About Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park Zoo offers a family-friendly environment with a focus on interactive animal experiences, reasonable pricing, and accessibility for children of various needs, making it a worthwhile outing for families in Brooklyn.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with young children looking for a short, enjoyable outingParents of children with special needs due to the accommodating staffLocal Brooklyn residents wanting a quick and affordable activityToddlers (under 3): Free admissionPreschoolers (3-5): Enjoy petting and feeding animals
Why families love it
- Engaging experiences like feeding animals
- Affordable admission at under $10 per person, with free entry for children under 3
- Friendly and helpful staff, especially accommodating to children with special needs
- Indoor exhibits that allow for visits year-round, regardless of weather
- Beautiful peacocks and a small petting farm area
- Petting zoo area with goats and other friendly animals
Insider tips
- Buy tickets online in advance to avoid lines
- Bring your own water to save on costs at the gift shop
- Plan for a 2-hour visit to fully enjoy the zoo without feeling rushed
Good to know before you go
- Busy weekends or holidays when the zoo may be more crowded
- Visiting without checking the weather, as some areas are outdoors
- Limited size may not satisfy families looking for a full-day outing
- Food and drink can be expensive at the gift shop
- Crowds
- Less crowded during winter visits, which may enhance the experience
- Value
- Admission is $10 for adults, free for children under 3, making it a cost-effective choice compared to larger zoos. No hidden costs mentioned, but food prices are noted as high.
- Food
- Food and drink are available for purchase but can be expensive
- Accessibility
- Staff is noted to be particularly welcoming to children with autism
- Safety
- Friendly and helpful staff ensures a safe environment for children
What parents say
"Worth visiting. The animals appear to be treated nicely and cared for. It’s a small zoo but the price is worth it for what you’re getting. The fennec fox and goats were my favorite to see. This place definitely has the best petting zoo out of all the other Zoos in the city. Friendly and cute animals all around. I came during the winter so it wasn’t so crowded. Most of what you can see is indoors so you don’t have to worry about the cold. There were so many peacocks outside. They’re friendly and look beautiful so if you’re a peacock fan then you’re in for a treat"
a month ago
"Really nice Zoo I went with my kids and they had a ton of fun. I love that they charge under $10 a person and under 3 is free. I recommend buying your tickets online before coming. It's on the smaller size which is nice because there's not so much walking but they still have lots of animals including a small farm area where you could pet and feed the animals. The staff were very friendly and helpful."
3 months ago
"Prospect Park Zoo is truly a gem of a zoo. While it's not very large, it more than makes up for it with engaging experiences and a wealth of information. My kids had a blast feeding the animals, and I don't know if it was just our lucky day, but everyone was so warm and welcoming, especially with my autistic boys. The ticket prices are wonderfully reasonable, making it accessible for families. You can stroll around comfortably without feeling crowded by others. They've done a fantastic job blending modern architecture with classic design elements. I can't praise this zoo enough; they even have"
5 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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