Throughout my many years in New York City, I've always loved trips to the Bronx Zoo, whether I was a toddler or a grown-up.
As a child, my parents paid for my ticket. But now, I foot the bill for myself. That's why I am grateful for the Bronx Zoo's free days.
In this post, I tell you how to take advantage of these free days or get tickets for other days of the week.
I also share some ways to save on tickets if you can't go on a free day.
Lastly, I include information to help you plan your outing like directions, zoo hours, exhibits and special events.
- Free Days
- Tickets
- Ways to Save
- Plan Your Visit
- Zoo Exhibits and Events
- How to Visit the Central Park Zoo
WHEN IS THE BRONX ZOO FREE?
Every Wednesday, the zoo offers free Limited Admission tickets, which means you can enjoy almost everything in the zoo except for a few exhibits called Star Attractions. (See below).
You can pay extra for any Star Attraction you would like to see, though if you want to see 2 or more, you may as well buy the "Bronx Zoo" ticket which includes the Star Attractions.
Free tickets become available online at 5 pm on the Monday before that Wednesday and continue to be available until 2 pm that Wednesday or until the day's capacity is reached.
Free tickets must be reserved online in advance. Learn more.
TIP: If you can't get Bronx Zoo Wednesday tickets or want to go on a different day, the New York Sightseeing Pass includes admission to this attraction for free.
Read about free or pay-what-you-wish days at other popular NYC museums and attractions.
Plus we have a post with hundreds of free things to do in NYC!
TICKETS
There are two ticket options: the "Limited Admission" ticket and the "Bronx Zoo" ticket.
The difference between the two is the Limited Admission ticket costs less but does not include Star Attractions. See the list of Star Attractions.
Both need to be booked online or over the phone by calling the reservation center between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Phone: 800-433-4149. The zoo does not allow walk-ups.
When you book online, you will select an entry time. You can arrive at the zoo within one hour of the entry time you choose and stay as long as you would like.
"Limited Admission" Ticket
- Adult $26.95
- Child (3-12) $18.95
- Senior (65+) $24.95
- Children 2 years and under are free.
- Purchase online
This ticket does not include the Star Attractions, but you can enjoy everything else at the zoo and there is a lot!
TIP: The Sightseeing Pass, a money-saving tourist attraction pass, includes a Bronx Zoo "Limited Admission ticket", so your visit will be free!
"Bronx Zoo" Ticket
- Adult $41.95 and up
- Child (3-12) $31.95 and up
- Children 2 years and under are free.
- Purchase your ticket.
This ticket includes everything in the zoo including these Star Attractions.
Year-round Star Attractions
- JungleWorld
- Congo Gorilla Forest
- Bug Carousel
- Nature Trek
Seasonal Star Attractions
- Children’s Zoo
- Butterfly Garden
- Wild Asia Monorail
- Zoo Shuttle
WAYS TO SAVE
New York City undergraduate college students
Free Limited Admission tickets are available to New York City undergraduate college students.
Eligible students must be:
- Attending an NYC college (must show a valid college ID from an institution within the 5 boroughs of New York City;
- NYC resident, attending non-NYC college (must show valid college ID and proof of NYC residency).
Become a member
The Bronx Zoo offers membership options that allow you to pay one flat price for free access to the zoo throughout the year.
The "Zoos Plus" membership includes not just the Bronx Zoo but also the Central Park, Queens and Prospect Park zoos! Plus you'll get lots of other perks.
Prices start at $90 per person, $150 per couple and $225 for families (includes 2 adults, 1 adult guest, and 4 children under 18.)
U.S. Military Members
Active duty, reserve members and veterans receive a reduced rate when they present a valid military ID at the admissions gate.
Depending on when you visit, you could get a free Total Experience Ticket or General Admission ticket and 50% off for up to three family members included on the same admissions transaction.
You can only get these special priced tickets at the admissions booths, not through the online ticket store.
Websites offering Deals
Groupon and LivingSocial often offer 20% - 50% off entrance to the Bronx Zoo.
AAA members
Get 18% off admission. Use this link to purchase tickets.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Hours
The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Hours change seasonally. High season has extended hours and runs roughly from early April through late October. The exact dates change yearly.
The 2024-2025 season hours are:
March 29 to November 2
- Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (17:00)
- Weekends & Holidays 10:00 am - 5:30 pm (17:30)
November 3 to March (exact date TBD)
- Daily10:00 am - 4:30 pm (16:30)
Note:Animal exhibits close 30 minutes before the park closes. The 4-D Theater, Bug Carousel, and Zoo Shuttle are open until the park closes.
What are the busiest days at the Bronx Zoo?
Wednesday is the busiest since they offer free admission. It also gets pretty crowded during weekends.
The least busy time to visit is a weekday, except Wednesday.
The warmer months see a lot of guests, whereas, in the colder months, the park will be less crowded.
Tip: On Free Wednesdays during the school year, the zoo may be a bit more crowded with school kids.
How to get to the Bronx Zoo from Manhattan
The Bronx Zoo is easy to get to by the NYC subway. From Times Square, it takes about one hour on the 2 subway line.
Use this Google Map for directions to the zoo by public transportation or car.
If you are new to the subway system, then be sure to read the following two posts:
- How to Navigate the NYC Subway
- Choosing Which MetroCard to Buy
Another option is to take the BxM11 express bus which runs along Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and ends at the zoo's Bronx River entrance.
Express buses cost more than the subway and may get slowed down by traffic, so I don't think it's worth taking the express bus unless you are uncomfortable using the subway.
TIP: If you are thinking about taking a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, note that they do not go to the Bronx Zoo, but from any stop in Harlem, you can take the subway to the zoo.
Where is the parking lot at the Bronx Zoo?
You can park on-site, but it is a bit pricey at $20.
There are two entrances with parking lots available to visitors and members at the Bronx River Gate and the Southern Boulevard Gate.
Use this Google Map for directions to the zoo by car.
TIPS AND GOOD-TO-KNOW INFORMATION
There are several things to consider for your visit. Here are my tips based on what I have learned over several visits over the years.
1) Take a look at the zoo map before you go and plan what you'd like to see.
2) Consider the amount of time you want to spend there. The zoo is big! The website says that the average time spent based on what there is to see and do is2-2.5 hours.
But don't rush! On one occasion I spent 4 hours there because I wanted to see it all without rushing and take some quality photos.
3) Use the zoo's free app which has a map, information about the exhibits, real-time schedules of feedings and other unique activities and more.
Just enter bronxzoo.com/today on your smartphone.
4) Don't let the rain stop you from going. On a rainy day, there is still plenty to see without getting wet.
When it starts raining once I am there, I take shelter in the indoor exhibits, of which there is more than enough to entertain you.
Check out JungleWorld, the World of Reptiles, Madagascar (lemurs!), the Carter Giraffe Building, theAquatic Bird House and my favorite, the Mouse House.
5) Here in winter? The colder months are great if you want to see tigers, snow leopards, grizzly bears, sea lions, and penguins at their most active!
6) The Bronx Zoo is within walking distance of Arthur Avenue, New York's other Little Italy. When I go to the zoo, I like to go after a visit for an early dinner.
Check out ourself-guided Food Tour of nearby Arthur Avenueto see the best shops and restaurants in this Italian neighborhood.
EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
With more than 10,000 resident animals showcased over 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is the largest city zoo in the US.
It has a vast array of animals and habitats so you will see the animals in a replication of the environments they live in in the wild.
Here are just a few of my favorite exhibits and habitats at the zoo. See the zoo's website to see the other exhibits and experiences offered.
African Plains
I like to imagine I'm on a safari when I am in this habitat. There are zebras, ostriches, spotted hyena, African painted dogs and more.
The giraffes look adorable when they chomp on leaves high up in the trees!
JungleWorld
This indoor Asian jungle has close to 800 animals living in their natural habitat filled with mangroves and beaches.
Here you'll see otters, gibbons, leopards, tropical bird species, the incredibly odd-looking tapirs, and my favorite little creatures, the fruit bats.
Congo Gorilla Forest
This 6.5-acre habitat is a lush green space with roughly plant species and beautiful 50-foot tall trees. I love it here since I feel like I can escape the 'concrete jungle!'
Besides seeing gorillas, you'll also see creatures like monkeys, pygmy marmosets, okapi and red River hogs.
The exhibit trail is about a ⅓ of a mile long so be prepared to walk a bit.
Events and Seasonal Activities
The Zoo often has additional activities aligned with the seasons so always check their events page to see if anything special is going on when you plan to visit.
My favorite annual event is the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Read more about it from our post Where to See Holiday Lights in NYC.
Another event is in September, when the zoo hosts a HarvestFestival where kids can dance to bluegrass music, and participate in activities relating to the fall harvest like apple tasting.
On occasion the zoo hosts Brew at the Zoo, an after-hours party for adults ages 21 and up.
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