Making a visit to Central Park in New York City with the kids? If they love animals, and which kids doesn’t, make a stop at the Tisch Children’s Zoo, next to the main Central Park Zoo.
Tisch Children’s Zoo: A Special Place for Kids in Central Park
The Tisch Children’s Zoo is located just north of the main zoo area. It can be reached by going past the famous Delacorte Clock at the zoo.
This special corner of Central Park is a zoo that has been designed for young children to get upclose to domesticated animals. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is a friendly spot for kids to see familiar farm animals.
It is bounded by 5th Avenue to the east and 66th Street and 65th Street to the north and south respectively. It is a short distance south of the Balto statue.
However, you won’t realize that you are going past these streets as pedestrian underpasses make it seamless and family-friendly to access the Tisch Children’s Zoo from the rest of Central Park.
There is one entry and exit point to the children’s zoo.
Animals at Tisch Children’s Zoo
Entering into the Tisch Children’s Zoo, you will need to make your way up a meandering path.
This leads up to the turtle pond where you can view the amphibians swimming in the water.
This pond is actually interconnected with a water stream that run throughout the small petting zoo and the turtles seems very happy to be swimming around in it.
Up ahead, there are facilities like toilets and a baby changing station just a short distance away.
One of the most intriguing animals the can be found at the Tisch Children’s Zoo is the Patagonian Cavy. At first glance, you may think that they look like rabbits. However, on closer inspection, it becomes obvious that they are much larger – almost the size of a small deer.
The Patagonian Cavy comes from Argentina and it is the fourth largest rodent in the world. Amazingly, they have now found their way to New York City and you should most definitely look out for them when visiting the children’s zoo.
From large rodents to mini goats! You will be able to come across playful mini-nubian goats at the kid-friendly children’s zoo.
Other animals that small children will be delighted to see include mini Southdown or babydoll sheep and the Garganey duck.
One of the best way to experience the animals at the Tisch Children’s Zoo is to pick up some feed from the feed machines that are open from 10 am to 2 pm daily.
Visiting Tisch Children’s Zoo
The Tisch Children’s Zoo is a rather small zoo and access to the zoo comes bundled together with admission the main Central Park Zoo.
The children’s zoo was made possible by a $4.5 million gift from the families of Laurence A. Tisch and Preston R. Tisch and is dedicated to the delight and education of the children of New York. It opened in 1997.
Laurence A. Tisch was a businessman and investor who was also the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995. Preston R. Tisch was his brother who was part owner of the Loews Corporation.
Together with the 4D theatre, the Tisch Children’s Zoo adds to the overall experience of a visit to see the animals while at Central Park and is best enjoyed with young children.
Do take note that no food and drinks are allowed into the children’s zoo.
Last entry to the children’s zoo is one hour before closing.
Where: East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
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