A 265-acre zoo in the Bronx with free sensory bags (you leave an ID) at the Guest Relations desk next to the Sea Lion Pool, named Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones, and a Holiday Lights Sensory-Friendly Night with quieter music, fewer people and an indoor Quiet Area.
Nov 1 2026 to Mar 25 2027: daily 10 am to 4:30 pm; animal exhibits close at 4 pm; last entry 45 minutes before closing. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Holiday Lights dates, the last daytime entry is 12 pm and daytime guests leave by 4:30 pm. Mar 26 to Nov 6 2027: Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, weekends and federal holidays 10 am to 5:30 pm.
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460 (Southern Boulevard, Bronx River and Asia gates)
“Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones and other resources, are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at the Guest Relations desk next to the Sea Lion Pool.”
“All tickets and Member admissions are single-entry only; re-entry is not permitted.” bronxzoo.com (FAQs)
The zoo has two social stories on its accessibility page: Preparing for My Trip to the Zoo, an older story that still talks about buying tickets in line at the gate (today every visitor needs a date-specific ticket, bought ahead), and Preparing to Visit Holiday Lights, which is last season's 2025 edition. Its date is last year's, and it says you won't see real animals at night; for 2026 the zoo is keeping the Children's Zoo Farmyard (from 3 pm), the World of Darkness and the World of Reptiles open during Holiday Lights.
For a personal care assistant ticket, reserve the main guest's ticket first, then email guestrelations@wcs.org with the order number (subject: PCA admission). The zoo recommends writing at least 7 days ahead, and PCA tickets can't be added after you've bought tickets. WCS members email membership@wcs.org or call 718-220-5112. Other visit-planning questions go to Guest Relations, guestrelations@wcs.org or 718-220-5103.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Bronx Zoo
Louder, in the zoo's words
Bug Carousel (Headphone Zone, open all year) (noisy, and people tend to linger)not stated
Children's Zoo (Headphone Zone, seasonal) (noisy, and people tend to linger)not stated
Wild Asia Monorail (Headphone Zone, May to October) (noisy, and people tend to linger)not stated
Budgie Landing (Headphone Zone, seasonal) (noisy, and people tend to linger)not stated
Quieter, in the zoo's words
Rhino Garden (Quiet Zone)quiet zone
Zebra Hill (Quiet Zone)quiet zone
The area next to the Bears (Quiet Zone)quiet zone
Prices: the winter Bronx Zoo Admission ticket (through Mar 25 2027, includes the Star Attractions open that day) is $28.95 for adults 13 and up, $26.95 for seniors 65 and up, $20.95 for children 3 to 12, and free for 2 and under. It uses flex pricing, so the price can change by date, and buying online ahead costs less than buying on the day. Limited Admission is free all day on Wednesdays with an advance ticket (released Mondays at 5 pm, until Wednesday at 2 pm or until full); Star Attractions are then $7 each, or buy the discounted Wednesday Admission ticket that includes them.
Discounts: active US military and veterans get a free Bronx Zoo Admission or Limited Admission ticket and 50% off for up to 3 guests, booked ahead with a promo code; the military member must be there with valid ID, and the group must arrive together. Without the military member, spouses or other family members get only the 50% discount, with an Active Dependent Card shown at entry. Museum Council passholders get two free Limited Admission tickets at the gate, and NYC undergraduate college students get free Limited Admission at the gate; neither offer is valid for Holiday Lights. The zoo has no discount for EBT or SNAP cardholders and does not accept the Cool Culture Family Pass. Groups of 10 or more: wcsgroupsales@wcs.org.
Refunds: all ticket sales are final, with no refunds, cancellations or rescheduling, and no rain checks for weather or animal visibility. For extenuating circumstances you can contact 800-433-4149 or onlinetickets@wcs.org, but a new date isn't guaranteed and you pay the difference if it costs more.
Getting there: all-day parking is $22 for a car and $24 for a bus; Weekend Preferred Parking at Fountain Circle is $30. Lots can fill on peak days (holidays, school breaks, nice weekends). The zoo suggests the BxM11 express bus, Metro-North, or the 2 or 5 train to West Farms Square/E Tremont Ave, E 180 St or Pelham Parkway. Guests with mobility concerns are advised to use the Southern Boulevard entrance.
Rules: everyone 17 and under must be with an adult 18 or older. No scooters, skateboards, bicycles or balloons; radios and speakers aren't allowed, and no playing ball. Bags may be inspected. No pets; working service dogs check in with Admissions. Stroller parking is required at many indoor exhibits, including JungleWorld, Congo Gorilla Forest, Madagascar!, World of Reptiles, Mouse House, Bug Carousel and Nature Trek. On days with high wind or below 35 degrees, some outdoor exhibits may not be open, and animals such as tigers and snow leopards may not be on view. Outdoor water fountains are closed November to April; the bottle filling station at the Dancing Crane Café is open all year.
Rentals and help: single strollers $16.32, double $21.76; manual wheelchairs are free, first come, first served at any gate; electric convenience vehicles $54.43 at the Southern Boulevard gate only. If your child needs to stay in a stroller inside an indoor exhibit, contact Guest Relations ahead about a Guest Assistance Card. First Aid is next to the Bronx Zoo Store; in an emergency call Security at 718-220-5063. Lost and Found is in the Security Department in the Education building on Astor Court, 718-220-5128.
Holiday Lights 2026 runs on select nights: Nov 21 and 22, Nov 27 to 29, Dec 3 to 6, Dec 10 to 13, Dec 17 to 23 and Dec 26 to 31 2026, and Jan 2 and 3 2027. Holiday Lights needs its own ticket, bought online ahead: date-specific tickets are $37.95 adults, $32.95 seniors, $22.95 children 3 to 12 (Deal Days on Dec 3, 10 and 17 are $29.95, $24.95 and $14.95), Any-Night tickets $42.95, $37.95 and $27.95; 2 and under free. Discounts: active military and veterans get a free date-specific Holiday Lights ticket and 50% off for up to 3 guests (book ahead with the promo code; the military member must be there with ID, and the group must stay together on arrival; not transferable to spouses and not for Any-Night tickets); NYC undergraduate college students get 30% off date-specific tickets (one discount per transaction); WCS members get up to 25% off for the people on the membership; Zoos, Zoos PLUS and Legacy members get in free on Member preview days, and Conservation Supporters, Conservation Fellows, Conservation Partners, Patrons and Heritage Circle members get in free every night. Free member entry needs a ticket reserved ahead (preview days too), covers only the people on the membership (every other guest needs a regular ticket), and members show their membership card and photo ID at entry. All sales are final. Arrival is from 1 pm to 8 pm and the park closes at 9 pm. On every Holiday Lights night you can borrow a KultureCity sensory bag (ID hold, back by 8:30 pm) and use the indoor Quiet Area in the Administration West building next to the Sea Lion Pool, 5 to 8 pm. The zoo warns that some areas may have intense audio, UV lighting, very low visibility, strobe lights or fog. Holiday Lights is not free on Wednesdays.
Call
718-220-5103Guest Relations (visit planning, accessibility questions)800-433-4149Reservation Center (tickets, Holiday Lights tickets)718-220-5063Security, in an emergency
Email
guestrelations@wcs.orgGuest Relations (also personal care assistant tickets and sensory night questions)
