Prospect Zoo Tickets, Prices, Hours, What To Expect and More
Prospect Zoo is one of the premier zoos in New York State, providing world-class animal habitats and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.
Nestled on over 100 acres in the heart of New York, Prospect Zoo first opened its gates in 1935.
Since then, it has grown to house over 300 animal species ranging from gorillas to lemurs, making it one of the most diverse zoos in the Northeast.
In addition to its world-class animal exhibits, Prospect Zoo offers a packed calendar of special events, from summer concerts to holiday light displays.
As an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums member, it participates in many conservation and breeding programs to protect endangered species.
With education and entertainment for all ages, Prospect Zoo promises an unforgettable experience with wildlife right in the heart of New York.
This article shares all the information about Prospect Park Zoo tickets, prices, hours, animals, things to do and more.
What to Expect at Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo packs a lot of wildlife encounters into its compact space, making it a perfect family-friendly city zoo.
Visitors can get nose-to-nose with playful river otters in the aquatic section or watch prairie dogs pop in and out of their underground burrows.
The zoo’s pride and joy is its petting area, where kids can brush against sheep wool, stroke pygmy goats, and even hand-feed pot-bellied pigs.
Endangered species like red pandas lounge in forested enclosures for visitors to observe natural behaviors.
Visitors to Prospect Zoo can wind along tree-lined paths past sprawling savannas, where zebras, giraffes, and rhinos roam.
The brand new Primate Forest showcases monkeys swinging through lush forest while the aquarium features sharks, sea turtles and triggers fish gliding through coral reefs.
For children, the petting zoo allows up-close encounters with sheep, goats, and ponies.
For a more exclusive experience, early birds can reserve Behind-the-Scenes packages to tour vet clinics or get feeding demonstrations by expert zookeepers.
Whether watching a sea lion show or spotting a Sumatran tiger, Prospect Park Zoo offers interactive wildlife experiences in Brooklyn’s backyard.
From tiny turtles to majestic snow leopards, the zoo packs an impressive diversity of animals into an easily walkable afternoon visit.
Tickets to Prospect Zoo
You can purchase your Prospect Park Zoo tickets online for easy contactless entry.
The 2-hour tour starts at the Brooklyn Public Library.
It takes you through parts of Prospect Park like the Long Meadow, the Ravine, Lakes and Streams.
Your tour guide will share information about the park’s wildlife, architecture, and history.
You can also learn more about conservation, historic preservation, recreation and cultural events in the zoo.
Prospect Zoo Tour Prices
The Prospect Zoo tour costs $25 for visitors between 13 and 65 years.
Senior Citizens and students can get the ticket for $23.
Children between five and 12 years pay $13 for admission to Prospect Zoo.
Infants below five years enjoy free admission to the zoo.
Ticket includes:
- Entrance to Prospect Park Zoo
- 2-hour guided tour
- Knowledgeable guide
| Age | Tour price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (13 to 64 years) | $25 |
| Senior Citizen ticket (65+ years) | $23 |
| Student ticket (13+ years) | $23 |
| Child ticket (5 to 12 years) | $13 |
| Infant ticket (up to 4 years) | Free entry |
Prospect Zoo Opening Hours
Prospect Park Zoo is open to the public year-round, with extended hours during the summer months.
During the winter season (5 November To 31 March), the zoo opens at 10 am and closes at 4.30 pm throughout the week.
The zoo has varying opening hours during the spring and summer (April 1 to November 4).
It opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5.30 pm on weekends and holidays.
Best Time To Visit Prospect Zoo
The best time to go to the Prospect Park Zoo would be when it opens at 10 am.
The animals are usually the most active at this time, and the crowds have yet to start to arrive.
As the temperature rises during the day, the animals move to shaded areas and become less energetic.
To avoid crowds, going mid-week rather than on weekends is recommended.
The best times to visit Prospect Zoo are in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and crowds are manageable.
April through June and September through early November tend to have pleasant temperatures during the day and fewer visitors than in the busy summer months.
Unless you want to experience a popular seasonal event like Zoo Boo or Zoo Lights, try going during the spring or fall off-peak times.
How Long Does It Take To Visit Prospect Zoo
The time it takes to visit Prospect Zoo largely depends on individual preferences and the pace at which one explores the exhibits.
On average, visitors can expect to spend around two to three hours enjoying the zoo’s diverse collection of animals, including lions, giraffes, and penguins.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast who enjoys in-depth exploration, a full day might be necessary to savor every exhibit, attend animal feedings and try educational programs.
Weekends and peak seasons may result in longer waiting times and extended visits.
Ultimately, the duration of your visit to Prospect Zoo is flexible, catering to diverse interests and schedules.
How to Get to Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo is at 450 Flatbush Avenue.
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA. Get Directions.
The zoo can be accessed by public transportation and cars.
By Subway
Prospect Park Station is the closest Subway.
You can take subway lines B, Q (local or express) or S (local) to reach Prospect Park Station.
15 Street Prospect Park Station lies on the other end of the zoo.
You can reach this stop by lines F and G.
Another close subway station is the Parkside Avenue Station, which is connected to subway line Q.
Visitors taking subway lines 2, 3 or 4 can get off at the Eastern Pkwy – Brooklyn Museum stop, a 5-minute walk from the zoo.
By Bus
Flatbush Avenue/Prospect Park Zoo stop is the closest bus stop.
You can take bus line B41 to reach this stop.
If you take the B48 bus, you can get off at Flatbush Av/ Empire Blvd or Washington Av/Montogomery Street Stop.
These stops are a 5-minute and 8-minute walk from the zoo.
By Car
Driving or hiring a cab to Prospect Park Zoo is the easiest way to reach the zoo.
If you visit from Manhattan, take the Brooklyn Bridge and get onto Atlantic Avenue on the left.
Take the right on Flatbush Avenue and proceed to Grand Army Plaza.
Drive halfway through the traffic circle and take the right entrance of Flatbush Avenue.
Parking at Prospect Zoo
No parking is available at the zoo; however, there is street parking on Flatbush Avenue.
Drivers can enter Prospect Park at:
- Grand Army Plaza
- Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue Entrance
- 9th Street/Prospect Park West
- Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue
Prospect Zoo Map
The Prospect Zoo Map is a valuable tool for visitors exploring the Prospect Zoo, a picturesque wildlife sanctuary.
This user-friendly map offers a detailed layout of the park, highlighting key attractions, animal exhibits, dining areas, and rest stops.
Color-coded paths and informative icons make navigation a breeze, ensuring an enjoyable and educational experience for all ages.
With the Prospect Zoo Map in hand, guests can easily plan their adventure and make the most of their visit to this captivating animal haven.
Prospect Zoo Experiences
Prospect Zoo offers a few captivating experiences for animal enthusiasts of all ages.
You can get up close and personal with majestic creatures worldwide. Here are a few experiences planned for the coming summer:
Quest Stations
Opening hours: Wed to Sun- 11 am to 4 pm
As you explore the zoo, look for Quest Stations to play a fun game, learn techniques used by conservation scientists, or explore the lives of fascinating animals!
Quest Stations are placed all around the zoo, and if you find one, stop and enjoy the experience!
Before you begin your quests- don’t forget to grab the Quests Map!
Sea Lion Training Sessions
Opening hours: Daily- 11.30 am to 3.30 pm
At Prospect Zoo, sea lion training sessions are a mesmerizing display of the incredible bond between humans and these marine mammals.
These intelligent creatures demonstrate their agility, intelligence, and playful personalities.
Through positive reinforcement techniques, skilled trainers guide sea lions to perform captivating tricks, jumps, and synchronized swims.
These sessions entertain and educate about the importance of marine conservation and the need to protect these remarkable animals and their ocean habitats.
It’s a truly enchanting experience for all ages.
What To See At Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo has over 400 animals from more than 80 different species.
The zoo is a wonderful place to explore and learn all about amazing animals and their habitats.
Some highlights to see at Prospect Park Zoo are:
Discovery Trail
The Discovery Trail is a 1.5-mile walking path that takes visitors on a journey to see the zoo’s different habitats and the cool animals that live there.
People can observe and learn about famous zoo animals on the trail, like African lions, red pandas, Amur tigers, and California sea lions.
There are also fun interactive exhibits, informative boards, and educational activities for visitors of all ages along the trail.
Animal Lifestyles Building Entryway
The entryway of the Animal Lifestyles Building is a great introduction to the species at Prospect Park Zoo.
There are hands-on exhibits here showcasing zoo animals, including African lions, Amur tigers, and red pandas.
Visitors can learn from these exhibits about the animals’ habitats, what they eat, how they behave, and their conservation status.
This helps people understand more about the animals in the wild.
Red Pandas
Red pandas are the most popular animal at Prospect Park Zoo.
These small, cat-like creatures from the Eastern Himalayas live in the Asian Highlands exhibit at the zoo.
Guests can observe the adorable red pandas playing, climbing, eating bamboo, basking in the sunshine, and napping in trees.
Sea Lion Pool
The Sea Lion Pool in Prospect Park Zoo’s Center Court is a must-see.
Visitors can watch the talented California sea lions demonstrate their acrobatics and interact with trainers.
The sea lions put on various amusing shows, like synchronized swimming, balancing balls on their noses, and playing catch.
There are also touch pools where visitors can get hands-on with the sea lions.
Prospect Zoo Ticket – FAQs
1. How much are Prospect Park Zoo tickets?
The cost of admission to Prospect Park Zoo ticket depends on the visitor’s age.
The Prospect Park Zoo ticket costs $10 for adults (18 to 64 years), $7 for children ( 3 to 17 years) and $8 for senior citizens (65 years and above).
Children under the age of 3 enjoy free entry.
You can also book a Prospect Park Zoo walking guided tour for a better experience.
2. How long does it take to see everything at the Prospect Park Zoo?
To get the most out of a visit to Prospect Park Zoo, it is recommended to allow at least two hours to take in all the attractions in detail.
This allows you to take your time while wandering around the various animal enclosures, join in on keeper talks, attend feeding sessions and more.
However, if you are in a rush, you can still get an overview of the zoo in roughly an hour.
3. Which is better, Prospect Park Zoo or the Central Park Zoo?
It is difficult to say which zoo is better as it depends on personal preference.
Prospect Park Zoo offers unique attractions, such as a petting zoo, a carousel and various interactive exhibits.
On the other hand, Central Park Zoo is the oldest in the country and features many animals, including penguins and snow leopards.
Both zoos offer educational programs and exhibits and provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about animals and their habitats.
4. What time does the Prospect Park Zoo close?
Prospect Park Zoo’s closing hours change throughout the year, depending on the season.
November 6 to March 31: Animal exhibits close at 4 pm, and the zoo closes at 4.30 pm.
April 1 to November 4: Animal exhibits close at 4.30 pm, the zoo closes at 5 pm on Monday to Friday and 5.30 pm on weekends and holidays.
5. What animals are at the Prospect Park Zoo?
At the Prospect Park Zoo, you can view various animals, such as reptiles, amphibians, and various forest and water birds.
Here are the few top attractions: animals,
• Alpaca
• Black-tailed Prairie Dog
• California Sea Lion
• Dingo
• Dwarf Mongoose
• Emu
• Geoffroy’s Marmoset
• Golden Lion Tamarin
6. What is Prospect Park famous for?
Prospect Park is famous for its many attractions, including its
• Long Meadow
• Picnic House
• Litchfield Villa
• Prospect Park Zoo
• Boathouse
• Concert Grove
• Brooklyn’s only lake
• Prospect Park Bandshell
• The park is also known for its outdoor concerts in the summertime.
7. Can you bring food to Prospect Park Zoo?
Yes, you can bring food to Prospect Park Zoo.
The zoo has new dining options, including the Sea Lion Store and Café,
with freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and many healthy snacks.
Ice cream, Dippin’ Dots, candy and coffee are also available.
You can also bring lunch at one of the outdoor picnic tables.
8. Does Prospect Park Zoo have parking?
For visitors who are driving, parking is available in the surrounding area.
The closest lot is the Prospect Park Zoo Parking Garage, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, a 10-minute from the zoo.
The garage is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
9. Is the Prospect Park Zoo worth it?
The zoo is home to over 800 animals from over 200 species and offers an educational, fun and family-friendly experience.
It has various exhibits, including a sea lion pool and a rainforest.
The zoo also offers educational programs, like a summer camp for kids.
The zoo is less crowded than Manhattan’s Central Park Zoo, making it the perfect place for a more relaxing and peaceful experience.
10. What time of year is best to visit the Prospect Park Zoo?
The best time to visit the Prospect Park Zoo is spring and summer, from April through September.
During these months, the weather is mild and comfortable, making it ideal for a day of exploring the zoo.
The animals are also more active during this time, making spotting and having a great experience easier.
The zoo is also filled with beautiful blooms and lush greenery, adding to the overall experience.
11. Do you have to buy tickets ahead of time for Prospect Park Zoo?
Yes, you have to buy tickets ahead of time for Prospect Park Zoo.
The Zoo has implemented a timed ticketing system to manage visitor capacity and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience.
Featured Image: Facts.net