Prospect Park Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo is a 12-acre wildlife destination managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), nestled within the Children's Corner of Prospect Park along Flatbush Avenue. It's one of the most family-friendly zoos in New York City, especially well-suited for toddlers through elementary-age children.

The zoo's central hub is Sea Lion Court, where California sea lions put on daily training sessions (typically 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM weekdays, with an added 2:00 PM session on weekends — verify schedule on arrival). The Discovery Trail winds through a wooded outdoor path past red pandas, river otters, dingoes, tufted deer, emus, and prairie dogs. Two indoor exhibits — Animal Lifestyles and Hall of Animals — make the zoo a viable cold- or rainy-day option, featuring Pallas's cats, golden lion tamarins, poison dart frogs, and Vietnamese mossy frogs. The Barn and Garden area lets kids get up close with alpacas, miniature horses, and sheep, with animal feed available on-site.

Stroller access note: The main Flatbush Avenue entrance has stairs and is NOT stroller- or wheelchair-accessible. Families with strollers should use the south/Children's Corner entrance near the Prospect Park Carousel. A café, gift shop, and restrooms are on-site. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Children 2 and under are free. A WCS membership covers all four WCS borough zoos plus the NY Aquarium.