New York wildlife - most proper visits
New York City may be a jungle according to many, but animals can be found in its many zoos. If you want to visit one or more of the many zoos in New York City, I recommend purchasing a city pass that will allow you free entry to many of the zoos in the area. Note that some of the attractions within the zoo will cost extra, so expect to pay something for your day at the zoo (s), but anything you can save along the way will help and you will be surprised. how quickly you can recoup the cost of your pass.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the United States and is open 365 days a year. Those who have city passes can enjoy free entry to this zoo. Once you've filled up with the award-winning exhibits offered by the Bronx Zoo, you should visit the nearby New York Botanical Garden, offering great fun and plenty of activities for kids to avoid (this experience is another to you can enjoy at no additional charge with the New York Pass). Also nearby are Wave Hill, the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Van Cortlandt House Museum. All of these activities are free with the New York Pass and are ideal for family members of all ages.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo offers a view of the animals in their natural habitat rather than in cages. While this is increasingly becoming the norm when it comes to American zoos, the Central Park Zoo was a relative pioneer in this particular process. Today, the Central Park Zoo features an indoor rainforest; a refrigerated penguin house along with a pool for polar bears while simultaneously hosting breeding programs for certain endangered species. While you're there, be sure to grab lunch at the Leaping Frog Café, which offers kid-friendly food that's surprisingly health-oriented (like no-trans-fat fries). If your stroll through this 6.5-acre zoo wasn't enough exercise for your day, be sure to stop by the nearby Central Park bike rental area.
New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium, while not exactly a zoo, is another great place for the family to experience animal life. This is one of the highlights of many trips to New York. Young and old alike will enjoy watching marine animals play and have fun while learning important lessons about our marine friends. The aquarium is located on Coney Island and is close to the Astroland amusement park if you want to spend the day. The New York Aquarium offers free entry to New York Pass holders and Astroland also offers discounts for these holders.
Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo offers a unique experience for children to have interactive contact with more animals. This increased interaction makes the trip much more enjoyable for little ones than many larger zoos, which allow little interaction with animals or a very limited number of animals to interact with. The Prospect Park Zoo is home to more than 400 animals representing more than 80 species. This zoo is located near the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, all of which allow free entry for New York Pass holders.
Queens Zoo
The Queens Zoo offers a unique experience for visitors as it is less of a lake than a zoo and more of a prairie home for the animals it houses. This 12-acre park is home to 70 animals that live in very authentic habitats. If you choose to visit this particular zoo, be sure to take the time to visit the corral area so your little ones can feed some of the friendliest creatures. This zoo is located fairly close to the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Science Hall, and the American Museum of the Moving Image. All of these attractions are free with the New York Pass.
If you are a true animal lover, New York City has every opportunity to fill you up. Who would have thought that a city so full of skyscrapers and commerce was also home to some of the most beautiful and exotic wild animals in the world?
