Central Park Zoo Tickets

Central Park Zoo tickets can be purchased easily before you depart, saving you time and money. As the most famous and oldest zoo in New York, Central Park Zoo has been welcoming visitors since 1864. The zoo is not very big, but definitely has enough to offer for a nice morning or afternoon, especially if you are in New York with children. The zoo features various animal exhibits, a petting zoo and a 4D cinema. You can find the entrance located in the southeastern corner of Central Park, at the height of 64th Street.

Buy your Central Park Zoo tickets here

Central Park Zoo Tickets

To visit the zoo, purchase your tickets online in advance, as all visitors must have a date-specific ticket upon arrival. You can enter the zoo within one hour after your chosen entry time, and once inside, you can stay as long as you like.

Your Central Park Zoo ticket grants unlimited access to all animal exhibits. With the Central Park Zoo Total Experience, you will also receive one entry to the 4D theatre. Tickets for children under 13 years old have a discounted admission fee, and children under 3 years old can visit the Central Park Zoo for free without a ticket.

Animals at Central Park Zoo

Central Park Zoo has a variety of exotic animals, including snow leopards, grizzly bears, red pandas, snow monkeys and sea lions. The park is also home to a number of different breeds of penguin including the king penguin. The daily feedings of the penguins and sea lions are accessible to the public and are very nice to see! Don’t forget to take a walk through Tropic Zone, a replica tropical rainforest. Various exotic birds live here, but also lemurs, bats and snakes.

Alongside seeing all the animals, you can also go to the zoo to see a 4D film. This is a 3D film with extra sensory effects, like wind and water, a whole experience! (but maybe a little scary for the very young). So if you’re wondering what to do in New York with kids, then Central Park Zoo should definitely be on your list! The largest section of the zoo is accessible for prams, buggies and wheelchairs.

The Petting Zoo

Just past the main entrance to the zoo is a petting zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo. The entrance fee is included in the admission tickets for Central Park Zoo. Here children can stroke the animals and, for a small donation, feed them. You won’t find any leopards or grizzly bears here, but smaller animals like sheep, goats and pigs. There is also a very special attraction here: the only cow in Manhattan!

Practical information

• Location: in the southeast part of Central Park
• Opening hours:
  • 3 November 2024 – 4 April 2025:
    • Daily: 10:00 to 16:30
  • 5 April – 1 November 2025:
    • Mon – Fri: 10:00 to 17:00
    • Weekends & holidays: 10:00 to 17:30
• Children under 3 visit for free
• Central Park Zoo tickets also include entrance to Tisch Children’s Zoo
• The Hop on Hop off bus stops here

Buy your Central Park Zoo tickets here

Central Park Zoo tickets are included in the Sightseeing Flex Pass