Continuing the animal theme of this trip, we decided to take the boys into NYC to visit the Bronx Zoo. Getting there from central New Jersey was possible using only public transportation but the trip would have been long and complicated, involving trains, subways, and buses. We decided to drive in, which was not without its own challenges, but we survived the George Washington Bridge and made it through the Bronx with only one interesting question about the surrounding area (“Mom, what are booty-enhancing jeans?”).
My sister and her family also drove in from NJ and my brother and his family came out from Manhattan. It was great to have all the cousins together on this adventure.
The zoo is, in a word, phenomenal. With 265 acres of land, over 4000 animals from more than 650 species make the zoo their home. It is easy to forget that you are in the middle of New York City when you are surrounded by acres and acres of animal habitats with no skyscrapers in sight. The zoo has been open for over a hundred years and does a fantastic job of keeping their exhibits fresh and current without compromising the zoo’s history and heritage. The buildings themselves are as much of an attraction as the animals. Many are official city landmarks and the detail and craftsmanship of the old stone sculptures that line the buildings are as impressive as the animals that live inside them.
We spent a good bit of time just wandering around the zoo. There was so much to see and we knew we’d never see it all so we just followed the kids’ lead as they ran excitedly from one exhibit to the next. There are 7 different experiences that you can add on for a small fee – either buy the Total Experience Ticket for an additional $6 over regular admission or pay for them individually as you go. We paid the extra $3 per person for the Congo Gorilla Forest and it was well worth it. (If you are going to do more than one extra experience, it makes sense to by the Total Experience Ticket.)
The gorilla forest was our favorite stop. The misty entrance leads you through a rain forest where you can spot some of the gorilla’s neighbors, like mandrils and red river hogs. Following the trail through the rain forest and past waterfalls, you eventually enter the Great Gorilla Forest. With only a glass wall separating us, we spent a lot of time observing the gorillas. There are 19 gorillas from two troops inhabiting the forest and we got to see everything from playful adults to napping babies. The exhibit also includes several informative displays and allows visitors the opportunity to select a conservation project to receive your entrance fee as a donation.
After some more wandering and observing of animals, we decided to high-tail it to the Wild Asia Monorail and made it on to one of the last rides of the day. The monorail gives you a unique perspective as you ride above the habitats and get to go deeper into the heart of the exhibits. Most zoo experiences have you as an outsider looking in, but this is an immersive experience that gives you more of an inside perspective, as you look down on the animals. Spotting a red panda in a tree mere feet away from us was the highlight of the ride for my boys. It was a great way to end our visit.
We spent 6 hours at the zoo and I felt like we barely scratched the surface. We cannot wait to go back.
