A trip to NYC with children is incomplete unless you visit the Central Park Zoo. Spread over an area of 6.5 acres, this urban zook is the perfect place for kids to interact with animals, feed them and watch them up close. Here you can learn more about the habits and habitats of animals and have fun at the same time! Here is a list of things to know about the Central Park Zoo:
- It was the first official zoo opened in New York
- It was a menagerie when opened in 1860s
- New buildings were created and the zoo was modified in 1934
- Earlier, the zoo was also known as the “Zoo 1934” or “Robert Moses Zoo”
- The zoo is located near the southeast corner of Central Park
- The zoo has a large variety of birds and animals
- Virtually abandoned in the 1980’s, the zoo was then renovated and reopened in 1988 with the cages gone and new open spaces for the animals
- It has more than 150 different species of animal and it’s open to the public 365 days a year
- Here children can see California Sea Lions, a gorgeous polar bear, Red Pandas, Mountain Monkeys, Snow Leopards and Antarctic Penguins
- At the zoo children can see several ponds with penguins
- There is areas with terrariums and amazing plants
- The zoo also conducts a breeding program for endangered species such as the red pandas
- You can take part in the snow leopard exhibit in the park
- Visitors can spot a large free flight area for birds and fruit bats
- There is a medieval castle feature and a Noah’s Ark feature to spot in the park
- Visitors can also spot a fiberglass whale statue and a petting area
- Children can participate in penguins and Sea Lions feedings and Presentation sessions by reaching the zoo on time
- The zoo is a great place to escape the maddening rush of NYC and find tranquillity in the midst of animals and natural landscapes
- There is a smaller zoo as well to visit – the New York Tisch Children’s Zoo – which has farmyard creatures such as goats, hens, and sheep etc.
- You can take your children to a 4D screening of short films
- The zoo has been mentioned in several popular children’s books, including Mr. Popper’s Penguins (1938)
- Several animated films notably mention the Zoo such as the “Madagascar†series and Walt Disney’s Wildlife (2006)
- The zoo has different zones each with its own distinct animals, including The Arctic Zone, The Temperate Zone and the Tropical Rain Forest.
- While the attractions of the Arctic Zone includes penguins, polar bears, harbor seals and puffins, the temperate zone has snow monkeys, red pandas and turtles .
- Some attractions of the tropical rain forest include lemurs, sloths, lion tamarinds, leaf-cutting ants, etc.
Have a memorable NYC trip with central park bike tours and check out the Zoo up close.