bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

in your opinion, which do you think is a better zoo to take my 3 year old to, i have not been to either in years..

bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

They are both nice zoos. The Central Park Zoo is small though and you can get through it rather quickly - but you can spend some time in the park as well. The Bronx Zoo is a lot bigger - and has more animals but, is hard to accomplish in one day with a 3 year old.

bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

The Bronx Zoo is huge, more things to do there!

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

Both are ok. Bronx zoo, pick a few exhibits. With central park zoo, you can see the whole thing (but it may lack certain animals)

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

We took DS who will be 3 in Sept to the Bronx Zoo and he had a blast!

It is big and you will not see all there is see but its perfect for that age because they can get out of their strollers and run around.

It's big enough for them to walk alone without getting loss in the crowd if that makes sense.

DS loved that he has freedom to get in and out of his stroller. Of course this meant lagging at certain spots for longer then needs to be, but it was fun.

We planned it so DS could enjoy the monorail, the Children's Zoo, and the bug carousel (although we headed over in that direction we never got on line, it was too long at that point).

We made sure we walked in the best direction towards each so that we squeezed in other animals - like the polar and grizzly bears, the tigers, the giraffes, the gorillas etc.

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

we love both actually- my ds is 2.5 and we have a membership and have gone multiple times to each.

Also recommend the Queens Zoo which is also part of the Wildlife Conservation Society- that Bronx Zoo & Central Park Zoo are in. Its nice and small for an afternoon and very reasonable to get in- maybe $7 pp?

bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

I don't really love the Central Park zoo but my son likes it. Its fairly small and you can do the whole thing pretty easily. I love the Bronx zoo but it is big. We usually pick some favorites and dont do the whole zoo in one day, though we have plenty of times. Sometimes I find that when its super hot like its been that you don't get to see all of the animals as well... Like they're tired/resting/staying out of the sun or in a cave, etc.

I feel like the Central Park zoo always feels so crowded to me. Strollers left everywhere and just feel smooched. With the Bronx zoo even when it's crowded It never feels that bad to me, I guess because its so big. But maybe that's just me.

Message edited 7/16/2013 2:28:03 PM.

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

Start off with Central Park, it's definitely a lot smaller. If you see they are enjoying, go another day to the Bronx Zoo. I love the Bronx zoo, but it's alot of walking/stroller rides.

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

thanks ladies for the great input......definately will help make the decision

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

Both are great - I would say if you are going in this hot weather you should do central park zoo as it is cooler and then you can bring dc to one of the nearby sprinkler parks in the park itself to cool off.

Re: bronx zoo or central park zoo w/3 year olds

Never been to central park but just did Bronx zoo on sunday. Def. way too big to do it all but you can go online and create a customized map with the exhibits you would like to see and the best route to follow. It was very helpful and you can print the map out or just send it to your phone.