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Bronx Zoo

the USA🇺🇸 | attractionsBronx ZooCongo gorillas, Tiger Mountain, monorail, bison range | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Bronx Zoo
👀 For curious travelersattraction ranked #20
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, spread over roughly 265 acres, so a quick look is impossible. It sits in the north of New York City, in the Bronx, beside the Bronx River. Tickets cost real money and summer weekends feel like a rush-hour subway with giraffes. I walked in through the Fordham gate, and a peacock crossed in front of me like it owned the turnstile. Come early, pick three zones, and let a first day end with sore feet and zero regrets.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 the USA Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #20 attraction in the USAWhat makes it a must-see attraction

Bronx Zoo gives you wildlife on a scale few cities manage, with more than 10,000 animals inside a subway ride from Manhattan. Its Congo Gorilla Forest and the Wildlife Conservation Society roots mean your ticket supports field work in dozens of countries. It also makes an easy break from museum-heavy New York days, because the tigers, monkeys and bison take over the whole afternoon without needing a plan or a reservation.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Congo Gorilla Forest: A 6.5-acre rainforest habitat where western lowland gorillas live in a large troop, viewed through glass and from walkways. It carries an extra fee in some ticket tiers.
  2. Tiger Mountain: Amur tigers pace and swim in a Siberian-style setting, and you can watch them within a few feet through glass.
  3. JungleWorld: An indoor Asian rainforest with gibbons, tapirs and fruit bats under a roof, handy when rain rolls in.
  4. Madagascar!: A building of lemurs, fossas and tomato frogs in humid, dim rooms that smell like wet leaves.
  5. Wild Asia Monorail: A seasonal monorail ride over elephants, rhinos and deer, running through an Asian forest section.
  6. Himalayan Highlands: Snow leopards and red pandas live on rocky slopes in a quieter corner of the park.
  7. Bison range: American bison graze in a grassy
… read more 👉
  1. Congo Gorilla Forest: A 6.5-acre rainforest habitat where western lowland gorillas live in a large troop, viewed through glass and from walkways. It carries an extra fee in some ticket tiers.
  2. Tiger Mountain: Amur tigers pace and swim in a Siberian-style setting, and you can watch them within a few feet through glass.
  3. JungleWorld: An indoor Asian rainforest with gibbons, tapirs and fruit bats under a roof, handy when rain rolls in.
  4. Madagascar!: A building of lemurs, fossas and tomato frogs in humid, dim rooms that smell like wet leaves.
  5. Wild Asia Monorail: A seasonal monorail ride over elephants, rhinos and deer, running through an Asian forest section.
  6. Himalayan Highlands: Snow leopards and red pandas live on rocky slopes in a quieter corner of the park.
  7. Bison range: American bison graze in a grassy field that is a reminder that the species once lived on the Plains and that you are in New York.
For a first visit, start with Congo Gorilla Forest, since it is the exhibit the zoo is best known for.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo Admission Ticket

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All-Garden Pass for the New York Botanical Garden

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Harlem Renaissance Multimedia Walking Tour

Harlem Renaissance Multimedia Walking Tour

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Hudson Valley Craft Brewery Bike Tour

Hudson Valley Craft Brewery Bike Tour

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Harlem Heritage Holiday Tour

Harlem Heritage Holiday Tour

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Hard Rock Cafe Yankee Stadium

Hard Rock Cafe Yankee Stadium

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NYC: Abstract Painting with Palette Knives – Small Group

NYC: Abstract Painting with Palette Knives – Small Group

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The "Real Little Italy" Arthur Ave in the heart of The Bronx, NY

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DJ Service in New York City (Included Photography & Music Video)

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Woodlawn Cemetery: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Gilded Age Art and Architecture

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Spring (April to May): Highs of 15 to 24°C (59 to 75°F), blooming grounds and active animals, with school groups on weekday mornings.
  • Summer (June to August): 25 to 31°C (77 to 88°F), humid, long daylight, the biggest crowds and top ticket demand.
  • Fall (September to October): 14 to 24°C (57 to 75°F), thinner crowds and cooler animals that move around more.
  • Winter (November to March): -2 to 8°C (28 to 46°F), short days, few visitors, lower prices, and some outdoor exhibits and rides closed.
Arrive at opening on a weekday, since lines and heat both build after midday.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
United States - Bronx Zoo

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Stay in Manhattan's Upper West Side or Harlem for the best mix of hostels, social common rooms and quick subway links to the zoo. Both areas are safe and popular with solo travelers, and the 2 and 5 trains run from Harlem toward the Bronx without a transfer in most cases. Midtown has the largest choice of budget dorms and the easiest access to everything else in the city, though it is loud and pricey. Arthur Avenue, a short ride from the zoo, is a cheaper, quieter choice with Italian delis, but nightlife is limited and there are few dorms.
Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Bronx Zoo costs roughly US$92 to 147 per day for a backpacker, with the entry ticket making up the largest share.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry ticketUS$24 to 40Prices vary by date and online booking; children and seniors pay less
Extras insideUS$5 to 15Rides and exhibits such as the Butterfly Garden cost more
Food and drinkUS$12 to 20Park food is pricey; picnics are allowed
TransportUS$6 to 12Subway fare is US$3 per ride, plus the Bx9 or Bx12 bus or express options
Accommodation (high season)US$45 to 60Dorm bed in Manhattan or Queens
Total Daily BudgetUS$92 to 147Per person, per day, in high season.


source: bronxzoo.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 4 to 6 hours at Bronx Zoo, and a full day if you want every exhibit. The park covers about 265 acres, so walking alone takes time. Congo Gorilla Forest and Tiger Mountain are best reached early, and the Wild Asia Monorail runs seasonally.
Yes, for most visitors Bronx Zoo is good value at roughly US$24 to 40 for general admission, since it is one of the largest city zoos in the country. Many exhibits are included, though rides and special attractions cost extra. Booking online and going on a weekday gives the best price and the shortest lines.
Take the 2 or 5 subway train to East Tremont Avenue/West Farms Square, then walk about 5 minutes to the Asia Gate entrance. From Midtown Manhattan this takes about 40 to 50 minutes for US$3. Metro-North from Grand Central to Fordham is another option, followed by a short bus ride on the Bx9.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Bronx Zoo suits families, animal lovers and travelers who want a full day outdoors in New York. I would bring a water bottle, go on a weekday morning, and pick a few exhibits instead of trying to cover everything.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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