Staten Island Zoo — Attraction in New York

6/14/25 Update: Many animals were off exhibit (possibly bc their enclosures are so bad?); smell in the Tropical and Africa areas is very bad. I saw environmental officers walking around so they might be under investigation. There’s no WiFi available in the zoo and I’m pretty sure it’s on purpose so that people cannot record video of the zoo conditions. Some ahole let their autistic kid run around unsupervised too and zoo staff did nothing. 4/5/25 Update: I’ve been here 4 or 5 times since my original review and they made some very small efforts to clean up and try to make the exhibits appear habitable (staff clearly reads these reviews), however, the indoor Tropical and Asia areas are atrocious. The small monkeys housed with the sloth were crawling above the roof panels, multiple exhibits had stagnant pools of disgusting smelly water (even a novice pet owner knows that animals need 24/7 access to fresh, clean water), and the glass/floors/exhibits were covered in feces, dust, urine, etc. I bought a membership bc I felt so bad. They do have otters now which appear happy as of today; a couple enrichment items in their exhibit as well. ORG: The entire reason I came here was for the otters and the exhibit was empty; no otters anywhere. It was a very sad, dirty, depressing enclosure though so I probably would’ve felt worse if I actually saw them in that habitat… I did like the leopard and variety of indoor exhibits but one of the lemers went to the top of the enclosure, stared up into the sky and started crying which caused all the other lemers to start crying and it was quite sad (kids were disturbed and started crying). I really hope they are not in an indoor enclosure 24/7… there were actually a few animals which I didn’t feel had adequate space/enclosures. Cafe food was just typical frozen, fried stuff (burger patties, chicken...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Staten Island Zoo, and I must say it was a delightful experience. I'm giving it a four-star rating because while it's a small zoo, it offers a lot of charm and educational value.

First and foremost, the animal exhibits were well-maintained, and the animals seemed happy and healthy. I particularly enjoyed the reptile and amphibian house, which showcased a fascinating array of creatures, including a variety of snakes, lizards, and frogs. The zoo's commitment to conservation and education was evident in the informative signs and knowledgeable staff members who were always ready to answer questions and share interesting facts about the animals.

The zoo's size is both an advantage and a drawback. On the positive side, it's a manageable size, making it perfect for a family outing or a relaxing day trip. However, it does limit the number of animals and exhibits available compared to larger zoos. The highlight of our visit was the carousel, which added a unique and enjoyable element to the experience, especially for younger visitors.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Staten Island Zoo is its affordability. The admission prices were reasonable, making it an accessible destination for families. It's a great place to introduce kids to the wonders of the animal kingdom without breaking the bank.

Overall, the Staten Island Zoo is a hidden gem in New York City, providing a fun and educational day out for people of all ages. While it might not have the vast selection of animals found in larger zoos, the quality of the exhibits and the friendly staff more than make up for it. I had a great time during my visit and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxed and enjoyable...

We had our daughter's first birthday party here yesterday and had a blast! We celebrated in their outdoor pavilion. We were nervous about being outdoors in the summer (not a fan of the heat) but its a covered pavilion with fans in the ceiling. We loved our animal specialist, Victoria. She was so kind and patient with our guest both children and adults. We go to see and pet a turtle, a chinchilla and a snake. We ordered the pizza (which was surprisingly really good) that came with the party. We also ordered extra chicken tenders, 2 orders of fries and mac and cheese balls. We had more than enough food. We could have ordered half as much. We had about 37 guests. The party also came with a carousel ride which was fun! But be warned, it was the fastest carousel I've ever been on! I can see why Victoria warned suggested we do it before we eat.

The only negative thing is that I wish we had more time. We were having so much fun that the 2 hours really flew by. We did the 2-4 slot but the zoo closes at 4:45. After we cleaned up, there wasnt any time left to walk around. And of course some my guest were late (which can be expected with families with children) so they missed most of it. I think 3 hours would be perfect!

Also, you should know that peococks roam around in this zoo and they will come say hi! Lol. But they mostly stood away and were easy to shoo away when...