Prospect Park Zoo
Brooklyn, New York City
A must for animal lovers of all ages, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo is home to around 400 creatures belonging to 100 species. The enclosures mirror the natural habitats of the animals, enhancing the wellbeing of the animals and making for a pleasant visitor experience. You’ll spot sea lions, Himalayan red pandas, Australian dingoes, and more.
The basics
As well as wandering around the zoo at leisure, visitors can watch sea lion training sessions, which take place a couple times a day, and kids can participate in educational quest events throughout the summer. Travelers typically visit independently and spend around 1–2 hours exploring. Tickets are timed and must be bought in advance, so be sure to plan ahead if the zoo is on your New York City wishlist.
Things to know before you go
- Purchase your ticket online in advance as you can’t buy tickets at the zoo. Children under 3 are free.
- Although you must enter the zoo at the time stated on your ticket, once you’re in you can stay as long as you like.
- A small number of wheelchairs can be borrowed for free. Service dogs can enter, but therapy dogs cannot.
How to get there
The zoo is located on the eastern side of Prospect Park, beside Flatbush Avenue that runs through the park. The nearest subway station is Prospect Park (B, S, and Q trains), which is about a 10-minute walk from the zoo. The zoo doesn’t have its own parking but you can park for free on nearby Flatbush Avenue. Use the Prospect Park entrance to the zoo as the Flatbush Avenue entrance is not open.
When to get there
The zoo is open every day of the year, from mid-morning until early evening. Between late March and early November it operates slightly extended weekend hours, while in winter it closes slightly earlier. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time, although most visitors will want to allow more time. Sea lion training sessions are held a couple of times per day, typically one late morning and one mid-afternoon.
Other things to do in Prospect Park
Like Manhattan’s Central Park, there are many sights and attractions in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. It’s a good place to take a break from the bustle of New York City, especially on a fine day in any season. Highlights include woodland walks, boating on the lake, ice-skating in winter, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the historic sites at Litchfield Villa and Lefferts Historic House, and the Brooklyn Museum.
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