www.kidsguide.com/new jersey/entertainment

Zoos

PLEASE NOTE:
Hours, prices, exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest information prior to your visit.

See Going Places listings for information about the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo and The Maryland Zoo at Baltimore.

Bergen County Zoo
Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave. (Rt. 4E to Forest Ave.), Paramus, 201-262-3771. 10-4:30 year-round. Free Mon.-Thurs. Admission charged Fri.-Sun. & holidays May-Oct.: Adults $2.50, ages 12-17 $1.50, free under 12. Exhibits include North American Wetlands Aviary, spider monkeys, farmyard. Train ride around zoo, pony rides, carousel, toddler and older children playgrounds -and picnic areas. In-zoo and outreach programs; zoo camp, jr. zookeeper, & zoo camp for children with special needs offered in summer.
Oct 24-25
ZooBoo, haunted train ride (for adults and children over 8), entertianment and trick-or-treating for all ages. Advance tickets only, call the zoo for availability at the end of Aug.

Cape May County Park & Zoo
Rt. 9 &Crest Haven Rd. (GSP exit 11), Cape May Court House, 609-465-5271. Open daily year 'round except Christmas. Park: 9-dusk. Zoo: 10-3:45 (4:45 summer). Free, donations appreciated. 200 species of animals, an amphibian and reptile house, aviary and African savannah are found within a 128-acre county park which features a playground, picnic facilities, nature and bike trails.

Popcorn Park Zoo
Humane Way at Lacey Road (Garden State Parkway exit 74), Forked River, 609-693-1900. Daily 11-5pm. Adults $5, children & seniors $4. The Associated Humane Societies established these 10 acres in the Pine Barrens to serve as a refuge for wildlife, exotic and farm animals that were elderly, sick, abandoned, abused or injured and could no longer -survive in the wild. Deer Woods, wild animal compounds, monkey house, horse and pony corral, farm; able to feed free-roaming -animals. Picnic area.

Space Farms Zoo & Museum
218 Rt. 519, Sussex, 973-875-5800. May 1-Oct. 31: Daily 9-5pm. Closed Nov. 1-April 30. Adults $12.95, srs. $11.95, children 3-12/srs. $8.50, under 3 free. Begun in 1927, Space Farms remains a privately owned collection of over 100 different species of North American wildlife. 11-building museum houses over 50,000 items of "Americana." Miniature golf; playground; picnic area; parties.

Staten Island Zoo
614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY, 718-442-3101. Daily 10-4:45. Children's Center open year-round, weather permitting. Adults $7, srs. $5, children $4, under 3 & members free. Free on Wed. 2-4:45. Small zoo encompassing one square city block offers year-round entertainment as most exhibits are indoors, including South American tropical forest, Aquarium, a Serpentarium housing amazing reptiles, and African Savannah. You can purchase food to feed the domestic farm animals in the outdoor Children's Center. Pony, cart rides, snack bar. Workshops for ages 4 & up; summer camp; Careers with Animals workshops for grades 6-9; Breakfast with the Beasts program. Education schedule available each season (718-442-3174).
Wed
     Donation Day, admission by donation Wed. after 2pm.
Sat &
Sat
     Animal talk & touch presentations, 1pm. Reptiles feeding time, Sun. 2:30pm.
Open
     Reptile Wing, houses 120 species of reptiles and features 2-level alligator pool, interactive exhibition space and "Fear Zone," an exhibit designed to dispel common myths about -reptiles.

Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, 973-731-5800. April-Nov.: Mon.-Sat. 10-4:30, Sun. 11-5:30. Dec.-Mar.: Thurs.-Sun. 11-3, weather permitting. Adults $8, children 2-12/srs. $4, memberships available. New Jersey and NorthAmerican wildlife exhibits, reptile center, Essex Farm with petting zoo and pony rides, train ride, picnic area, playground and food concession in season. Group programs; children's workshops; birthday parties; special events throughout the year.
New
     Collector Zoo Keys, purchase $3 key at front entrance to access story boxes about animals.
     Wild New Jersey, five natural habitats featuring bobcats, bald eagles and porcupines.
     Red Panda exhibit.
     Year-round Carousel Park, concession stands, restrooms and picnic area. Carousel $2.
Open
Jul 1
      New Penguin Exhibit. Opening soon are a state-of-the-art walk-through aviary, Australian animal exhibit and new pony ride walking path.
Theme Nights at the Carousel
Educational presentations, arts & crafts, movie screenings and more on Wed. from 6-9pm. Gates open at 6, presentations begin at 7pm. The main zoo will be closed. Carousel rides $2.
Jun 25
     Hoot Owl Holler.
Jul 2
     Sundown Salute.
Jul 9
     Penguin Party.
Jul 16
     Conservation Crazy.
Jul 23
     Turtle Tales.
Jul 30
     Christmas in July.
Aug 6
     Down the Shore.
Aug 13
     Australian Attitude.
Special Events
Jun 14, Jul 17, Aug 13, Sept 12, 20, Oct 4, 17, Nov 7
     Night Moves, tour the zoo by moonlight. Doors open at 8pm, close at 8:30pm. Adults $4, children $3, pre-registration required.
Jul 5
     Red White &Blue Zoo, 11-4. Treasure hunt, "Meet the Keeper" talks, crafts and activities.
Jul 10
     Leaping Lizards &Snakes.
Aug 12
     Things with Wings.
Sept 13
     Your Big Backyard.
Sept 27
     Visitor AppreciationDay.
Oct 12
     Wolf Awareness Day, 11-4.
Oct 16
     Your Big Backyard.
Oct 19
     Pumpkin Patch, 11-5. Activities and crafts, free pumpkins for each child while supplies last.
Oct 31
     Safe Trick or Treat Day and Junior Rat &Bat Night, 3-9. Treats provided by participating merchants, train ride and magic show.
Nov 28
     Holiday Lights Spectacular begins.
Dec 6
     Winter Workshop