Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We are taking DS this weekend. He is 2, can you recommend the exhibits and or rides your toddler enjoyed most. I havent been there in over 20 years....what are the must sees?

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

DD loved the butterfly garden as well as the seals and the monkeys. Have a great time!

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

It's sooo nice there. He'll enjoy everything... the sea lions, monkeys, gorillas, all the food, etc.
DS is only 3 months and we took him there. Of course we had more fun, but just walking around is so nice. He'll probably like the reptiles too.

Have fun!

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

ds enjoyed the monkeys the most... but I think smaller zoos are better, you will see more animals... when we went to the bronx last time half of the animals were hiding, they have so much space you cant see them most of the time...

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We've been a few times with DD who is now almost 3......definitely get the Total Experience Package to get into the special exhibits...some of our favorites are:

Children's Zoo (A must if you never been and it's great for a 2 year old, lots of animals up close, things to touch and climb on plus petting zoo area)
Bug Carousel
Butterfly Exhibit
Gorillas
Giraffes
Feeding Sea Lions
Camel Rides
Monorail (Good time to sit and rest while seeing Animals)

I think the Tram is closed now but that used to be fun.

Bronx Zoo is awesome....wish we lived closer...we'd go more often. Have fun!

Message edited 9/16/2009 11:18:27 AM.

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

thanks for all the feedback ladies.....Im kind of excited to go myself, its been so long! Last time was a field trip in elementary school!

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We have taken DD there 3 times. We usually see every exhibit in the zoo. Her favorite is probably the Butterfly Garden & the monkey house.

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We have the membership - which is SO worth getting ($150 - includes FREE entrance to Bronx zoo for you and your DH, and kids, includes all the paid attractions inside which are unlimited - I believe that adult ticket is $27 pp- includes 4 free parking passes, 10% off food and items in the stores - It also includes free admission to the NY aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and the Prospect park zoo). I think it runs about $60-70 for just parking and 2 adult tickets that include the extra charge items (congo, bug carousel, monorail with the animals, children's zoo, butterfly farm etc). If you go I think once to Bronx zoo and once to the aquarium it has almost paid for itself (the parking passes are also good at the aquarium). Etd to add - you can also bring a guest - on that pass - so last year I often brought friends and their children (a child was free I think 3 and under) great for playdates. As long as you don't name the guest on your membership you can bring a different person everytime (only one person at a time though).

Well DD LOVES the bug carousel - we have to do it at least 2-3 times each time we go. She also really loves the Congo (gorilla area), Monorail tour (not the tram we have never done that), and the butterfly farm. We also like to walk around the area that is next to the monorail, and she loves the lions, polar bear and the Children's zoo. Madagascar is also worth going to see.

Keep in mind that they don't allow you to bring your stroller into the buildings during the warmer parts of the year - so you will have to use stroller park frequently. They used to have people giving you tags - but the last time we went in Aug they had done away with that.

Eat lunch early if you plan to buy it gets very crowded at the tables and can be difficult to find a table after 1130/12.

If you can stomach it DD loves when DH takes her on the camel ride (it is an extra charge). He has taken her two times and she always asks to do that when we go.

Message edited 9/16/2009 3:33:52 PM.

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We have a membership also.

DS' favorite is the bug caroussel. He likes the butterfly garden too.

Re: Have you taken DC to the Bronx Zoo?

We have a membership, so DD has been there quite a few times this year. On our last trip (Labor Day Weekend) she loved the monorail ride through Asia to see the elephants, and the butterfly house. She doesn't like the Children's Zoo b/c she is nervous being so close to the animals (she doesn't like the Ecology Center either for that reason, so judge according to where you have previously taken your DS).

She LOVES the Congo Gorilla Forest, and this last trip she also loved the rainforest area (but she's an aquarium buff and that was where the fish were).

The monorail & butterfly house are only open certain times of the year, so check the Bronx Zoo's website for specific details.

ETA: She is 21 months.

Message edited 9/16/2009 4:26:07 PM.