New York's Central Park Zoo Tickets

During your trip, you will find lots to see and do in New York, and visiting Central Park Zoo is undoubtedly one of them. It was the city's first zoo and opened in 1860 as a wildlife reserve. Today, it specialises in certain unique species such as grizzly bears, penguins, white leopards, monkeys, red pandas and sea lions.

To access the zoo, you need to purchase tickets in advance. Here are the different types of tickets available. You also have the option of getting admission to the zoo with a guided tour of New York. It couldn't be more complete!

The basic option

Central Park Zoo Tickets

Secure your advance ticket for the Central Park Zoo

You will visit one of New York's most exclusive zoos and discover unique species.

From €20 at Hellotickets

Imagine being able to see snow leopards, sea lions and red pandas in the heart of New York. Thanks to this small zoo located in the city's green lung, it's possible. With tickets to the Central Park Zoo, you can see how the penguins are fed and learn about the breeding programme for endangered species. All this for a very affordable price.

Unlimited general admission includes access to the main zoo, the Tisch Children's Zoo and a visit to the 4-D theatre. In other words, for only about £19, you have access to the entire zoo. And you'll get to see the animals up close!

Recommended if... you want to visit the Central Park Zoo in the easiest and most direct way possible and at the best price.

The most comprehensive option

NYC Central Park Zoo and NYC Sigtheseeing Walking Tour

Take advantage of a tour of New York City to also visit the Central Park Zoo.

In addition to a tour of the city's main tourist attractions, you can enjoy a wild experience at the Central Park Zoo.

From €69 at Hellotickets

With this option, you'll be purchasing a tour of New York that includes advance admission to the zoo for hassle-free access, as the Central Park Zoo requires all visitors to have tickets for specific dates and times in order to enter.

You'll be in the right place to enjoy a day out in Central Park, appreciating the wildlife that inhabits the heart of Manhattan. Not only will you have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of species, but you can also enjoy the most exclusive animal exhibits, watch the best shows, and visit the children's zoo.

Recommended if... you want to take advantage of a tour of New York that allows you to enjoy the complete experience that the Central Park Zoo has to offer.

We recommend purchasing the most comprehensive ticket, which includes unlimited access. In addition to admission to the main zoo, you will also have access to the Tisch Children's Zoo and the 4-D theatre. This option costs around €20

Please note that children under 3 years old can enter the zoo for free, and children aged 3 to 12 pay only around £15.

The fastest, safest and most convenient way to get your tickets to visit Central Park Zoo is to buy them online in advance. This way, you'll avoid queues at the ticket office, secure your access at your preferred time and be able to plan your day in Manhattan better, especially if you're travelling with your family or during peak season.

You can purchase your tickets for Central Park Zoo entirely online through official platforms such as Hellotickets. Just select the date and time slot you want to visit, and you'll receive your tickets directly in your email. No need to print anything: just show your digital ticket at the entrance and you're good to go!

With general admission to the Central Park Zoo, you'll enjoy a complete experience designed for all ages. Not only will you have access to the main zoo, but also to the children's area and a 4D film that makes the visit even more immersive and fun. It's the ideal plan if you're travelling with children or simply love nature and the animal world.

Here's everything included in tickets to the Central Park Zoo:

• Access to the main zoo, where you can see animals such as snow leopards, red pandas, penguins, monkeys and sea lions.
• Entrance to the Tisch Children's Zoo, an interactive area designed for little ones, with sheep, goats, ducks and even a cow (the only one in Manhattan!).
• A screening in the 4D theatre, a multi-sensory experience that allows you to learn more about many of the species housed in the zoo.
• You can watch feeding sessions for some animals, such as penguins and sea lions.

Plus, by booking online, you'll avoid queues and can choose the best time for your visit in advance.

If you want to discover the best of Manhattan and visit one of its most surprising corners, this tour is perfect for you. It is a complete experience in which a local guide accompanies you on a tour of some of New York's most iconic neighbourhoods and monuments, and also includes admission to Central Park Zoo, where you can explore on your own.

For around 5 or 6 hours, depending on the option you choose, you'll visit places such as Wall Street, Ground Zero, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Chinatown and Little Italy, among many others. All this on a walking tour accompanied by a guide who will tell you anecdotes, history and interesting facts about each place.

The experience ends in the green heart of Manhattan: Central Park. Here you can go straight into the zoo without queuing and enjoy a natural environment where more than 1,400 animals from all over the world live together. Sea lions, penguins, red pandas and snow leopards are just some of the species you can see.

There are two versions of this tour:

• Manhattan tour with visit to Central Park Zoo from €69 Includes guided tour of Manhattan + admission to the zoo with tour of the interior.
• Guided tour of Manhattan with admission to Central Park Zoo from €69 Includes a guided tour of the most notable neighbourhoods and admission to the zoo, which you can visit at your leisure after the tour.

Both options are ideal for those who have limited time and want to make the most of their day discovering the best of Manhattan and one of the attractions most loved by locals and tourists alike.

Currently , none of the valid passes (Go City All-Inclusive / Explorer, New York Pass, CityPASS, etc.) include the Central Park Zoo or the New York Aquarium; their wildlife catalogues are limited to the SEA LIFE Aquarium in New Jersey or the Staten Island Zoo.

Current alternatives

• WCS Membership

  The annual membership of the Wildlife Conservation Society gives unlimited access to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium; ideal for families planning to visit several venues.

• Individual tickets

  Purchase tickets online for each venue to ensure availability and avoid queues.

• Pay-what-you-wish days

  The Bronx Zoo (Wednesdays) and the Aquarium (Wednesdays from 3pm) offer free admission with advance booking.

The Central Park Zoo is located in one of the most accessible areas of Manhattan, near the southeast corner of the park, on 64th Street and Fifth Avenue. Getting there by public transport is the most practical and economical option:

• Subway: Take the N, R or W lines to the Fifth Avenue station (59th Street) and walk about four blocks. Alternatively, take the 6 line to the 68th St - Hunter College station, about a ten-minute walk from the zoo.
• Bus: Several lines stop very close to the zoo on Fifth Avenue, between 59th and 65th Streets: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M66 and Q32.
• Parking: The zoo does not have its own car park, but there are car parks nearby a few streets away. You can reserve a space using the SpotHero app.

Is it advisable to visit the Central Park Zoo with children?

The answer is definitely yes. The Central Park Zoo is a great plan for children and undoubtedly one of the best activities to do with them.

It is designed to be a great experience for both children and adults to learn more about exotic species and enjoy all the activities on offer.

Children will love the feeding and play sessions with penguins and sea lions, they will have a unique experience in the 4-D theatre and they can crawl, jump and climb in the Tisch Children's Zoo among sheep, goats and zebras.

New York is a very versatile city and has a wide variety of activities to do with children. Here is a guide with the best plans for exploring the city with children.

The Central Park Zoo is an ideal place to visit with the family. You can see species from all over the world, learn about their natural habitats and witness unique moments such as feeding times. These tickets to Central Park Zoo include access to the main grounds, the Tisch Children's Zoo and the 4D theatre. Here is a summary of the highlights of the tour:

• Polar Zone: Five different species of penguins await you in an exhibit set in the Arctic Circle.
• Tropical Zone: Lemurs, monkeys and exotic birds live together in a warm, humid jungle in the heart of Manhattan.
• Temperate Territory: Here you'll see red pandas, macaques and snow leopards in their recreated environment.
• Sea Lion Pool: In the heart of the zoo, sea lions swim and sunbathe in front of visitors.
• Tisch Children's Zoo: Goats, sheep, ducks and a Manhattan cow await the little ones, with interactive statues that emit animal sounds.
• Animal feeding: Penguins: every day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sea lions: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• 4D Theatre: A sensory experience that combines 3D cinema with special effects. Included in unlimited admission.
• Delacorte Musical Clock: Every half hour, musical animals come to life, setting the rhythm of the day with a variety of melodies.

If you are planning to visit the Central Park Zoo with your family and children, you will need around two hours to see everything and make the most of the experience.

Keep in mind that children will probably want to spend more time with their favourite animals, enjoy feeding time and interact and learn from the keepers.

It's different if you're planning to go without children, in which case you can explore the zoo in an hour if you keep a good pace and don't stop too often.

When planning your visit, keep in mind that you may take longer if you stop to take photos or eat something at the zoo.

You can visit this exotic zoo every day from 10 am. Closing times vary depending on the time of year: from April to October, it closes at 5 pm, and from November to March, it closes at 4:30 pm. On weekends and holidays, it closes at 5:30 pm.

Before visiting the Central Park Zoo, keep in mind that the last admission is one hour before closing time and that you can enjoy the animal exhibits until 30 minutes before closing.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when visiting the zoo so you don't miss a thing and can make the most of your experience at the Central Park Zoo.

• Don't forget to book your tickets online and in advance, as all visitors must have a ticket for a specific date and time.
• Keep the zoo map handy so you can find your way around and explore from one end to the other without missing a thing.
• Check the exhibition and animal feeding times before you go so you don't miss the best moments of your visit.
• Check before you go what's on at the 4-D Theatre during your visit.
• Remember that feeding the animals and throwing things at the exhibits is not allowed. Also, remember to always stay on the public walkways.
• You must keep the plants and trees in the zoo intact, avoiding touching, stepping on or damaging them in any way.
• You are allowed to bring food or snacks to eat there.
• Although there are water fountains at the zoo, I recommend bringing a bottle of water with you, as it never hurts to have extra.
• Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the time of year you plan to visit the zoo. Remember to protect yourself from extreme summer temperatures and freezing winters.
• Don't forget to wear appropriate footwear for walking around the zoo. Also, if you want to continue walking around Central Park afterwards, you won't want your feet to hurt.

I recommend that you read the Central Park Zoo rules carefully to avoid any problems during your visit.

When you visit this legendary zoo, I recommend stopping for a bite to eat and recharge your batteries at the Dancing Crane Café in Central Park Zoo.

This place is ideal for sitting down to rest your legs a little before continuing your tour.

Here you can enjoy a wide variety of snacks, meals, drinks and delicious desserts of the highest quality. You can accompany your coffee with a variety of fresh and healthy food options.

If you want to eat while strolling through the zoo without wasting too much time, you'll find food and drink vendors located throughout the zoo where you can buy a quick snack or something to drink. If you bring food from home, there are benches outside the Central Park Zoo that are ideal for picnics and resting.