The 9 Best Zoos and Aquariums in New York City
Where to find the animals in the Big Apple
Did you know that New York City is home to plenty of zoos and aquariums? If not, then you're in for a treat, as several of these wildlife preservation organizations around New York are some of the best in the world. From the famous Bronx Zoo to the New York Aquarium, visitors of all ages will love exploring these attractions.Aquariums in New York City
New York is home to several fantastic aquariums. While the large New York Aquarium is the most popular, a few other smaller aquariums can be found in the city, too. These include the Cold Spring Harbor aquarium and the Long Island Aquarium, as well as the New Jersey Sea Life Aquarium. All of the aquariums in New York are fun for the whole family, with interactive exhibits and marine life you can touch. More details on these amazing portals into the undersea world are below.New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium first opened in Castle Garden in Battery Park, but it's been located on the boardwalk in Coney Island since 1957. It's been operational since 1896, making it the oldest continually running aquarium in the US. The aquarium offers interesting exhibits and educational experiences including a shark tunnel that guests of all ages can enjoy. They offer free admission on Wednesday afternoons, but charge admission fees all other times.
NYC, New York, 11224
New York City has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: Things to Do in Staten Island and Street Markets & Flea Markets in New York City.
New Jersey Sea Life Aquarium
Located just over the river on the New Jersey side, this aquarium is very close to New York and Manhattan in particular. And it's worth the trip, because here you'll find a huge array of fish and aquatic species to gaze upon and learn about. They have sharks, seahorses, clownfish, stingrays, and more. The entire aquarium has a New York City theme to it, which adds to the fun. And one of the best and most popular exhibits is the tunnel that takes you under the massive tank so you can look up at the fish as they swim above you.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
Formerly Atlantis Marine World, the Long Island Aquarium opened in 2000 in Riverhead. It's home to a 20,000-gallon coral reef tank, which is one of the largest all-living coral displays in North America. Visitors can also see a huge shark tank, penguins, sea lions, a boat ride, and more. There's more than 100 exhibits in total which makes for a great day for the entire family.
431 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York, 11901
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Located on Long Island near Huntington, this aquarium's goal is to educate the public about the waters of New York in order to help the freshwater ecosystem. Surprisingly, it has the biggest collection of New York state's reptiles, fish, and amphibians. It's run by a non-profit, and admission is very affordable. You can feed the fish and browse both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724
Zoos in New York City
Bronx Zoo
Jungleworld Road, Lambert Houses, NYC, New York, 10460
Queens Zoo
This 18-acre zoo in Flushing Meadows is home to a huge collection of animal exhibits that the whole family will enjoy. Don't miss the sea lions, bison, bald eagles, and other animals from the Americas. The farm animal section is a popular favorite with the little kids, too.
Corona, NYC, New York
New York City has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: The Best Museums in Brooklyn, New York and Best Places To Enjoy A Picnic In New York City.
Prospect Park Zoo
This 12-acre zoo located on the east side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn is home to a variety of primates, amphibians, farm animals, birds, and more. The shetland sheep are a popular favorite, as are the numerous colorful frogs and other amphibians in the hall of animals exhibit. It's fun for the whole family!
450 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Heights, NYC, New York, 11225
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small, 6.5 acre zoo that has three different habitats. The Tropic Zone, the Temperate Territory, and the Polar Circle offer visitors a chance to see animals from each unique biome. There are Antarctic penguins, a children's area with farm animals, and a sea lion pool, among other things.
830 5th Avenue, NYC, New York, 83
Barrett Park Staten Island Zoo
This suburban zoo is located in West New Brighton on Staten Island. It's a small, 8 acre zoo that has reptiles, spider monkeys, donkeys, foxes, cows, and more. It's also the home of the famed Staten Island Chuck, a groundhog who predicts the Groundhog Day forecast yearly for New York City. Admission is normally $10, but it's free on Wednesday afternoons.
614 Broadway, West New Brighton, NYC, New York, 10310
How much does it cost to go to the zoo in New York City?
Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $20 to $139. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $70. A few of the best options are below.
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If you're looking for more information about New York City, read Educational Places and Activities in New York City.
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