It’s not a large zoo, but somehow they have managed to create a beautiful environment and pack quit a few animals into Manhattan. Admission is $6 for adults and $1 for children. The entrance costs covers the zoo as well as the separate children’s zoo. In the middle of the zoo is the sea lion tank, where very social sea lions swim near the glass sides of the tank and even pop up to the top and swim around to the delight of everyone.
Past the seal lions is the cold climate animals, penguins, polar bears, and puffins. The penguin habitat is a breath of fresh air on hot city days. While there I found that several of penguins were awaiting the hatching of their eggs and the guide in the habitat was more than happy to answer any questions on when the babies were expected to be born as well as any other penguin related question. This building was build so that there are huge glass windows that allow for viewing of the penguins on land as well as under the water, and the penguins seem to love to swim right next to the glass. In the same building, across from the penguins is where the puffins are and a few ducks. The ducks are extremely friendly and would follow me from one side of the tank to the other. Outside of the penguins habitat is where the polar bears are. There are several great viewing places in various areas around the cage to get up close with the bears.
On the other side of the zoo was my grandmother’s favorite attraction: the rainforest. This is a walk in exhibit that recreates the rainforest and actually puts you in the exhibit with the birds flying around you. One the second floor there is a separate room with glass cages to view small monkeys and snakes. Although very interesting this room is very humid, smells, and feels like there is very poor ventilation making me want to move though there very quickly.
Besides the animals the park is a sight to see in itself. Beautifully manicured and well taken care of I would say it is not only of the best zoos I’ve been to, but also one of the most aesthetically pleasing. Throughout the zoo are various poems that go from one exhibit to the other. Most are about the animals that are housed in the area, but others just speak to the beauty of nature. I had reservations about visiting another city zoo, especially after my experience at the LA zoo, which offered poor viewing of the animals, less than stellar looking grounds, and graffiti everywhere; the Central Park zoo was its opposite in every way.
Although they don’t offer crowd favorites such as elephants, giraffes, and other large animals I do have to compliment them on not trying to force these favorites into a small space.