The Queens Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), located within Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your visit.
Updated May 2026. As of 3 March 2026, WCS members no longer need to make an advance reservation for regular daytime admission — a policy change not yet reflected in many other guides. Note also that tickets cannot be purchased at the gate: all visitors must book online before arriving.
Quick facts: Queens Zoo, New York City
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 53-51 111th Street, Corona, New York 11368 |
| Phone | (718) 271-1500 |
| Opening hours (Apr–Oct, Mon–Fri) | 10am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm) |
| Opening hours (Apr–Oct, weekends & federal holidays) | 10am–5:30pm (last entry 5pm) |
| Opening hours (Nov–Mar) | 10am–4:30pm daily (last entry 4pm) |
| Closed | Never — open 365 days a year |
| Adult ticket (ages 12+) | $10.95 |
| Child ticket (ages 3–12) | $7.95 |
| Children aged 2 and under | Free |
| Nearest subway | 7 train to 111th Street; or Mets–Willets Point |
| Parking | None on site |
| Typical visit duration | 1–1.5 hours |
Queens Zoo opening hours
The zoo is open every day of the year. Hours vary by season and by day of the week.
2 April – 31 October 2026:
- Monday to Friday: 10am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm; animal exhibits close 4:30pm)
- Weekends and federal holidays: 10am–5:30pm (last entry 5pm; animal exhibits close 5pm)
1 November 2026 – March 2027:
- Daily: 10am–4:30pm (last entry 4pm; animal exhibits close 4pm)
Last entry is 30 minutes before the zoo grounds close. Individual exhibit availability may vary due to weather, capacity, or animal care.
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Queens Zoo ticket prices
All tickets require a date-specific booking made in advance at queenszoo.com. Tickets cannot be purchased at the gate. Do not visit without a confirmed online booking.
| Visitor type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (ages 12+) | $10.95 |
| Children (ages 3–12) | $7.95 |
| Seniors (ages 65+) | $8.95 |
| Children (aged 2 and under) | Free |
All sales are final. There are no refunds, cancellations, or rescheduling for any reason, including bad weather.
Discounts and passes:
- US Military and Veterans: Active military receive a complimentary ticket for themselves, plus 50% off for up to three guests. Use promo code MILITARYCITY (active) or VETERANCITY (veterans) at checkout. Military ID required on entry.
- Cool Culture cardholders: Up to five complimentary tickets with promo code COOLC at checkout.
- Museum Council passholders: Two complimentary tickets with promo code MUSEUM at checkout.
- WCS Membership: Covers free year-round admission to all five WCS parks in New York. As of 3 March 2026, members no longer need a reservation for regular daytime visits.
The Queens Zoo is not currently part of the Go City New York pass or CityPass.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to the Queens Zoo
The zoo sits inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park in north-central Queens. Public transport is recommended; there is no on-site parking.
By subway: Take the 7 train to the 111th Street station (also signed as Mets–Willets Point area). The zoo entrance on 111th Street is a short walk from the station.
By bus: The Q58 bus stops on Corona Avenue, close to the zoo entrance on 111th Street.
By car: There is no parking lot at the Queens Zoo itself. Parking is available within Flushing Meadows Corona Park at a number of surface lots. GPS navigation to “Queens Zoo” may route to the pedestrian entrance; navigate instead to Flushing Meadows Corona Park and walk to the zoo.
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Parking at the Queens Zoo
There is no dedicated parking at the zoo. Free surface parking is available in the wider Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Lots can fill on busy weekends and event days — the park hosts Citi Field, the USTA Tennis Center, and other major venues. Mass transit is strongly recommended.
How long to spend at the Queens Zoo
Most visitors spend one to one and a half hours at the zoo. The site covers 18 acres with a compact, circular layout that makes it easy to see all exhibits in a single visit without doubling back.
Accessibility at the Queens Zoo
The zoo site is largely flat and paved. A limited number of free wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Guest Relations at [email protected] (at least seven days before your visit) or call 718-220-5103 for accessibility assistance. There are no lockers or stroller rentals on site; visitors may bring their own strollers.
Inside the Queens Zoo: what to see
The Queens Zoo focuses exclusively on species from North and South America, making its animal collection distinct from other WCS parks.
Sea Lion Pool is the central feature of the zoo. California sea lions are fed three times daily at 11:15am, 2pm, and 4pm. The circular layout of the zoo means all paths pass the pool, making it easy to plan your visit around feeding times.
Wild Side is the main outdoor exhibit area, housing American bison, Roosevelt elk, pronghorn, Chacoan peccaries, and pudú — the world’s smallest deer species. Andean (spectacled) bears are also here; the Queens Zoo is the only zoo in New York City that exhibits this species.
Walkabout Australia / Geodesic Dome Aviary is a walk-through structure housing thick-billed parrots, macaws, and other birds. The geodesic dome was originally built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair and is one of the zoo’s most distinctive architectural features. American alligators are present seasonally.
North America section includes pumas, Canada lynx, snowy owls, coywolves, bald eagles, and sandhill cranes in naturalistic outdoor enclosures.
Children’s Farm is a petting and feeding area with domestic animals including sheep and alpacas. It is well suited to young children and is reportedly the largest petting area of any tri-state zoo.
Practical visitor tips for the Queens Zoo
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book before you arrive | There is no ticket sales at the gate. All visitors must book a date-specific ticket online at queenszoo.com before visiting. Arriving without a valid booking means you will not be admitted. |
| Time your visit around sea lion feedings | Feedings at 11:15am, 2pm, and 4pm are the zoo’s most popular moments. The circular layout means you can easily return to the pool between exhibits. |
| Park carefully | GPS directions to “Queens Zoo” sometimes route to a pedestrian entrance rather than the nearest parking. Navigate to Flushing Meadows Corona Park and follow signs. The 7 train to 111th Street is the most reliable option. |
| Combine with the park | Flushing Meadows Corona Park is directly accessible from the zoo exit and includes the Unisphere, Queens Museum, NY Hall of Science, and open green space — all free to visit. |
| Tickets are non-refundable | No refunds or rescheduling are offered under any circumstances, including rain. Check the forecast before booking. |
Frequently asked questions about the Queens Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Queens Zoo suitable for young children? | Yes. The children’s farm with domestic animals, compact circular layout, and short visit duration make it well suited to families with young children. Children under 2 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Queens Zoo? | Yes — all tickets must be booked online before visiting. There is no on-site ticket purchase. Do not go without a confirmed booking. |
| Is the Queens Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes. The zoo is open every day of the year, with extended hours on weekends from April to October. |
| Is there parking at the Queens Zoo? | There is no dedicated parking at the zoo. Surface parking is available in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which can fill on busy days. The 7 subway train is recommended. |
| Does the Queens Zoo accept Cool Culture Family Pass? | Yes. Cool Culture cardholders can claim up to five complimentary tickets using promo code COOLC when booking online in advance. |
Things to do near the Queens Zoo
Flushing Meadows Corona Park (surrounding the zoo, free) is one of New York City’s largest parks, with open lawns, boating lakes, and several major attractions across its 897 acres.
The Unisphere (within Flushing Meadows, free) is a 43-metre stainless steel globe that served as the centrepiece of the 1964 World’s Fair. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Queens and a short walk from the zoo entrance.
Queens Museum (within Flushing Meadows, ticketed) is an art and design museum best known for its Panorama of the City of New York — a 9,335-square-foot scale model of all five boroughs.
New York Hall of Science (47-01 111th Street, directly adjacent to the park, ticketed) is a hands-on science museum with an outdoor science playground, suitable for children and families.
Citi Field (41 Seaver Way, within the park) is home to the New York Mets baseball team. The stadium hosts regular-season games from April to October and is an easy walk or short cab ride from the zoo.
What to visit tomorrow: other zoos and aquariums near Queens
Bronx Zoo (Bronx, ~30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by subway) is North America’s largest urban zoo, covering 265 acres with over 4,000 animals. Managed by WCS; a WCS membership covers both sites.
Central Park Zoo (Manhattan, ~30 minutes by subway) is a compact 6.5-acre WCS zoo in the heart of Central Park, featuring sea lions, snow leopards, penguins, and a tropical rainforest. Also managed by WCS.
Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn, ~45 minutes by subway or car) is a 12-acre WCS zoo with sea lions, red pandas, river otters, Hamadryas baboons, and a barnyard.
New York Aquarium (Coney Island, Brooklyn, ~50 minutes by subway) is New York City’s only public aquarium, also managed by WCS, with sharks, sea otters, penguins, sea lions, and an outdoor Aquatheater.
Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange, NJ, ~1 hour by car) is an independently operated zoo with over 200 species including sea lions, red pandas, otters, and a South American exhibit. Well suited to families as a full-day outing.
More New York City travel
Other New York City travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to pay less for Empire State Building tickets and get cheaper tickets for Summit One Vanderbilt.
- Plan your visit to the Top of the Rock observation deck and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- Visit the Fraunces Tavern Museum and the Charging Bull Sculpture in Lower Manhattan.
- What to expect at the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86, Manhattan.
- Plan your visit to the National Museum of Mathematics in Manhattan.
