From the Sea Bird Colony to the Butterfly Zone, the World of Reptiles to the Himalayan Highlands, through Africa, Wild Asia and the Congo Rain Forest with Congolese gorillas, visiting the Bronx Zoo is like to travelling through the world’s nature zones. You’ll find a Sky Fari and Children's Zoo as well as paths that lead from gazelles and giraffes to ostriches, elephants, and every other imaginable animal from axis deer to zebras. Since the Bronx Zoo is so big--it's home to over 6,000 animals and covers 265 wooded acres that reflect the animals’ natural habitats--there's a Zoo Shuttle and Bengali Express Monorail to help you get around.
Wildly popular are the Butterfly Zone and Congo Rain Forest with Congolese gorillas; the 1,000 butterflies and moths are now complemented by a new butterfly garden. The Gorilla Forest’s 6.5 acre habitat features one of the largest breeding groups of Western lowland gorillas in the USA. It has its own special website where you can even take a virtual tour!
The Zoo itself hearkens back to 1895, when the New York Zoological Society was founded. Now called the Wildlife Conservation Society, with its headquarters at the Bronx Zoo, the Society also administers the New York Aquarium, and the wildlife centers in Central Park, Queens, and Prospect Park.
The Bronx Zoo is now a smoke free environment. No pets, radios, bikes, skateboards or scooters. Blind, visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors may be accompanied by properly harnessed guide animals. ADA maps are available at all gates.
Some basic tips for your visit:
At 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is the biggest urban zoo in the country -- you can't see it all in one day! Study the map of exhibits before going and plan your day around the animals you most want to see.
Cafeterias and food stands are located throughout the Zoo.
Stuff to leave at home: rollerskates, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, radios, boomboxes, tape or CD players, AND THE FAMILY PET (dog, cat, lizard, or whatever) since pets are not allowed in the Zoo!
Wear comfortable shoes! There's a lot of ground to cover here.
If you want to avoid crowds and school groups, plan your visit for non-holiday Mondays, Saturday or Sunday mornings, or most weekdays after 1 p.m. (by that time, most visiting school groups are gone). Avoid Wednesdays (admission is by donation that day, and the zoo is always packed!)