Central Park Zoo553

My 5-year-old son loves all zoos, including animals and people there. So his indiscriminate love lowers the value of his opinion. Here are my two cents.

First concerns price. As a member, I did not pay, but the price is bit higher given its size and appropriate given its location. I visited the zoo in the Monday afternoon, and it was bit crowded, partly because most museums close on Monday.

Second, it is both sensible and original to divide the zoo into three zones: tropical, temperate and polar. My preference for them is in ascending order, which may be a function of hot temperature. I wonder if my preference would be reversed in winter, but then objectively dismissed the possibility. The tropical forest looks great, but it is humid and crowded and the animals are not special with Lemur as the only exception. In the polar zone, one giant polar bear repetitively but joyfully glided back and forth, sometime on its back with his nose above the water, and sometime moving forward with its whole body under the water. The penguins and puffins seem happy and lovely.

Third, humans there are rather diverse and represent all kinds of people in terms of race and class and language.

Fourth, there are many placards with intelligent descriptions and assessments, but I did not have the time to read it. They seem to be nerdish even for a college professor. But this zoo does make me better understand protective coloration. With its yellow and white fur, a snow leopard looks invisible in the cold and rugged mountain. Penguins' black color makes them blend into the dark water if viewed from top, whereas their white color makes them blend into the bright sky if viewed from below.

Finally, you cannot beat this zoo in its central location. Exiting the zoo, I accidentally walked into the Plaza Hotel.

perfect size for young children, much smaller than average zoos and not as many animals but perfect for toddlers and babies who love looking at animals, also great children's zoo

Doable in an hour but two hours is better. We had a toddler and 1st grader and they loved it. You are able to move through the zoo pretty quickly. Check the map for feeding times when you first enter. A wonderful place to go if you don't have alot of time. The cafe offered yummy organic wraps, sandwiches and salads.