Central Park Zoo

While many Central Park tours are available, from walking and running tours to sunset, bike, and pedicab tours, most do not include Central Park Zoo tickets and Central Park Zoo tours. You may, however, be able to glimpse the sea lions, whose enclosure can be seen from outside the zoo’s perimeter, during a broader tour of the park.

To enter the zoo, buy a general admission ticket at the entrance and explore the main zoo and the Tisch Children’s Zoo at your leisure. Alternatively, you can purchase a package ticket online before arriving so you don’t have to wait in line. This ticket offers discounted entry to the main zoo, the Tisch Children’s Zoo, and one entry to the zoo’s 4D Theater, which uses air blasts, lighting, water mists, vibrations, and other sensory tricks to enhance the experience.

• Central Park Zoo is a must for families.

• Leave scooters, bikes, rollerblades, selfie sticks, and balloons at home, as they are not allowed within the zoo.

• Wi-Fi is available at the zoo.

• Many of the zoo’s exhibits, including the penguin and sea lion habitats and the 4D Theater, are wheelchair-accessible.

• Located at the Central Park Zoo, the Dancing Crane Cafe serves meals, snacks, and beverages.

Traffic is intense, and parking is expensive in New York City, so it’s best to use public transit instead. The N, R, and Q trains all stop at Fifth Avenue–59th Street station, just a few blocks from the zoo entrance on 64th Street. The No. 6 train also stops at 68th Street–Hunter College station, which is about a 10-minute walk away.

Spring and summer weekends are the busiest time at the zoo. To experience the zoo with less crowds, plan a trip in the fall or winter. Time your visit to coincide with one of the twice-daily penguin feedings (10:30am and 2:30pm) and thrice-daily sea lion feedings (11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm) to see these animals when they are the most active.

While you’re in Central Park, consider taking some time to explore the rest of the 843-acre (341-hectare) space. Pay homage to the late, great John Lennon at Strawberry Fields—a memorial honoring the murdered musician—sunbathe on Sheep Meadow, and go boating on Central Park Lake. The park also hosts outdoor entertainment events during summer, from open-air concerts to Shakespeare in the Park.

Yes. Tickets must be purchased online in advance to schedule timed entry; Wildlife Conservation Society members must also make reservations online. All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds, cancellations, or rescheduling. Check the weather forecast before booking since there are no rain checks.

Your timed ticket indicates when you can enter the park. You can arrive within one hour of the entry time you selected. Once there, you can stay as long as you like. Based on the available exhibits and amenities, the zoo staff estimates that the average visit takes 1–1.5 hours.

Yes, you may bring your own food to enjoy at the seating areas around the zoo. Keep in mind that there aren’t a lot of eateries immediately outside the zoo, so plan accordingly. There are on-site food options, including a restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating and vendors located throughout. But remember: Do not feed the animals.

Yes, the Central Park Zoo may check your bags upon arrival. According to its website, the zoo can inspect packages, bags, and containers.

Scooters, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed in the zoo. Bikes can be locked up outside the entrance. Radios and speakers are also prohibited, as well as balloons. No pets, including comfort, emotional support, or therapy animals, are allowed; only working service animals are permitted, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Try to time your visit to coincide with one of the twice-daily penguin and thrice-daily sea lion feedings. Spring and summer weekends are generally the busiest, so expect to encounter crowds then. The fall and winter seasons are the calmest but also the coldest in terms of weather, although many animals are more active when temperatures cool down.