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Location
Best time
Arrive by 2:00 PM to maximize your visit since last entry is 4:00 PM and the zoo closes at 5:00 PM. Plan for 2 hours to comfortably explore all exhibits without feeling rushed, as the compact size makes it manageable in a single visit.
Visitor tip
Don't miss the Sea Lion feeding show and the Tropic Zone exhibit. These are consistently highlighted as must-see attractions—the Tropic Zone especially offers an immersive rainforest experience that contrasts dramatically with the Manhattan setting.
Visitor tip
The zoo's compact size and well-maintained facilities make it stroller-friendly for families with young children. You can see popular animals like Red Pandas, Snow Leopards, Penguins, and Grizzly Bears up close without lengthy walking distances.
About Central Park Zoo
Small zoo with penguins & sea lions. Set within Central Park, this small zoo features penguins, sea lions, monkeys & a petting zoo.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Highlights
- Red pandas, snow leopards, penguin and sea lion feedings
- Membership
- Yes, available
- Hours
- Opens 10:00 AM, closes 5:00 PM
What visitors say
Central Park Zoo was a really fun stop while walking through the park. It’s not huge, which makes it easy and enjoyable to walk through without feeling rushed. They had penguins, monkeys, birds, snow leopards, and even red pandas, which…
An absolute gem in the heart of Manhattan! The Grizzly Bear exhibit (Treena’s Overlook) was a massive highlight,seeing such powerful animals with the city skyline in the background is surreal. They were so active, climbing the rocks and…
This charming and small zoo nestled within the park is a delightful place to visit. The diverse variety of animals is truly captivating, and my favorites include the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Sea Lions, Grizzly Bears, and Penguins. The…
From 25,852 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The Tropic Zone features a unique indoor rainforest environment with free-flying birds, lemurs, and monkeys, creating an immersive ecosystem experience that contrasts sharply with the surrounding Manhattan cityscape
- Central Park Zoo offers multiple daily feeding demonstrations including penguin feedings at 10:40 AM and 2:30 PM, and sea lion feedings at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM, providing interactive educational experiences
- The zoo's compact size within Central Park is intentionally designed to be easily walkable without feeling rushed, making it an accessible urban wildlife experience that attracts over 25,000 visitor reviews
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