NYC Wildlife: The Queens Zoo
Nina RossielloFood, Booze, Body Art Editor & WriterFounding Member
Zoos and Aquariums in New York City
I assume most people do NOT think of zoos and aquariums when planning their trips to New York City or when looking for something to do in New York City. But, let me give you an insider tip…you should!There are so many spots all around New York City for you to get your wildlife fix! Grab your notebooks out and jot these down:
- Bronx Zoo – Bronx, NY
- Central Park Zoo – Manhattan, NY
- Queens Zoo – Queens, NY
- Prospect Park Zoo – Brooklyn, NY
- Staten Island Zoo – Staten Island, NY
- New York Aquarium – Brooklyn, NY [fun fact: the NY Aquarium is the oldest continuously running aquarium in the United States. Talk about a bucket list item!]
A trip to a wildlife center or an aquarium is a perfect family outing. These types of outings are a personal favorite for my mom and me. We have a mini goal to get to all of the zoos and aquariums we can when we travel or when we’re hanging out locally in New York. NYC is more than just Manhattan, and this is a great chance to see one of the outer boroughs. Today we are going to explore Queens as I take you along to the Queens’ Zoo.
About the Queens Zoo
Our most recent adventure together was to the Queens Zoo or, as it’s also known, the Queens Wildlife Center. This zoo is located in, you guessed it, Queens, NY -- right off of the Grand Central Parkway. While super easy to get to by car, just a warning, it is not so easy to always park. The Queens Zoo is located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, and they do not have their own parking lot, so you’re competing for parking with all of the other park visitors. Save the earth a bit, and carpool carpool carpool! If you prefer taking public transportation, you could either take the 7 line to 111th Street and walk about 15 minutes to Flushing Meadow Park. There are also a few bus route options, so plan out what is the best way for you to get there before you go.The Queens Zoo is relatively small and definitely not an all day activity. The entire center is five acres big, and most of that area is the animals’ habitats. We looped around the main area twice and went to the domestic animals area, and we were only there for about two hours total. There is a $10 admission fee for adults, and for a $5 donation, you are given a wildlife themed mask to wear throughout your visit which you can then keep. We got “tiger faces” on our masks the day we went. I am obsessed with mine and wear it to go grocery shopping like a twelve year old.The Queens Zoo is a part of the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society). The WCS’s mission is to save and protect all wildlife. They also aim to educate patrons about the importance of wildlife conservation as well as the impact our everyday decisions make on the planet, which in turn affects these animals. Check them out >> wcs.org
The Animals
I don’t want to spoil the entire experience for you, so I’ll just highlight some of my favorites here!Bald Eagles – the Queens Zoo is home to two beautiful bald eagles. Unfortunately, these two eagles both encountered accidents that left them unable to fly. A hunter shot the male eagle and an airplane struck the female eagle. They both thankfully survived and are now living their best damn lives in Queens. Canadian Lynx – I am a sucker for a big cat; I am utterly fascinated and drawn to them. They are just SO cute! The lynx at the Queens Zoo were very energetic and playful. They were having a grand old time running around and wrestling. We actually didn’t see them on our first loop around the zoo. They must have been eating or something, but we circled back around the zoo a second time, and luckily, they were all out there enjoying the sunshine. Pro Tip: If you didn’t see an animal you really wanted to see, circle back when you are finished seeing other exhibits and there’s a chance you’ll see them on the second time around. Southern Pudu – The world’s smallest deer. Doesn’t it just automatically sound like it would be adorable? Well, that’s because... IT IS. This tiny little deer stole my heart from the second I saw her (or him, who am I to assign gender to the deer). The Pudu was another animal that was MIA on our first go-around, but luckily was out and about the second time around just like the lynx. (And no they’re not in the same exhibit that would be awful. Just a coincidence they were both not out).Andean Bear – Like big cats, bears always catch my attention. Everything about them is interesting. I could have watched this particular bear all day. He was climbing, running, playing, and just, well, generally being a bear. He is the last exhibit in the main area, and the perfect way to end your loop!Texas Longhorn - This guy. He was my spirit animal. The longhorn was trying to be up in everyones’ business because he was looking for snacks. Snacks speak to the heart, a sentiment we have in common.
Planning Your Visit
To get a map, hours, additional pricing, etc., head over to the Queens zoo’s website >> https://queenszoo.com/plan-your-visit.If you’re visiting the zoo during COVID, please note, you must buy your tickets in advance for a specified time slot. This is their way of keeping track and controlling the number of guests circling around at the same time.Note: People do not all have the same views and or respect, as you would expect. There were times when mom and I were at an animal viewing area and people walked right up behind us breathing down our backs (disgusting) or right next to us without any regard for our personal space. If this happens to you, step back and wait until they clear the area. It’s better to be safe and make yourself comfortable than keeping quiet and pretending it doesn’t bother you.
