Central Park Zoo, NYC: Tickets and Info

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Central Park Zoo: Total Experience

Highlights

Explore a compact zoo featuring diverse wildlife within Central Park.

Visit the Tisch Children’s Zoo for interactive experiences.

Watch a show at the zoo’s 4-D Theater.

Discover animals from different habitats including the Polar Circle, Tropic Zone, and Temperate Territory.

Benefit from timed entry which helps to avoid overcrowding.

Central Park Zoo - Highlights in Pictures

Good to Know Before Visiting Central Park Zoo

Tickets are for a specific date. Book online ahead of time, since popular dates can sell out.

Re-entry is not allowed, so each ticket covers a single visit.

Visitors aged 17 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over.

Most visits last between one and one and a half hours.

Exhibits sometimes close at short notice because of weather or animal care needs.

Essential Visitor Info

Timings
Address & Directions
Facilities
Accessibility

Open every day from 10 AM.

The zoo closes at 4:30 PM from November to March.

From April to October, it closes at 5 PM on weekdays and 5:30 PM on weekends and federal holidays.

Last entry is an hour before closing.

About Central Park Zoo

Central Park Zoo is run by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which manages five wildlife parks in New York City, including the Bronx Zoo. Animals have been shown on this site since 1861, making it one of the oldest zoos in the country.

The grounds are split into three habitats. The Tropic Zone is an indoor rainforest where birds fly freely around visitors. The Temperate Territory is outdoors and home to red pandas and snow monkeys. The Polar Circle holds one of the largest colonies of Antarctic penguins in the country.

Area: About 7 acres

On This Site Since: 1861

Reopened: 1988, after a five-year rebuild

Major Habitats: 3 (Tropic Zone, Temperate Territory and Polar Circle)

Why Visit Central Park Zoo?

Three Climates in One Loop

You can go from a rainforest to an Antarctic penguin colony without leaving the zoo. The Tropic Zone, Temperate Territory and Polar Circle sit close together, so the whole route is easy on foot, even with small kids.

The Sea Lion Pool

California sea lions are the centerpiece of the Central Garden, with the Manhattan skyline behind them. You can watch them from above and below the water, and the feedings draw a crowd twice a day.

Snow Leopards

Snow leopards are among the zoo’s best-known residents, and WCS has a long record of protecting them in the wild. The exhibit is also one of the zoo’s touch exhibits.

Tisch Children’s Zoo

Kids can crawl, climb and jump their way through this part of the zoo and meet goats, sheep, Patagonian cavies and ducks. On some days they can help feed them too.

The 4-D Theater

The theater pairs a 3-D nature film with built-in sensory effects. It is indoors, which makes it a handy stop on a cold or rainy day.

Central Park Zoo - Additional Info

Dining
Souvenir Store

The Dancing Crane Café at East 64th Street serves hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating. Food stands around the zoo also sell drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Park Zoo

Who runs the Central Park Zoo?

The Wildlife Conservation Society, under a contract with the City of New York. WCS also runs the Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium.

How old is the zoo?

Animals have been shown on this site since 1861. The current zoo opened in 1988 after a five-year rebuild by WCS.

What animals can I see?

Highlights include snow leopards, California sea lions, red pandas, snow monkeys, grizzly bears, four species of penguins and ruffed lemurs in the Tropic Zone.

Is the zoo good for young children?

Yes. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is built for them, with goats, sheep and other animals, plus space to climb and play.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

It is the safest option. Tickets are date-specific and popular dates can sell out, so booking online ahead of time secures your visit.

Can I leave and come back the same day?

No. Re-entry is not allowed, so plan to see everything in one go.

Are there indoor exhibits for bad weather?

Yes. The Tropic Zone, the penguin building and the 4-D Theater are all indoors.