Central Park Zoo with kids

This is a compact zoo and that is its strength. Sea lions in the central pool, penguins, snow leopards, red pandas and bears are all within a few minutes of each other, so nobody has to be carried. The Tisch Children's Zoo is part of the visit.

Indoor and outdoorCalm paceAnimalsFood on siteBook ahead

Central Park, East 64th StreetSubway N/R/W to 5 Av/59 St

Tickets

$16.95per child (3-12)

Adults $22.95 · free under 3

See tickets on Civitatis

Central Park Zoo Tickets

Tickets are sold by Civitatis, the only ticket partner on this page.

Official site

Best time

At 10 am opening. From 1 November it closes at 4:30 pm, with last entry one hour before.

Open in Google Maps

More in New York

American Museum of Natural History Central Park Bronx Zoo New York Aquarium

The family card

Family card

Minimum ageNo minimumNo minimum. 2 and under enter free

Enjoys from1 year

Duration1h – 2h

StrollerStroller in partFine on the outdoor paths. You park it yourself outside the indoor exhibits.

Child priceFree 2 and under · $16.95 (3-12) · $22.95 adult · $18.95 senior. Limited admission from $9.95 child, $15.95 adult

Toilets and changingToilets on siteThere is a restroom inside the zoo. Baby-changing tables are not confirmed on the official pages.

QueueShort queuesDate-specific tickets bought online are recommended to guarantee entry.

☀

Best timeAt 10 am opening. From 1 November it closes at 4:30 pm, with last entry one hour before.

Verdict by age

Not a general rating. How each age band actually experiences it.

0-2

Great

3-5

Great

6-10

Fine

11+

Skip

Ideal for ages 1 to 5: short distances, animals close up, done in ninety minutes. Six-to-tens enjoy it but will ask why you did not go to the Bronx. Skip it with teenagers.

An hour or two covers it. The indoor exhibits have narrow, dark paths, so the zoo asks you to park the stroller yourself before going in. Tickets are for a set date and re-entry is not allowed. Next to the Bronx Zoo it is tiny and not much cheaper, so choose this one for under-fives and for days when you are in the park anyway.

Tips for the visit

Until 31 October it is open 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and to 5:30 pm on weekends and holidays.
Re-entry is not permitted, so eat first or plan to eat inside.
Bring a carrier for a baby. The indoor exhibits are where strollers have to wait.

Sources

Facts checked on Oct 5, 2026 against these pages: