Bronx Zoo

The Basics

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.

Things to Know Before You Go

• 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.

How to Get There

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.

When to Get There

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.

Family-Friendly Zoo Activities

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.

What day is the Bronx Zoo free?

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.

Can you go to the Bronx Zoo without a reservation?

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.

How much is the Bronx Zoo per person?

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.

Is parking free for members of the Bronx Zoo?

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.

How long does it take to walk through the Bronx Zoo?

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.

Does it cost to park at the Bronx Zoo?

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.

Ways to explore

To visit, set aside enough time for transit to the central reaches of the Bronx and half a day or longer to explore the animal habitats and exhibits. All tickets must be reserved online ahead of visiting. Limited admission grants entry but restricted access to some areas (which can be paid for individually), while more expensive full-admission tickets offer unlimited access to attractions such as the Children’s Zoo and the Congo Gorilla Forest. Book convenient skip-the-line admission tickets with private transportation from Manhattan for a streamlined experience.

Accessibility

Most of the zoo is wheelchair accessible, with ramps at many exhibits. Zoo shuttles can accommodate standard wheelchairs, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow at the entrance gates.

Age limits

All ages are welcome. Visitors 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and children 2 and under enter for free.

What to pack

Bronx Zoo app with map, cash for feed dispensers at the Children’s Zoo, picnic food and blanket

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate attire, brimmed hat

Not allowed

Radios, speakers, feeding resident animals outside of the Children’s Zoo

Amenities

Picnic tables, the Dancing Crane Café, shuttle service

Address

The Bronx Zoo is in Bronx Park, in the central Bronx between Fordham Road and East 180th Street. You can reach the zoo by subway, bus, or car from Manhattan; the drive is about 30–45 minutes from Midtown.

Driving

From Midtown Manhattan, take the FDR Drive north to the Harlem River Drive, then cross the Harlem River via the Washington Bridge. Merge onto I-95/Cross Bronx Expressway, exit at East 177th Street, turn left, then bear right onto Devoe Avenue and follow signs to the zoo.

Public transportation

From Manhattan, take the BxM11 express bus from Madison Avenue (which makes nine stops between 29th and 99th Streets) directly to Gate B. Or take the 2 train to Pelham Parkway and walk to the Bronx River entrance. Metro-North and local buses also connect nearby.

Best times to visit

Visit around opening time for fewer crowds, or come at 3pm to watch sea lion feedings or 3:30pm for penguin feedings; note that the zoo now has flex pricing to encourage off-peak visits, so check the website for information.

Best days to visit

On Wednesdays, limited-admission tickets are free all day, but must be reserved in advance. Tickets become available at 5 PM on the Monday before each Free Wednesday.

Best months to visit

Visit in the spring from April to June for the most pleasant New York City weather. Though winter opening hours are reduced, the zoo is less busy and some animals are more active then.

Special events

In late spring or early summer, typically in June, the zoo hosts adults 21 and over for Brew at the Zoo, with food, drinks, music, and the chance to see the exhibits after regular closing hours.