Bronx Zoo

For a firsthand look at biodiversity, head to the Bronx Zoo, where you’ll find more than 4,000 animals and plants spread across outdoor and indoor exhibits. Stroll through the butterfly garden, marvel at the big cats, pet goats and donkeys, or take a ride on the Wild Asia Monorail.

Spend the whole day at the zoo, or visit as part of a daylong adventure in the Bronx. Skip-the-line Bronx Zoo tickets will help save you time, and some Bronx Zoo tours include both date-specific tickets and transportation. Culinary tours in the Bronx’s Belmont area typically take you near the zoo, and highlight the neighborhood’s top eateries.The zoo is also just a short walk from Arthur Avenue, the heart of the Bronx’s Little Italy.

• The Bronx Zoo is a must for animal and nature enthusiasts of all ages.

• Download the zoo’s app to help plan your visit and access interactive maps of the park.

• General admission is free on Wednesday, and kids ages 2 and under always enter for free.

• There’s an on-site café, as well as several food stands.

The Bronx Zoo is located right on the Bronx River Parkway and is easily accessible by public transit. If you’re coming from Manhattan, you can take the number 2 subway train to Pelham Parkway station, or take the BxM11 express bus from Madison Avenue. Several city buses will also take youtube the zoo: The Bx9 and Bx19 stop at 183rd Street and Southern Boulevard, and the Bx12 and Bx22 go to Fordham Road and Southern Boulevard. Driving is also an option, but please note that the zoo’s parking lots fill quickly. To avoid being turned away, come early before the lot has reached the maximum number of spots available.

The zoo is open daily, but remains closed on many major holidays. As many of the exhibits and animal enclosures are outdoors, it’s best to visit in spring, summer, or fall. For fewer crowds, go on a weekday.

The Bronx Zoo’s educational programs help make learning about wildlife fun for all ages. To make the most of a family day out at the zoo, find a Quests leader and join a Quests adventure, with trivia, tours, and lab activities. Or, check out Nature Trek, where, for an additional fee, kids can crawl through tunnels and cross bridges in a treetop village. Sea lion and penguin feedings are also offered daily. Check the schedule for up-to-date information.

Limited admission to the Bronx Zoo—general entry without bonus rides and experiences—is free every Wednesday. However, these limited admission tickets, which are released on Mondays at 5pm, must be reserved in advance. Make sure to confirm your ticket reservation before heading to the zoo.

No, you cannot visit the Bronx Zoo without a reservation. Visitors must book all tickets—whether member entry or not—online to specific timed entry windows before arrival. The zoo denies admission to those arriving without reservations.

Bronx Zoo prices vary throughout the year. From April to October, all-inclusive adult tickets cost US$41.95, and tickets for kids 12 and under cost US$31.95. From November to March, the zoo discounts tickets to US$30.95 and US$22.95, respectively. Limited admission tickets granting only zoo entry are US$26.95 and US$18.95 year-round.

On weekends, the Bronx Zoo offers a Preferred Parking program at Fountain Circle, close to the entrance; general parking is US$27. Conservation Fellows and Partners enjoy free parking there, while Dual Premium, Family Premium, and Conservation Supporter members can park for free in one of the zoo’s other lots.

The Bronx Zoo has miles of walking trails and dozens of different exhibition areas—the zoo estimates that an average visit takes 2 to 2.5 hours. That said, there are no time limits on zoo visits, and you can stay as long as you like until it closes.

In most cases, parking at Bronx Zoo requires paying fees. The Preferred Parking area at Fountain Circle costs US$27 and is free for Conservation Fellows and Partners members. The zoo operates several other paid lots that all member grades can use for free.