Zoos

Central Park Zoo

Name: Central Park Zoo
Address: New York, NY 10021, New York, NY, US
Telephone: (212) 439-6500
Rating: 4.4

★★★★☆ 4.4 (25852 reviews)

📍 New York, NY 10021

📞 (212) 439-6500

🌐 centralparkzoo.com

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5:30 PM
Sunday	10 AM–5:30 PM

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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. 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. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 25,852 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Red pandas, snow leopards, penguin and sea lion feedings
Membership: Yes, available
Hours: Opens 10:00 AM, closes 5:00 PM

💡 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
⭐Grizzly Bear exhibit (Treena's Overlook) offers a distinctive backdrop with views of the Manhattan city skyline visible behind the animal habitat, creating a surreal juxtaposition of nature and urban landscape

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐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.
💡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.
💬Check the zoo's real-time schedule before visiting to confirm all animal feeding times and keeper talk schedules. The zoo opens at 10:00 AM, making a weekday morning visit ideal for viewing active animals and avoiding crowds.
💡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.
💡Consider participating in special events like 'Make Tracks for Red Pandas' or 'Badge for Earth Day' to enhance the educational experience. These programs offer deeper engagement with conservation efforts and animal learning opportunities beyond standard exhibits.