of The Zoo on The Discovery Channel, so it was especially fun for them to see some of the animals that were featured on the show.
Sea Lion Pool Penguin Pool And Sea Bird Aviary
Located in the center of the zoo, sea lions have a long history here because they were one of the first exhibits opened to the public in 1899. Be sure to check the schedule for the times when zookeepers feed these fun-loving and curious creatures. Feedings usually take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
At the Aquatic Bird House, you will see Magellanic and Little Penguins, the smallest penguin species in the world at just 13-inches tall and about three pounds as adults. Feeding time at Penguin Pool when the Magellanic Penguins come out and bob for fish is at 3:30 p.m. While in this area, dont miss the nearby Sea Bird Aviary that houses colorful flamingos, puffins and Inca terns.
Sea Lion Pool, Penguin Pool and the Sea Bird Aviary are included with general admission.
Be A Responsible Guest & Protect Yourself And Others
From social distancing behaviors to handwashing, we need all guests to continue to participate in proper healthy behaviors when visiting. Please remember:
- If you are sick, or have possible symptoms, please stay home and take time to recover.
- Distance responsibly! Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. Please be patient at animal exhibit areas and allow guests to move along before stepping forward or creating crowds. Pay attention to all zoo signs, as some pathways are now one-way.
- Wash your hands often. Restrooms for washing with soap and water are available across the park, and weve added hand sanitizer stations near exhibits and other gathering areas.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
- Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
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The Congo Gorilla Forest
One of the main attractions of the Bronx Zoo is the Congo Gorilla Forest. It is 6.5 acres and features more than 400 animal species. The setting of this exhibit is an African rainforest, which is also the backdrop for one of the largest breeding grounds in the world for lowland gorillas.
The exhibit details the need for rainforests and provides visitors with ideas for contributing to the preservation of rainforests everywhere. Throughout this exhibit, it is possible for the entire family to come up close with a gorilla. Featured animals include the western lowland gorilla, mandrill and okapi. Visitors are encouraged to use their five senses in order to detect animal presence, just as if they were on a true rainforest exploration.
Entrance to this exhibit is included with Total Experience and Zoos Plus membership. It costs $6 with a general admission ticket.
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Should You Book Bronx Zoo Tickets In Advance
Absolutely! Bronx Zoo tickets sell fast, so dont risk missing out by leaving it until the last minute. By making your reservation online in advance of your trip, you can compare prices and bag the best deals for your chosen date.
Skip-the-line tickets are also available, and a great idea if you dont fancy queueing to get in.
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Can I Visit The Bronx Zoo With A Sightseeing Pass
That’s right! With the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass the visit to the Bronx Zoo is included with the “Limited Admission” ticket.
In addition to seeing the park with this ticket you will have the chance to attend some very cool exhibits such as Sea Lion Pool, Tiger Mountain, Madagascar, World of Birds, African Plains, Reptile House and Himalayan Highlands, among others. However, to see other special attractions inside the zoo you may be required to pay an additional fee.
New York has several botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums, so if you love nature and animals, the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass will help you get the most out of this kind of activities as it includes the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the New York Botanical Garden, the Central Park Zoo, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium.
What Time Does The San Francisco Zoo Open
San Francisco Zoo Free Day. Spring/Summer Hours: 10 am to 5 pm Fall/Winter Hours: 10 am to 4 pm Great Highway, between Skyline and Sloat Boulevards, next to the Pacific Ocean.
When is the next free day at Denver Zoo?
The next free day at Denver Zoo is April 8, 2021! Of course, we cant invite everybody in all at onceso heres how to score your free tix and stay safe! How Our Lottery System Works Well be giving away blocks of ticket vouchers for select dates, to be released one at a time.
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The Butterfly Garden And Bug Carousel
The Butterfly Garden is home to more than 1,000 North American butterflies. The 5,000 square foot garden hideaway is just as gorgeous as the butterflies within. This beautiful garden provides butterflies with the necessities of life. This exhibit is open March 25 through October and is weather dependent. Just remember that butterflies take a winter break.
If you have children, don’t forget to visit the Bug Carousel while touring this area of the park. Children love to take a ride on a giant beetle as parents inspect and discover the nearby insects.
Entrance to both of these attractions is included with Total Experience and Zoos Plus memberships. With a general admission ticket, it is $6 each.
The Bronx Zoo Free On Wednesday
Is Bronx Zoo Open on Sunday?
Yes, Bronx Zoo Opens on Sunday too within the timings 10 AM 4:30 PM.
What is Bronx Zoo Winter Hours?
The Zoo Opens all year around other than a few public Holidays. During Spring and Summer, there will be a greater crowd and you can visit during Winter too. Whenever weather cools off animals are more active so you will get to see less crowd.
What is Bronx Zoo Summer Hours?
During Summer or Warmer Months, Bronx Zoo Opens longer than regular hours i.e. from 10 AM to 5 PM. In fact, during summer Zoo Closes by 5:30 PM on Weekends, Holidays.
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General Tips For Visiting
The Bronx Zoo is the largest city zoo in the country where you can see and learn about a vast array of animals. To enjoy your visit to the zoo, there are a few insider tips to keep in mind.
- The zoo is big. It covers 265 acres and houses more than 7,000 animals. If you plan on seeing all of them, wear very comfortable shoes.
- To save money and time from waiting in food lines, bring your own food from home. There are plenty of picnic tables where you can enjoy your lunch or a snack.
- Bring bottled water and look for water fountains, located throughout the park, to refill your bottle.
- Figure out what exhibits you want to see. It is not easy to navigate the entire zoo in just one day.
- Park in the lot closest to the exhibits that you want to visit.
- Check the website to see what times special events, lectures or tours are taking place on the day you are visiting.
- If you opt to go on a Wednesday when admission is by donation, go early. It gets very crowded, especially in the summer and fall months.
- Bring toilet paper, sometimes the bathrooms run out.
- To keep kids amused, make sure to bring plenty of snacks.
- The Bronx Zoo has several entrances. If you are meeting friends and family, decide on the entrance that will be your meeting point before setting out.
Tiger Mountain And African Plains
One of the most exhilarating exhibits at the Bronx Zoo is Tiger Mountain. Here, kids can come face-to-face with a tiger. The tiger exhibits are designed to mimic their natural habitats and the tigers are encouraged to maintain their natural tendencies, making for a very realistic glimpse into the life of these majestic creatures. The only separation between the tigers and guests is a glass partition, which allows visitors to see tigers up close. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the Malayan tiger cubs that are usually out in the morning.
Everyone loves big cats and the African Plains exhibit doesn’t disappoint. Here visitors will see majestic lions, African wild dogs and zebras. If you time your visit just right-mornings and late afternoon are best-you may see them play, drink water or nap in the shade. The best time of year to see this exhibit is from March 31 to November 3 when these animals are outside.
Tiger Mountain and African Plains are included with general admission.
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Exhibits Closed After The 1990s
World of Darkness
World of Darkness opened in 1969 and was the worlds first major exhibit designed specifically to introduce the public to nocturnal animals such as the Chinese leopard cat , bay duiker, Pallass long-tongued bat, spiny mouse, lesser mouse lemur, small spotted genet, lesser spear-nosed bats, spotted skunk, fat-tailed lemursJamaican fruit bat, Mohol bushbaby, cloud rat, Hoffmans two-toed sloth, rock cavy, pygmy slow loris, short-tailed bats, striped skunk, grey-legged night monkey, sand cat, Rodriguez flying fox, brush-tailed porcupine, broad-snouted caiman, sand boa and . Built by Morris Ketchum Jr. & Associates, the house was built where the zoos Rocking Stone Restaurant stood until 1942. The exhibit used red-lights to dimly illuminate the enclosures within the windowless building. Like all nocturnal exhibits, the house ran on a reversed lighting schedule, which simulated night and day at opposite times to allow visitors to view nocturnal animals in a more naturalistic setting. Due to budget cuts and the high cost of running the exhibit, it was closed in 2009.
Rare Animal Range
Skyfari
Monkey House
Some of the primates that were in the now-closed exhibit have been moved to other parts of the zoo, such as the cotton-top tamarins now being found in World of Birds others were sent to other New York City zoos, such as the sakis being moved to the Central Park Zoo. White-headed capuchins can still be seen in an outdoor cage behind the building.
4-D Theater
Wild Asia Monorail And Jungleworld
A ride on the monorail takes you into the heart of Asia and is an excellent way to get a good view of the animals in this exhibit. It is relaxing to sit in the shade of the monorail and look at the animals as you pass them. Tour guides are on this seasonal ride to point out the animals that you will see during the twenty-minute journey. Of special interest are red pandas, elephants and rhinos.
The monorail and Jungleworld cost $6 extra with a general admission ticket. They are free with a Total Experience ticket or Zoos Plus membership.
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Tickets & Admission Faqs
What is the ticket price?
Please note that prices are subject to change. Advance timed ticket reservations are required. Our all-inclusive ticket starts at $41.95 and $31.95 for April – Oct and $30.95 and $22.95 for Nov – March, and provides park entry plus unlimited access to the rides and attractions available on that day of visit *. Limited Admission tickets are for park entry only and are $26.95 and $18.95 And, as always, children 2 and under are always free!
*Some attractions are seasonal. Availability also subject to unforeseen conditions such as weather, capacity, safety, mechanical and/or animal related issues.
Can I buy tickets at the zoo?
All tickets must be purchased and Member reservations must be made online in advance. Do not come to the zoo if you do not have a timed ticket for entry. If you have difficulty completing your online reservation, please email us at . Due to high message volume, you may experience longer than usual wait times, and we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.
I didnt get an email with my tickets what do I do?
We are sorry for the difficulty. Please first check to confirm that the purchase was completed on your credit card. If the charge is in Pending status, that might mean that the transaction was not completed and there is no order made.
What is the difference between Limited Admission and Bronx Zoo Admission tickets?
How do I get a timed ticket if I already have a ticket that is not for a specific date?
How Long Does Bronx Zoo Take
If you are visiting with children, you may need four hours to explore the Bronx Zoo.
Children tend to linger longer around their favorite animal enclosures, attend feeding sessions, keeper talks and try out numerous experiences.
Families that break for lunch tend to take more time.
If you want, you can also turn it into a full-day outing because Bronx Zoo entry tickets dont have a time limit.
If you are in a hurry, you can walk past all exhibits and experiences in 90 minutes.
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Children’s Museums Zoos And Gardens With Free Times
The Bronx Zoo General admission is free on Wednesdays, but reservations are required. The Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 5pm on Mondays. Total Experience activities cost extra.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Winter Weekdays are pay-what-you can. Children 11 and under are always free.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum Amazon Free Hours on Thursday afternoons are from 2pm-5pm. Reservations should be booked in advance.
The Jewish Museum Saturday admission is free. Timed-entry reservations are required.
New York Aquarium Pay-what-you-wish Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to last entry, which varies by season. Reservations are required and the Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 3pm Monday.
New York Botanical Garden Free grounds admission for NYC residents all day Wednesdays. Book timed-entry tickets in advance.
New-York Historical Society Pay-what-you-wish Fridays from 6-8pm. Admission to the on-site DiMenna Children’s History Museum is included. Purchase timed-entry tickets in advance.
Queens Botanical Garden Free admission daily from November through March.
Staten Island Zoo Free on Wednesdays after 2pm. Timed-entry tickets are required.
Wave Hill Free on Thursdays from 10am-4:30pm. The garden also hosts special free arts events throughout the year. Check the calendar for more info.
Make a donation of your choice at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo by R. Mickens
Location Hours And Parking
Located at 2300 Southern Boulevard in Bronx, the zoo is open year-round with seasonal hours. From April to November, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Winter hours, which run from November to April, are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Martin Luther King Day.
All day car parking is $16. Preferred parking at Fountain Circle is available weekends only and is $23. Street parking is also available around the zoo.
To make getting around the park easier, single stroller rentals are $10, double stroller rentals are $15, wheelchairs are free with a $20 refundable deposit and electric convenience vehicles are $40 at the S. Blvd. entrance with a $100 refundable deposit. The Bronx Zoo also offers a free app that you can download to your mobile device to make navigating the park easier.
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