Know Before You Go - Central Park Zoo

What To Expect For Members Faqs Rules

All Visitors Must Have Date-specific Tickets. Every Guest. Every Day.

Admission tickets are still required for WCS Members as well as one-day ticket buyers. (ages 3 & up)

RESERVE WCS Member tickets – Must have valid member card for reservation. Members must present tickets, valid member card and photo ID for park entry. Reserve member tickets.
BUY one-day tickets – Purchase entry tickets.
Already have a prior zoo ticket? Guests with unused Total Experience ticket, or a courtesy ticket MUST exchange/apply that ticket to a new TIMED TICKET reservation. Use our online web form for assistance from the Reservation Center. You must have your ticket order number, and the name, email and phone number associated with that order.
Media Visits: No press cards or credentials will be accepted at the gate for admission. All members of the media visiting for the purposes of coverage must have an appointment with the Communications Department.
Important Note on Date Selection for Tickets: If the date or time you wish to visit is not listed in our calendar, please select another date. Dates are removed from the calendar once we have already reached the maximum number of guests for that date. The Reservation Center and Member Services will NOT be able to reserve tickets for that date.
Please check FAQs for further information – View FAQs.

Mask Policy

Masks are required for your visit. Consistent with NY City/State and CDC guidance, MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INDOOR AREAS FOR ALL GUESTS over the age of 2 years, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated guests over the age of 2 years are also required to wear a mask at all outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained. Face coverings remain optional for vaccinated guests in outdoor areas.

Vaccine Policy

BEGINNING DECEMBER 14, VACCINATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL GUESTS 5+ TO ENTER INDOOR EXHIBITS. Due to NYC Executive Order, all guests age 5 and older must show proof of vaccination (at least 1 shot) in order to enter indoor exhibits.** Children under the age of 5 are permitted into indoor exhibits with vaccinated adult chaperone.

PROOF OF VACCINATION may include CDC Vaccination Card (or photo), NYC COVID Safe App, New York State Excelsior Pass, NYC Vaccination Record, or an official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.S. Read more details at NYC.gov.
GUESTS 18+ must also show an official form of identification with name and photo or date of birth, such as driver's license, non-driver government ID card, IDNYC, passport, or school ID card.
PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR VACCINES ADMINISTERED OUTSIDE THE U.S: show official immunization record that includes: First name and last name; Date of birth; Vaccine product name; Date(s) administered; Site where the vaccine was administered or person who administered the vaccine
BEGINNING DECEMBER 27, GUESTS 12+ WILL BE REQUIRED TO FULLY VACCINATED TO ENTER INDOOR EXHIBITS. Proof of two vaccine doses, except for those who have received the one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

For school or camp field trips: Children age 12 to 17 are permitted to visit indoor exhibits if accompanied by vaccinated Adult Chaperone(s). Adult Chaperones (18+) must show proof of vaccination (at least 1 shot) in order for the field trip group to be permitted entry to indoor exhibits.

Chaperone supervision ratios must be followed at all times – Student/Camp groups require (1) one adult chaperone for every 10 minors and chaperones must remain with their group at all times.

**Indoor exhibits include Tropic Zone, Penguins & Sea Birds, 4-D Theater. Indoor locations used for quick and limited purposes require masks but do not required proof of vaccination, including restrooms, gift shop and café takeout.

Contactless Entry

For everyone’s health and safety, we are implementing contactless arrival procedures. We need your help to make it work! Here’s what you do:

Step 1: Reserve your tickets in advance - then print OR be ready to use on your mobile device
Step 2: Have ticket barcode ready as you arrive for self-scanning (WCS Members – have your valid Member card and ID to show too)
Step 3: Scan all your tickets and enter!

4-D Theater Reopening

For the health and safety of visitors and staff, additional protocols have been implemented.

4-D Theater and 3D glasses are cleaned and sanitized prior to every show.
Masks required at all times. Social distancing will be maintained at all times.

Health And Safety Is A Priority!

We are managing capacity for our guest experience, but still expect some lines or gathering at animal viewing areas. Please respect social distancing and related guidelines.

Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer available at all entrances and throughout the park near food/retail and exhibit areas.
Review all visitor behavior and activity policies: View rules

COVID-19 Warning: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. In accordance with New York State rules and CDC guidance, unvaccinated people continue to be responsible for wearing masks at WCS facilities. By visiting WCS’s facilities, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

No Re-entry

This applies to all visitors – one-day ticket holders and WCS members. New dated/time entry tickets are valid for a single visit. Reentry is not permitted.

Be A Responsible Guest & Protect Yourself And Others

From social distancing behaviors to handwashing, we need all guests to continue to participate in proper healthy behaviors when visiting. Please remember:

If you are sick, or have possible symptoms, please stay home and take time to recover.
Distance responsibly! Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. Please be patient at animal exhibit areas and allow guests to move along before stepping forward or creating crowds. Pay attention to all zoo signs, as some pathways are now one-way.
Wash your hands often. Restrooms for washing with soap and water are available across the park, and we’ve added hand sanitizer stations near exhibits and other gathering areas.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.

What To Expect When You Visit

Food and shopping are available. Dancing Crane Cafe is open for take-out and outdoor dining only.
INDOOR EXHIBITS REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION: As of Dec 14, proof of vaccination required for 5+ at Indoor Exhibit of Tropic Zone, Penguins & Sea Birds, and 4-D Theater. Indoor areas used for quick and limited purposes require masks but do not require proof of vaccination: restrooms and café takeout.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE - use centralparkzoo.com/today to see that day’s available exhibits and amenities.
EXPECT SOME CHANGES. We are committed to providing safe and healthy experiences for our community. Changes to exhibits and park operations will happen. We will provide advance notice when possible, but adjustments may also be due to unforeseen conditions. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING IF SOME EXHIBITS/ANIMALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE DAY YOU CHOOSE TO VISIT.
ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED. All guests age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (18+).

View full size map

Do Not Bring Scooters

For everyone’s safety, child scooters are never permitted. See our complete list of rules.

Please be Aware

We reserve the right to escort from zoo grounds any individuals or groups who are acting in ways deemed harmful to our animals, staff or the park, or that impinge upon the safety or enjoyment of the park by other guests.

What to Expect When You Visit

All visitors must have a date-specific ticket. Every guest. Every day.

Masks are required for your visit.

Vaccination required for all guests 5+ for indoor exhibits.