6 Best Petting Zoos In and Near NYC Families Love
Looking for a family outing where kids can pet and play with farm animals in NYC? While New York City is urban, there are still many opportunities to explore nature and learn about animals we don’t see every day in the wild. Petting zoos in NYC are a great way to introduce your children to new animals and allows them to have an experience they won’t forget.
New York petting zoos can be broken down into two categories: farms and zoos.
Farm petting zoos are slices of land that raise animals and you can see and interact with them in a more natural habitat. Petting Zoo in New York on the other hand have sections designated where children can interact with them; they’re a little more urban and controlled.
Depending on what kind of experience you and your child want to have, we have broken this list up by farms and zoos so you can easily find the best fit your family!
Psst… Here are 6 of the Best Indoor Rock Climbing Facilities In and Near New York!
Too Long, Didn’t Read
- Petting zoos in NYC give families a chance to meet animals and enjoy nature while staying close to the city.
- There are two kinds of petting zoos in New York: farm petting zoos like White Post Farms and Queens County Farm Museum, and urban ones, such as the Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo.
- The Art Farm NYC is the only indoor petting zoo in Manhattan where children can safely interact with small animals in a guided setting.
- Queens County Farm Museum has free entry and allows visitors to feed animals such as goats and sheep during open hours and special events.
- Most petting zoos are open from 10 am to 5 pm, but visiting hours may change depending on the season.
- Families can see animals like giraffes, alpacas, pigs, foxes, and prairie dogs across different petting zoo locations.
Top Farms in NYC
White Post Farms
White Post Farms has always had an element of grandeur that you wouldn’t typically find from a petting zoo in New York. This establishment focuses on the childlike thrill that petting zoos are supposed to generate. Take selfies with giraffes, ride ponies and get up close and personal with farm animals.
Address: 250 Old Country Rd., Melville, NY 11747
Visiting Hours: Weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Weekends 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (stay until 6:00 pm)
Website: whitepostfarms.com
Pricing: $29.95 per person (ages 16 months and up); children 15 months and under are free.
Specialty: A popular family-friendly farm known for its wide range of animals and attractions. Visitors can feed giraffes, explore walk-through aviaries, and enjoy pony rides. The Dinosaur Adventure section and monkey barn add extra fun for children.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Get Up Close to Animals: Children can feed giraffes, meet ponies, and watch playful monkeys in a safe outdoor setting.
- Walk-Through Aviaries: Explore bird aviaries where families can see exotic birds up close while learning about wildlife.
- Dinosaur Adventure: The interactive Dinosaur Adventure section keeps kids engaged with fun and educational activities.
- Family-Friendly Experiences: White Post Farms offers something enjoyable for every age, making it perfect for a full-day outing.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
Best Time to Visit: Arrive early on weekends to avoid crowds and enjoy feeding giraffes without waiting.
The Art Farm NYC
Visit New York City’s only indoor and the best petting zoo! Though their animals steer more towards lizards and guinea pigs than the classic farm animals, they’re still great candidates for petting.
Sign your little ones up for their Animal Exploration class if they’re major animal lovers, or come to one of their daily drop-ins for fun for the whole family.
Address: 431 E 91st St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10128
Visiting Hours: Depends on class schedule; morning sessions on weekends from 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Website: theartfarms.com
Pricing: $65 per child per drop-in session; one adult included
Specialty: The only indoor petting zoo in New York City. Children can meet small animals like chinchillas, lizards, and guinea pigs. The space also offers art, cooking, and nature-based learning programs.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Indoor Petting Experience: Children can safely interact with small animals like chinchillas, guinea pigs, and lizards in a secure indoor environment.
- Hands-On Learning: The farm offers guided sessions that combine animal interaction with art, cooking, and nature-based classes.
- Perfect for Young Explorers: Toddlers and young children can explore freely without the hazards of an outdoor farm setting.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
- Plan for Drop-Ins: Book drop-in sessions in advance because weekend spots fill quickly.
Queens County Farm Museum
Yet another great New York farm, this time steering more firmly into the farm animal category. Though free upon entry, there are some events and activities that will require payment.
Purchase bags of feed from the farm store to feed the sheep and goats! Be sure to check out their website for the latest upcoming events, like the Sheep Shearing Festival coming up in May!
Address: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Queens, NY 11004
Visiting Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; farm store closes at 4:00 pm
Website: queensfarm.org
Pricing: Free general admission; separate charges for special events and hayrides
Specialty: A 47-acre working farm featuring goats, sheep, cows, and hens. Visitors can buy feed for the animals, explore the gardens, and attend seasonal events like the Sheep Shearing Festival.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Free General Admission: Families can explore a working farm without paying an entry fee.
- Animal Feeding Opportunities: Visitors can purchase feed to hand-feed friendly goats and sheep for an interactive experience.
- Seasonal Events: Special events like the Sheep Shearing Festival give children hands-on learning and farm experiences.
- Farm Gardens and Store: Guests can explore gardens and purchase fresh produce or goods from the farm store.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
Time Visits with Festivals: Plan your trip during seasonal festivals for interactive activities and live demonstrations.
Top Petting Zoos in NY
Bronx Children’s Zoo
If you’re a little too skittish to jump into the deep end of the farm, then try this more urban setting for your New York petting zoo experience. By all accounts, it’s a classic petting zoo in NYC but with the add-on of a children’s section.
Feed and pet your favorite farm animals, plus have up-close encounters with animals like prairie dogs, fennec foxes and more.
It’s a couple of extra dollars on top of admission, but well worth it in exchange for a wonderful day with your little one.
Address: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460
Visiting Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; last entry 4:00 pm
Website: bronxzoo.com
Pricing: Included with Bronx Zoo admission; adults $30.75, children $22.75, seniors $28.75
Specialty: A child-friendly section of the Bronx Zoo designed for close animal encounters. It features goats, prairie dogs, and fennec foxes, along with feeding areas and interactive exhibits.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Dedicated Petting Area: The Children’s Zoo offers a special section where kids can safely pet and feed farm animals.
- Meet Unique Animals: Children can see prairie dogs, fennec foxes, and goats up close for a memorable encounter.
- Interactive Learning: Exhibits provide fun, hands-on opportunities for kids to learn about animals and their habitats.
- Convenient City Access: Families can enjoy a full petting zoo experience within the Bronx without leaving the city.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
Save Time with Online Tickets: Add Children’s Zoo access to your Bronx Zoo ticket online to skip lines.
Central Park Tisch Children’s Zoo
The Tisch Children’s Zoo is a specific section of the esteemed Central Park Zoo that presents the cutest animals to children so they can interact with them and learn about the animal kingdom. Pet animals like goats, sheep, cows and even a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig.
Address: East 64th St., New York, NY 10021
Visiting Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Website: centralparkzoo.com
Pricing: Included with Central Park Zoo admission; adults $19.95, children $14.95, seniors $16.95
Specialty: A small, interactive area within the Central Park Zoo where children can pet goats, sheep, and cows. The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is one of its main attractions.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Small and Manageable: The zoo is compact, making it easy for young children to explore safely.
- Friendly Farm Animals: Kids can interact with goats, sheep, cows, and a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig.
- Hands-On Fun: Visitors can enjoy direct interaction with the animals in a secure environment.
- Central Location: Situated in Central Park, this petting zoo is easily accessible for city families.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
Bring Quarters for Feed: Feeding dispensers with quarters make the experience more engaging for kids.
Prospect Park Zoo Barn and Garden
Your search for the best petting zoo ends with Prospect Park Zoo. However, it can be overlooked when stacked next to its larger siblings — the Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo. But this is just a matter of size and notoriety and not because of quality. Alpacas and pigs at Prospect Park Zoo are just as cute and just as worth visiting for the petting zoo experience.
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225
Visiting Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; winter hours vary
Website: prospectparkzoo.com
Pricing: Adults $9.95, children $6.95, seniors $7.95
Specialty: A quiet zoo with a focus on barnyard animals such as alpacas, pigs, and sheep. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and simple farm experiences for families with children.
Highlights You Should Not Miss
- Calm and Relaxed Atmosphere: Families can enjoy a quiet, less crowded zoo experience in Brooklyn.
- Meet Barnyard Animals: Children can see and pet alpacas, pigs, and other farm animals.
- Simple Family Fun: The zoo offers a charming, hands-on farm experience suitable for children of all ages.
Practical Tip for Making the Most of Your Visit
- Plan for Summer Events: Visit during summer family events for special animal interactions.
Fascinating Facts About NYC’s Leading Zoos
New York City has some amazing zoos where families can see and learn about animals without leaving the city. Here are some cool things about the top zoos in NYC:
- Largest Metropolitan Zoo: The Bronx Zoo spans over 265 acres and houses more than 11,000 animals across 640 species.
- High Visitor Engagement: The Bronx Zoo records an average of 2 million visitors annually, supporting NYC’s wildlife education and conservation efforts.
- Historic Farming Experience: The Queens County Farm Museum covers 47 acres and is New York City’s oldest continuously farmed site, operating since 1697.
- Urban Wildlife Education: The Central Park Zoo, including the Tisch Children’s Zoo, holds over 130 species and is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s urban learning network.
- Global Species Support: The Prospect Park Zoo maintains approximately 864 animals and participates in worldwide species survival programs.
- Indoor Petting Adventure: The Art Farm in NYC is Manhattan’s only indoor petting zoo, offering children close encounters with small mammals and reptiles under guided sessions.
Conculsion
Petting zoos in and around New York City give families a simple way to spend time with animals and enjoy outdoor learning. Each location provides a different experience, from large farms with pony rides to smaller city zoos with interactive exhibits. Whether visiting for fun, education, or relaxation, these places offer a peaceful break from city life and a chance for children to connect with nature in a safe and friendly environment.
FAQs
- What are the best petting zoos near New York City?
Some of the best options include White Post Farms, The Art Farm NYC, Queens County Farm Museum, Bronx Children’s Zoo, Central Park Tisch Children’s Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. - Are there any indoor petting zoos in NYC?
Yes. The Art Farm NYC is the only indoor petting zoo in New York City. - Do visitors need to buy tickets in advance?
Booking is recommended for places like The Art Farm NYC and Bronx Zoo. Farms such as Queens County Farm Museum allow walk-ins for general admission. - Which petting zoo is free to visit?
Queens County Farm Museum offers free general admission, though certain events and rides have additional charges. - Can children feed the animals?
Yes. Most petting zoos, including White Post Farms and Queens County Farm Museum, allow visitors to purchase feed for animals like goats and sheep. - What are the typical visiting hours for these petting zoos?
Most petting zoos operate between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Specific hours vary by location and season. - Which zoo is best for very young children?
Central Park Tisch Children’s Zoo and The Art Farm NYC are ideal for toddlers and younger children due to their small, interactive, and safe environments.
