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Central Park Zoo

830 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY 10021 (Manhattan)
212 439 6500
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Ranked #161 of 718 attractions in New York City
Type: Zoos
Owner description: Oasis of wildlife in downtown Manhattan where visitors can encounter more than 1,400 animals in a variety of habitats, including a tropical rain... more » Owner description: Oasis of wildlife in downtown Manhattan where visitors can encounter more than 1,400 animals in a variety of habitats, including a tropical rain forest to view rare birds and icy Antarctica to view penguins and other chilly creatures. « less
Useful Information: Activities for young children
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501 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

we visited in the morning and strolled around. it was really great! well set out, it is only small so we only spent an hour to an hour and a half but it was just a really nice atmosphere. the animals all looked very well looked after, and there were some animals i have never seen before! the seals were... More

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See 19 more reviews by Parismeow for New York City
Pennsylvania
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW

Love this zoo! Packed with a great variety of unique animals. The seals were the stars! If you can go at the seal feeding time it is worth the price of admission. The penguin exhibit was also a must see. The tropic zone housed the most gorgeous birds. It is also a walk thru rainforest. You can also see snow... More

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See 3 more reviews by sleepingbeauty_10 for New York City
new york, ny
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW via mobile

This is a quaint zoo nestled in Central Park. I appreciate this zoo for what it is. I actually liked the layout of the zoo. Many of the exhibitions were spread out enough to make you explore the zoo but also small enough that it was t overwhelming for toddlers. Since this is a smaller zoo you will not see... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by strawbebi for New York City
Staten Island, New York
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

This place is small, expensive, and crowded. If that is what you are used to I guess its good. I've been to quite a few Zoo's and would rank this as the worst one. Definition of a tourist trap.

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See 6 more reviews by Brett E for New York City
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

We had a great time here. My daughter loved it especially the polar bear and penguins. When your walking round you forgot there was a huge bustling city on the other side. I had been told it wasn't that great so I was pleasantly surprised. Ideal for smaller kids as its A small zoo. Could do with better signposting but... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by Lizjasnat for New York City
Montreal, Canada
Top Contributor
90 reviews 90 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 36 cities Reviews in 36 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

considering the zoo is in the middle of manhattan, I guess it is pretty good, but comparatively speaking it ranks very low with dozens of zoos around the world. Every one of them that i have been to is much better than central park zoo. Still the staff were very friendly, the grounds were clean, though for example the windows... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by arnaldo for New York City
Chicago, IL
Top Contributor
123 reviews 123 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 33 cities Reviews in 33 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013 NEW

There's something very special about this zoo nestled among the giant buildings that you aren't even aware of most of the time. The landscaping is gorgeous and the displays are excellent. Highly recommend that you watch the sea lion feeding, which is actually more of a show. They are great entertainers. And if you are lucky like we were, you... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 62 more reviews by leslie06 for New York City
Berlin, Germany
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
31 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

This zoo so centrally and accessibly situated is ideal for casual entertaining Sunday and holidays strolls, specially with children. It is superbly organised and equipped alowing maximium safe exposute to many species and great entertainment for children from 3 to 89 yo The selection of animals will not inspire an ambitious zoologist, but is great to provide informative entertainment for... More

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See 7 more reviews by Geomeller for New York City
San Diego, California
Top Contributor
76 reviews 76 reviews
46 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

A very small zoo easily accessible to Manhattan. The entrance is a little hard to find as a docent told me that it was not an original part of Central Park. Its is nice for laid back stroll with the kids to burn off energy on an afternoon. Visiting from out of town, it was not really worth it. The... More

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See 8 more reviews by Joe T for New York City
Carnoustie, Scotland
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

We picked a lovely sunny day to visit zoo. Friendly staff take your photo on arrival and you have the opportunity to buy if you wish. Gorgeous big polar bear is the main attraction and although he was sleeping we got some lovely pictures. Penguins are fun as are the monkeys. Tropic house has some amazing birds. There is a... More

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See 3 more reviews by footydk for New York City

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