The Bronx Zoo is a zoo inside Bronx Park in Bronx, New York. The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United States by area and has over 2.15 million visitors each year. It is home to 843 animals in 22 exhibits. Since its establishment in 1899, animal conservation has been an important part of the zoo. The American Bison Society which was founded in 11905 was able to reintroduce the American bison into the wild. Today, we will look at the various things to do when visiting the Bronx Zoo.
Things to See at Bronx Zoo
World of Birds – The World of Birds is open all year round and was established in 1972, covering over 30,000 square feet. Some ramps lead you to a large gathering of birds, from jungles and deserts. This is easily one of the biggest exhibits inside the zoo. Do not miss the chance to go to the second floor where you will find birds with no glass.
Mouse House – This is open all year round as well. Somber lighting will allow you to observe these animals when they are most active. Make sure you are quiet as it will allow you to see animals such as kusu rats and giant elephant shrews.
Butterfly Garden – If you have never seen a butterfly metamorphosis before, this will be a great mystery revealed to you. Here you will run into many varieties of butterflies fluttering through the greenhouse. Along with these, there is also a koi pond with butterfly koi, a rare type.
Sea Lion Pool – Brought into the zoo in 1899, these have been a favorite among visitors and locals alike. These sea lions are very popular and noisy at the same time. During these few years, the zoo has partnered up with many wildlife agencies to provide a home for these rescued sea lions. They also provide mental and physical stimulation to keep healthy natural behaviors.
Carter Giraffe Building – You can get close and personal with the giraffes at the Carter Giraffe Building. These giraffes can eat up to 20 hours a day and sleep only about 20 minutes at night. They are in a state of constant alertness. Other than these awesome giants, other African species share the same habitat with the giraffes including dwarf mongoose.
Aquatic Bird House & Sea Bird Aviary – You do not want to miss the Sea Bird Aviary as you can witness 40 inca terns flying over the Aviary’s cliffs and pools. There are also flamingos, fisher Spoonbills, and penguins. Keep a reminder that the indoor exhibits can start to smell a bit.
JungleWorld – You can watch and see cute Monkeys at the JungleWorld. Here you will find East Javan langurs grooming each other atop branches. There are many orange species here as well. JungleWorld also houses rare tropical birds such as storks, waldraps, and fruit bats.
Madagascar – If you have seen the hit Hollywood movie ‘Madagascar’, you will be able to recognize lemurs, mongooses, fossas, frogs, radiated tortoises, and various birds that are home here at the Bronx Zoo. All these species co-exist with each other here just like in the wild. The highlight of this exhibit is the Nile crocodile whose pool contains 17,000 gallons of water and has glass panels that allow you to see them above and below the waterline.
Himalayan Highlands – The Himalayan Highlands display wildlife that is native to the mountains and grasslands region of Central Asia such as red pandas, cranes, and snow leopards. Spotting a snow leopard is very rare in the wild as most of them spend their time hidden in the rocky hills.
African Plains – These African Plains have lions, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, and wild dogs. Most of the animals here are placed according to their geography and their most natural habitats.
Getting there
The address for the Bronx Zoo is 2300 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx. The nearest subway stations that service the area are:
- West Farms Square/E Tremont (#2)
- E 180 Street (#2)
- Pelham Parkway Station (#2)
- E Fordham Road/Southern Boulevard (E)
Take train 2 or 3 to Marble Hill – 225 if you live on the Upper West Side and then transfer to West Farms bound Bx9 bus and stop at Southern Boulevard/E 183 Street then. It is a minute’s walk from the zoo. This trip takes about an hour and 30 minutes to get there. If you wish to take an Uber, it will cost you around $50 to get there and will take you about an hour.
The zoo usually experiences a high volume of vehicles, and the parking lot seems to fill quickly. If this happens, it is recommended that you take the nearby location that is Fordham University.
Admission and Hours
The regular admission at the Bronx Zoo is currently $41.95 for adults, $31.95 for children, and free for children under 3. The zoo is open all year round and the hours vary depending on the season. It opens at 10 am from April through November and closes at 5 pm on weekdays and 5.30 on weekends and holidays. Remember that the animal exhibits all close 30 minutes earlier. For the remainder of the year, the zoo opens at 10 am and closes at 4.30 pm.
Food
Dancing Crane Cafe – This is the main restaurant of Bronx Zoo and is open all year round. It serves hot and cold dishes along with beverages and is 17,500 square feet. There is an indoor as well as outdoor seating area available which overlooks a natural marsh. There are also boxed lunches available here. It opens at 10 am and closes along with the zoo. It is located close to the Zoo Center and opposite the Bronx Zoo store.
Other Seasonal Cafes and Stands – Some cafes and stands are open weather permitting. Some of these are: – The Patio located near Children’s Zoo, Pecking Order at Northern Ponds, Asia Plaza near JungleWorld, Zoo Bites near Tiger Mountain, and Somba Village near the Baboon Reserve.
Stay
Rodeway Inn Bronx Zoo – It has many amenities including free breakfast, WI-FI, and a fitness center for some extra charges. It will cost you $200 a night to stay there on average. The address is 3070-72 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467.
Hotel Ninety-Five Fordham/St. Barnabas Hospital – It has free WI-FI and averages $170 a night to stay there. The check-in time is 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am. The address for the hotel is 4387 3rd Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457.
Opera House Hotel – Amenities included are free breakfast and free WI-FI. It averages around $200 a night to stay. The address is 436 E 149th Street, NY 10455.
Tips
- Take at least 5 hours out of your day to experience the entire zoo. There are reserved tickets available online and if you’re a member make sure you bring a valid ID, tickets, and your member card for entry.
- Make sure you bring a water bottle along with you to keep yourself always hydrated as you will have to do a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- The animal exhibits close at 4 pm and you won’t be able to see any after that. Therefore, you should try to come early to experience all the exhibits for yourself.
