Bronx Zoo

I've only ever been there once. I would love to take DS there in the next couple of weeks, probably on a Saturday. Is this an all day trip? What are the best exhibits to take a 2 1/2 yr old to? I want to make the most of his time there but have no idea where to begin.

Bronx Zoo

It is a lot of walking, we actually broke it up into 2 trips but if you do it in one day, it's all day. The congo exhibit was our favorite. Of course you have to pay extra for that. I have one of the year round passes. If you plan to go with other people or hit the other zoos and aquarium, get a family pass. It is well worth it. You also get 10% off food, drinks and gift shop and exclusive members only offers like going on special nights and early member only entry to new exhibits.

next time we go we will see the new dinosaur exhibit and the congo again. There are different parking lots for the zoo. So if you want to see a certain section and plan to break up the visits into different trips see if you can check out a map so you can park in the closer lots.

Bronx Zoo

Do you think its worth it to bring a 1 year old that loves animals? Is a family pass worth it?

Re: Bronx Zoo

I go often, but for short periods of time...
My favorites for our almost 3 year old are:

Butterfly garden
Children's zoo
Monorail ride
Jungle world
Bug carousel

That's more than enough. I try to break it into 3 things per day (plus carousel).

Congo is beautiful, my kid is not into it.

I haven't seen the dinosaur thing yet.

Bring snacks, but the food court is good.

With an all access pass for an adult, your under 3 year old will be free (I think).

Re: Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo

The dinosaur thing is not worth it....also not worth the wait

Bronx Zoo

Really? I heard it was awesome. :o(

As for the family pass... it is definitely worth it if you like to do day trips because it gets you into not just the bronx zoo but the other 3 zoos (brooklyn, queens, and central park) and the coney island aquarium. So if you do the other zoos and aquarium plus factor in parking it is worth it.

For a 1 year old, the animals are too far between exhibits and too far away at the bronx zoo. My twins loved the aquarium at that age and it only takes about 2 hours to see all of the aquarium. For a 1 year old the queens zoo would be better the animals are closer, and the petting zoo animals are right in front of you. Plus you can stroll around the park, get ice cream and see the world fair globe.

I have the family pass for that and the family pass for the riverhead aquarium. The WWF pass is a much better value, but I love riverhead aquarium because it has nicer exhibits.

Message edited 6/18/2013 11:54:17 AM.

Re: Bronx Zoo

Re: Bronx Zoo

Re: Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo

this is great info. thanks! we are planning on taking DS who is 20 months in a few weeks. I haven't decided if we should buy the family plan because i don't know if i'll take him again this year. although if it were up to me and not DH we would go all the time! i guess i'll wait and see how he does the first time.

i know it's free to get into the zoo since he is under 2, but do we still need to pay for him for the extra exhibits or is he free for them too?? TIA!

Message edited 6/18/2013 1:46:14 PM.

Bronx Zoo

i think everything is free for him but check the site just in case.

Message edited 6/18/2013 2:29:14 PM.

Bronx Zoo

Everything is free for him.

Re: Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo

We found the pass to be worth it and have gotten it the past couple of years. DS is 3 and DD is 16 months old and for their ages, I prefer the Queens and Prospect Park zoos and CI Aquarium (haven't been to CP zoo yet) because they're much smaller and easier to walk through. When we go to the Bronx Zoo, it's usually an all day trip (10-4).

Re: Bronx Zoo

We have the membership pass and go a lot. Last year we went a few times over the summer when the kids were 12-13 months old. Most of the animal exhibits are far away so it is hard for them to see, but the children's zoo was great for them, and honestly we just enjoyed walking around. Something for them to do. We went again this year when they are almost two, and its crazy how much things change in a year. They now know all the animals, wanted to walk majority of the time, really interested in what was going on. It was great.

If you child is young...you could actually get the individual membership instead of the family membership (i believe it is half the price) bc children are free until 3. The individual membership includes yourself and one guest (sometimes I bring my DH, other times my mother). If you get the individual premium membership it includes parking at the bronx zoo and the aquarium. The membership definitely pays for itself within 2 visits!