See New York, Pennsylvania and Baltimore 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. Train, carousel and pony rides: April-Oct. Admission charged May-Oct.: Adults $8, ages 3-14 $5, srs. $2, free under 3, discounts for County residents. 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 programs for infants to adults; outreach programs; zoo camp, jr. zookeeper, & zoo camp for children with special needs offered in summer. Deadline for summer zoo camp applications in March.
Spring
Sheep Shearing, shearing, spinning wool and weaving demonstrations. Call for 2012 date.
Apr
Party for the Planet, annual Earth Day celebration. Free, call for date.
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 $4.25, children & seniors $3, under 3 free. 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.
Six Flags Wild Safari
GSP exit 98, I-195 west to exit 16; or NJ Turnpike exit 7A, Jackson, 732-928-1821. Four and a half mile auto trail winds through a 350-acre wildlife preserve, home to 1,200 animals.
Space Farms Zoo & Museum
218 Rt. 519, Sussex, 973-875-5800. May 1-Oct. 31: Daily 9-5pm. Closed Nov. 1-April. Adults $14, srs. $13, children 3-12 $9.50, 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 $8, srs. $6, children $5, 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 & Sun
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
Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, 973-731-5800. Winter hours: 10-3 Daily. April-Nov.: Mon.-Sat. 10-4:30, Sun. 11-5:30. Adults $10, children 2-12/srs. $7, under 2 free, memberships available. Very kid-friendly zoo includes New Jersey and North American wildlife exhibits, South Asian animal exhibits, Waters of the World exhibit with penguins, otters and alligators, an aviary, reptile center, aquarium, Essex Farm with petting zoo and pony rides, train ride, carousel, picnic area, playground and Zoo Cafe. Group programs; children's programs; parent and child programs; summer camp; birthday parties; special events throughout the year.
Wanted
Docent volunteers at the zoo. New training class on Feb. 26. For information, email tbzdocents@yahoo.com or call 973-731-5800 x275.
Open
Year-round Carousel Park, concession stands, restrooms and picnic area. Carousel $2.
Big Cat Country, cougars and jaguars in a Southwest U.S. theme.
McLoone's Boathouse, waterfront family dining.
Mar 31-Nov
Treetop Adventure Course, visitors traverse platforms built in the trees using rope bridges, zip lines and other challenging feataures. Must be at least 54 in. tall and under 250 lbs. $20, can reserve online.
Mini-Golf Safari, 19-hole miniature golf course deisgned in the shape of the African continent.
Selected Special Events
Feb 2
Groundhog Day, see Essex Ed predict the weather.
Apr 14
Wolf Birthday, wolf activities 11-3.
Apr 19
Night Moves, guided tour at night for ages 5 and up. Bring a flashlight. 8pm, pre-register.
Apr 22
Party for the Planet, Earth Day activities 11-4.
May 19
Bear Awareness Day, all about bears 11-3.