Zoos & Gardens for NYC Kids

New York City is loaded with destination-worthy zoos and botanical gardens with year-round fun for kids. Check out these New York zoos, like Central Park Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Aquarium.

Giraffes at the Bronx Zoo. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher for WCS
Spotlight Zoos & Gardens
It's always exciting to see the sea lion feeding at Central Park Zoo! Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/WCS
The Best Zoos and Aquariums in NYC
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
The Bronx Zoo is full of amazing animals and surprises await around every bend of its sprawling grounds.
See Bronx Zoo Like a Local: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Wave hello to Bruiser, the talented sea lion and star of the Aquatheater show at the New York Aquarium.
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Visiting the New York Aquarium With Kids: Top Things To Do and See
The Central Park Zoo sea lions never disappoint. Photo by Jody Mercier
Central Park Zoo with Kids: Best Things To See and Do at the Zoo
The sea lion enclosure is one of the first exhibits you'll see! Photo by Julie Larsen Maher for WCS
Prospect Park Zoo: Best Things to Do at the Brooklyn Zoo

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The sea lion enclosure is one of the first exhibits you'll see! Photo by Julie Larsen Maher for WCS
Prospect Park Zoo: Best Things to Do at the Brooklyn Zoo
An Andean bear cub gets his bearings on a branch. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/courtesy of WCS
Queens Zoo: Full of Surprises for Little and Big Kids
The Central Park Zoo sea lions never disappoint. Photo by Jody Mercier
Central Park Zoo with Kids: Best Things To See and Do at the Zoo
Wave Hill with Kids: Nature-Inspired Family Fun in Riverdale
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden Is Worth The Trip
The medieval museum gardens at The Met Cloisters are lovely.
Visiting the Met Cloisters with Kids: Best of NYC's Medieval Museum
Extra Fun
History roars to life at the American Museum of Natural History and kids under age 2 can see it for free. Photo by Marley White/courtesy AMNH
What Ages Get in Free to NYC Museums, Zoos, Amusement Parks
Bring your sleeping bag and join the New York Aquarium after hours to explore the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit in Sharks After Dark. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher.
Museum Sleepovers in NYC
The High Line, with its wide pathways and beautiful plantings, is a great place to get away from the buzz of the city streets. Photo by Liz Ligon
Visit the High Line With Kids: Top Things To Do
Test your comfort zone on the zip line at the Bronx Zoo's Treetop Adventure.
Adventure Parks, Ropes Courses, and Zip Lines near NYC
NYC Kids Can Frolic with Dogs at This New Upper East Side Spot
NYC Cat Cafes: Kids Can Visit, Adopt, and Pet Furry Felines
Regional Destinations
Meet Minnie, the lovable chinchilla who shares whisker kisses at The Art Farm on the Upper East Side. Photo by Jody Mercier
Find an Amazing Petting Zoo near NYC Where Kids Can Meet the Animals
Sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks patrol Poseidon’s waters.
Visiting the Long Island Aquarium With Kids: What to Know Before You Go
Grounds for Sculpture: A Hidden Gem in New Jersey
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Storm King's towering pieces beg visitors to draw closer. Photo courtesy of @jenterratravels
Visiting Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley with Kids: What You Need to Know
Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids

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The NYBG Holiday Train Show is a winter wonderland with enchanting trains and twinkling cityscapes. Photo by the author
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The Bronx Zoo is full of amazing animals and surprises await around every bend of its sprawling grounds.
See Bronx Zoo Like a Local: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Get the most out of your Bronx Zoo visit with insider tips from a true Bronx local.
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Indoor exhibits let kids get up close with animals in their habitats.
Staten Island Zoo Is Animal-Packed Adventure for Little Ones
Easy to reach, explore, and packed with animal fun, the Staten Island Zoo is worth a visit.
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Keep everyone cool at the 95-acre Splish Splash water park on Long Island's East End. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash
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Get out of town to take advantage of the fun beyond the five boroughs.
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Greet the baboons, see the sea lions, and enjoy all the fun at the beloved Prospect Park Zoo, which reopened to guests after an 8-month closure.
Prospect Park Zoo Reopening Brings Wild Excitement to Beloved Brooklyn Spot
A caravan of strollers flocked to this beloved zoo on reopening weekend.
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The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.
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This whimsical exhibition is a perfect reason to spend a day exploring the garden.
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