Central Park Zoo – A Family Favourite in the Heart of the Park
Tucked into the southeast corner of Central Park, the Central Park Zoo is a small, charming world of its own — just 6.5 acres, but packed with sea lions, snow leopards, penguins and one very famous musical clock. It is one of the park’s best-loved family stops, and it is easy to fold into a relaxed pedicab tour.
🦭 Sea lions, snow leopards and penguins
Run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Central Park Zoo is home to a delightful mix of animals. The undisputed stars are the California sea lions, who swim in a central pool right by the entrance — time your visit for a feeding session and you will see them at their playful best. Elsewhere you will find snow leopards, red pandas, grizzly bears, and a chilly penguin house that children adore.
🕰️ The magical Delacorte Clock
Just outside the zoo stands one of the park’s most enchanting little treasures: the Delacorte Clock. On every half hour, its bronze animals — a bear with a tambourine, a hippo on violin, a goat playing pan-pipes — circle beneath the clock while it chimes out a nursery rhyme. Children (and plenty of adults) stop in their tracks to watch it.
🎬 The zoo that inspired Madagascar
If the zoo feels familiar to young visitors, there is a reason: the Central Park Zoo is the home the animals escape from in the hit film Madagascar. It is a fun little detail that makes the visit even more magical for families.
🚲 The easiest way to reach the zoo
The zoo sits near the 64th Street and Fifth Avenue entrance, on the park’s southeast side. A pedicab drops you right at the gates — no long walk with tired little legs — and can carry you on to the Pond, the Mall and beyond afterwards. It is a natural fit for our family route.
✔ Perfect with the Central Park family pedicab tour
✔ See all tour options on the Central Park pedicab tour page
✔ Ready to go? Book your ride here
👪 Good to know before you go
🎟️ The zoo is a separate paid attraction with its own admission ticket
🕒 It is open year-round, with slightly shorter hours in winter
🚲 Pedicabs cannot go inside the zoo, but your driver can drop you at the entrance and continue the tour afterwards
🗺️ What’s nearby
The zoo sits right by the park’s southeast gateway, so it pairs easily with:
🌉 Gapstow Bridge — the classic skyline view over The Pond, just steps away
🌳 The Mall & Literary Walk — the grand elm-lined promenade to the north
⛲ Bethesda Terrace & Fountain — the heart of the park
❓ Frequently asked questions
Where is the Central Park Zoo?
Near the 64th Street and Fifth Avenue entrance, in the park’s southeast corner.
Is the Central Park Zoo free?
No — unlike the rest of the park, the zoo charges a separate admission. The Delacorte Clock just outside, however, is free to enjoy.
Is it good for young children?
Yes. It is compact, easy to walk, and full of favourites like sea lions and penguins, making it ideal for families.
Can a pedicab take us to the zoo?
Absolutely. A family pedicab tour drops you at the entrance and picks the tour back up afterwards. Rides start at $30.
Sea lions, penguins and a musical clock, all a short pedicab ride from Fifth Avenue — the Central Park Zoo is a small stop that makes a big impression, especially for families. Book a Central Park pedicab tour from $30.