A kid favorite, there are many Zoos in NJ to explore and learn more about animals, both local and from around the world. From Turtle Back to Space Farms to Popcorn Park, we’re sharing everything you need to know about all of the zoos in New Jersey!
The Best Zoos in NJ for the Whole Family
These animal hot spots are both educational and a fun time. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about them.
What animals you’ll find, the addresses, how much they will cost and any other need to know facts. Let us know which is your favorite!
Turtle Back Zoo
Turtle Back Zoo is host to everything from farm animals to bear to giraffes and lions. The Africa exhibit offers the chance to feed giraffes. Meanwhile, the Sting Ray house allows kids to touch the undersea creatures.
Kids love riding the small train or jumping around the prehistoric themed playground. Kids also love the mini-golf, kid friendly cafeteria, petting zoo, and carousel.
Looking for extra fun with big kids? Try out the treetop adventure course and zipline through the trees. There is plenty of free parking and the hours are 10-4:30.
Price: $15/adult, $13 ages 2-12
Related Post: Free Zoos in NJ
Space Farms
- Address: 218 County Road 519
Sussex, NJ 07461
Space Farms is a hidden gem that not too many know about. Come see over 500 live wild animals including lions, tigers, bears, jaguars, lemurs, buffalo, kangaroos, monkeys, hyenas, and much more.
Kids can play on the playground and slides near the entrance. Grab a bag of animal crackers to toss to the bears or corn to hand feed the hundreds of deer.
Make sure you wander through the 9 museum buildings as well! There you’ll find antique cars, motorcycles, Indian artifacts, farm equipment, dolls, and more.
Price: $19/adult, $15.50/3-12, $17.50/seniors 65+
Popcorn Park Zoo
- Address: 1 Humane Way
Forked River, NJ 08731
Open 11-5 7 days a week, Popcorn Zoo is an amazing zoo in NJ. Here you’ll see elderly and sick animals as well as who are becoming rehabilitated to be released in their natural habitat.
From tigers to camels, monkeys, wallabies, and even a bear named Boo Boo, kids will love meeting all of the animals here. Air-popped popcorn can be purchased to feed the free-roaming birds and some of the animals.
Price: $7/adult, $4/children 3-12 + seniors
Cape May County Zoo
With 200 different species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles and approximately 500 animals, you’re sure to see something new. The more adventurous visitors can zip, swing, and climb through the Tree to Tree Adventure Park!
Summer hours are 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. while winter hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning November 1st. This zoo is totally free to visit, but it survives on donations from generous visitors, so donations are appreciated.
Price: admission is free, donations are appreciated.
Cohanzick Zoo
The first zoo in NJ, Cohanzick Zoo has been open and home to animals from around the world since 1934. See over 45 different species of animals, including tigers, bears, and monkeys.
The zoo is open daily 9am – 4pm during the fall and winter season and 9am – 5pm during the spring and summer season. They host a boo at the zoo event for Halloween and a Kids Fest in May.
Price: admission is free, donations are appreciated.
Lakota Wolf Preserve
- Address: 89 Mt Pleasant Rd
Columbia, NJ 07832
Lakota Wolf Preserve features educational tours and photography sessions with wolves, foxes, and bobcats. The preserve is the largest in the Northeastern United States and the only of its kind in New Jersey.
If you’d like to have a tour, you need to make a reservation – walk ons are not permitted.
Price: $15/adults, $7/kids up to 11 years
Six Flags Off Road Adventure
- Address: 1 Six Flags Blvd
Jackson, NJ 08527
Boasting 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions, Safari Off Road Adventure takes explorers on an exhilarating, interactive animal adventure.
Make your journey even more wild by taking a zipline over the safari, feeding a giraffe or petting some of the animals.
The Off Road Adventure is an addition to the theme park, so in order to experience it you must have a theme park ticket, which includes admission into the park and the rides.
Price: free with general admission ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure
Bergen County Zoological Park
- Address: 216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
Nestled in the Van Saun Park you’ll find the Bergen County Zoological Park. Featuring farm animals, bobcats, monkeys, and a few exotic animals.
Watch the mountain lion cubs pounce in their enclosure or see hundreds of turtles warm in the sun and play with balls.
There is a wildlife center at the entrance where kids can learn more about the animals and the Zoological Society.
Price: $8/adult, $5/child 3-14, discounts for residents
Learn everything you need to know about the Bergen County Zoo and Van Saun Park here!
Rizzos Wildlife World
- Address: 1 Gold Mine Rd.
Flanders, NJ 07836
Known best for visiting schools and camps, this indoor zoo is open 6 days a week, rain or shine! Meet wildlife like Gus Gus the groundhog, Olaf the albino hedgehog, Adele the python, or Minnie the opposum.
You and your littles can explore 4,700 sq. feet of exhibit space filled with professionally crafted wildlife enclosure Observe more than 2,000 gallons of aquatic exhibits containing fish from all around the world. They also offer 45-minute wildlife shows open to the public. Just check their Facebook page for dates & times!
Price: $10/person over 2
Adventure Aquarium
Not quite a zoo, but worth the honorable mention.
Featuring more than 8500 aquatic species and 2 million gallons of water, you can easily spend an entire day exploring this unique Jersey aquarium.
Take a walk through the glass shark tunnel and watch the vicious sea animals swim above you. Then head over to the touch tanks and watch ray splash around and play. Finally, don’t miss daily shows or the kids’ play areas.
Price: $31.99/adult, $21.99/child
Which of these zoos in NJ is your favorite? Which do you plan on going to next? Let us know in the comments!
If you know of any zoos in NJ that we’re missing, be sure to let us know!
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