The Bronx Zoo Review

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The Bronx Zoo

  • Address: Bronx River Pkwy. and Fordham Rd., Fordham, Bronx, NY, 10460 | Map It
  • Phone: 718/367-1010
  • www.bronxzoo.com
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.9/5

Fodor's Review:

When it opened its gates in 1899, the Bronx Zoo only had 843 animals. But today, with 265 acres and more than 4,000 animals (of more than 600 species), it's the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States. Get up close and personal with exotic creatures in outdoor settings that re-create natural habitats; you're often separated from them by no more than a moat or wall of glass. Don't miss the Congo Gorilla Forest ($3) a 6.5-acre re-creation of a lush African rain forest with two troops of lowland gorillas, as well as white-bearded DeBrazza's monkeys, okapis, and red river hogs. At Tiger Mountain an open viewing shelter lets you get incredibly close to Siberian tigers who frolic in a pool, lounge outside (even in cold weather), and enjoy daily "enrichment sessions" with keepers. As the big cats are often napping at midday, aim to visit in the morning or evening. In the new $62 million exhibit Madagascar!,the formality of the old Lion House has been replaced with a verdant re-creation of one of the most threatened natural habitats in the world. Here you'll see adorable lemurs and far-from-adorable hissing cockroaches.

Go on a minisafari via the Wild Asia Monorail ($4), open May-October, weather permitting. As you wind your way through the forest, see Asian elephants, Indo-Chinese tigers, Indian rhinoceroses, gaur (the world's largest cattle), Mongolian wild horses, and several deer and antelope species. Try to visit the most popular exhibits, such as Congo Gorilla Forest, early to avoid lines later in the day. In winter the outdoor exhibitions have fewer animals on view, but there are also fewer crowds, and plenty of indoor exhibits to savor. From mid-November to January 1 the zoo is decorated with holiday lights and open until 9 pm.

  • Cost: $15; extra charge for some exhibits; free Wed., donation suggested; parking $12
  • Open: Apr.-Oct., weekdays 10-5, weekends 10-5:30; Nov.-Mar., daily 10-4:30; last ticket sold 30 mins before closing
  • Subway: 2, 5 to E. Tremont/West Farms, then walk 2 blocks up Boston Rd. to zoo's Asia entrance; Bx11 express bus to Bronx River entrance
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by pongman from San Francisco, CA on 6/22/08
Great zoo, you can get close in several exhibits: gorillas, tigers, among others. Mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits so you can cope with most any weather. Lots of walking but go with the attitude of slow enjoyment and savor the moments and expressions of the animals. Extra charge for exhibits is not family friendly; they want you to buy a pass. Go early and leave early for less crowds and easier access. Many animals have spacious enclosures which is nice to see in a zoo.

Member Rating: 4.4
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 4.0 Value: 4.0 Don't Miss: 4.0

Reviewed by spaniard from Virginia on 5/15/07
Then don't miss this. The extra fees to see the main attractions is crap... The Congo Forest is good, don't waste your time with the Monorail. Make sure you pick out what you really want to see and skip what you don't... if you try to see everything you'll get tired really quick...

Member Rating: 3.4
Ratings details: Experience: 4.0 Ease: 2.0 Value: 3.0 Don't Miss: 4.0
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