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1. Know Your Bronx Zoo Entry Points

The Bronx Zoo is too big to experience in one day, so for maximum efficiency map out your route in advance, including where to enter. The Southern Boulevard Gate, on the west end of the zoo, is your best entry point if you plan to visit the Children's Zoo, Madagascar, and the Zoo Center to the left or the Bug Carousel and World of Reptiles to the right. Special events like the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights are best reached from this entrance, too.

Enter through the Asia Gate at the south end of the zoo for the Wild Asia Monorail (the only way to see elephants and red pandas), Jungle World, and the Nature Trek.

On the north side, you'll find the Fordham Road Gate, featuring Fountain Circle and quick access to the Sea Lion Pool, Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary, and Birds of Prey.

The Bronx River Gate, on the east end of the zoo, is close to the World of Birds and Tiger Mountain. This entrance is the jumping-off point for Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo, too.

Parking is available at all entry gates; however, Fountain Circle at the Fordham Road Gate—considered premium parking—is extremely limited and more expensive than the other lots. The Zoo Shuttle is another way to zip between exhibits, but keep in mind, that it runs daily only from April to August (except Wednesdays) and on weekends and holidays in September, October, and early November.

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The Bronx Zoo is too big to see in one day, but no matter where you look there are impressive animals to see. 

2. Make Time to See Some "Extras"

You might accuse me of being the Bronx Zoo's No. 1 fan, but I love all the exhibits, and I do think the extras—dubbed star attractions—are worth the money. The Congo Gorilla Forest is a must-see, so work it in if it's your first visit. Beyond the majestic animals, the exhibit is painstakingly designed to inform visitors about the animals' natural habitats and the threats they face, as well as offer information on how we can all help keep them safe in the wild. Some parts may be harsh for the littlest visitors (i.e. the image of a severed gorilla's head), but can be passed easily without younger kids seeing and are important conversation starters for older kids.

The Children's Zoo is also fantastic, from the farmyard and other animals to the little whimsical touches and play areas that make it fun for little ones. If your kids can't get enough of feeding animals, consider a visit to the recently added, Budgie Landing, where 1,000 free-flying birds await your Popsicle sticks full of seeds!

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My kids spent more time playing in the Nature Trek than they did looking at animals! 

The Nature Trek, which opened in 2017, is a wonderful addition to the zoo—winding paths, swaying bridges, and large tunnels are interwoven in the treetops, offering a bird's eye view for young visitors. There's nothing too scary or too fast, and there's even a lower level for leery toddlers to navigate. Beyond that, little ones will delight in the nature play zone, an interactive nature-themed play area where kids can build nests (or forts!), make animal tracks in the sand, and more. Nature Trek Play Partners are always on hand to facilitate the activities and encourage creative and exploratory play.

3. Visit the Bronx Zoo During the Off Season

The Bronx Zoo is open year-round, and fall and winter are great times to visit. It's less crowded, and some animals can be more active in cooler temperatures. Plus, if it's too cold to enjoy the outdoors, you can warm up inside at exhibits such as JungleWorld, World of Reptiles, and the Mouse House, where, aside from mice, you can gawk at the adorable fennec fox, chinchilla, and more.

RELATED: 40 Best NYC Attractions To Visit with Kids

Budgies are free to eat from guests' food-covered Popsicle sticks in this Bronx Zoo exhibit. 

4. Know What's Open at the Bronx Zoo

Many exhibits are open year-round; however, some are only open during warmer seasons. The Butterfly Garden, the Children's Zoo, Wild Asia Monorail, Budgie Landing, and Zoo Shuttle are seasonal operations.

Some animals, like those in the African Plains exhibit, will not be outside during the coldest months. Check info on the specific exhibits you want to see before heading out so you're not left disappointed.

RELATED: NYC Museum Guide: Best Exhibits for Kids

Enjoy October's annual Boo at the Zoo festivities. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher

5. Save the Date for Holiday Events

October is one of my favorite times to visit the Bronx Zoo. Test-drive your Halloween costumes at the annual Boo at the Zoo, which transforms an already fun-filled zoo into a Halloween lover's paradise. Enjoy seasonal fun like interactive costume parades, pumpkin carving demonstrations, a hay maze, magic shows, candy trails, an "extinct animal graveyard," and so much more. Come back after hours to witness the evenings-only Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo.

Wintertime means the spectacular Holiday Lights exhibit brightens the season. Enjoy beautiful animal-shaped lanterns, LED light displays, and roving performers, plus fun seasonal eats and entertainment.

6. Bronx Zoo Wild Encounters

If you've got a kid who is crazy about animals, the Bronx Zoo has an ever-growing roster of Wild Encounters that make a great addition to a Bronx Zoo visit or a celebration-worthy experience gift.

You can book everything from private tours of the Bronx Zoo to giraffe feeding encounters or visit the animal ambassador center for a small-group experience where you meet some of the zoo's special residents.

7. Picnics and More Food Options at the Bronx Zoo

While food, snacks, and beverages (mostly your standard nuggets, fries, and burgers) are available for purchase, outside food is permitted at the Bronx Zoo. Sandwiches and fresh cold fruit go a long way on hot summer days and my kids like parking on a bench near their favorite animals while they refuel and hydrate.

If you prefer a table, the Dancing Crane Cafe is open year-round and has indoor seating plus an outdoor pavilion with tables overlooking a marsh. Other cafe areas and food stands are open seasonally, some with tables.

8. Know Your Bronx Zoo History

A trip to the iconic Bronx Zoo is more enjoyable if you have a few fun facts up your sleeve.

With the opening of its African Plains exhibit in 1941, the Bronx Zoo was the first zoo in the country to create an environment that closely resembles the native animals' natural habitat. Rather than cages, animals—including predators and prey—roam on relatively open terrain. Lions, wild dogs, zebras, gazelles, and other animals share the same habitat, safely separated by cleverly designed and hidden moats. This design remains today, having paved the way for similar, more humane practices in zoos across the nation.

Architecture buffs can appreciate that many areas of the zoo are officially designated as landmarks, including the Rainey Gate entrance on Fordham Road and the entire area beyond, all the way to the far end of Astor Court. This includes Rockefeller Fountain (more on that below). A unique historic landmark at the zoo, the Rocking Stone, even dates back to the Ice Age! Weighing 30 tons and reaching about 7 feet high, it's a glimpse into our ancient past.

9. Visit Rockefeller Fountain

The stunning three-tiered marble fountain located at the Bronx Zoo's Fountain Circle in Astor Court on the north end of the zoo dates back to the late 1800s and was constructed in Como, Italy. Featuring a swan on the top tier and sea creatures ranging from seahorses and dolphins to mermaids and mermen, the fountain was purchased by William Rockefeller and presented as a gift to New York City. It was installed at the Bronx Zoo in 1903 and moved to its present location in 1910. Designated as a New York City landmark in 1968, the Rockefeller Fountain is worth checking out.

10. Bronx Zoo Tickets

The Bronx Zoo currently requires all guests to purchase timed-entry tickets in advance of visiting. Guests can opt for a limited admission ticket or an all-inclusive Bronx Zoo admission ticket. Flex pricing means Bronx Zoo admission ticket prices fluctuate due to demand on a particular date and the zoo suggests planning in advance to lock in the lowest admission price option.

There is plenty to see with a limited admission ticket to the Bronx Zoo, including bears, lions, tigers, giraffes, and sea lion feedings, as well as many indoor exhibits such as Madagascar, the Zoo Center, Birds of Prey, and more. However, there are additional fees if you plan to enjoy the Bronx Zoo's star attractions, including riding the Zoo Shuttle, Wild Asia Monorail, and Bug Carousel or visiting the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Children's Zoo, the Butterfly Garden, JungleWorld, and the Nature Trek. These entry fees can add up to more than a Bronx Zoo Admission ticket, which allows unlimited access to star attractions.

11. When Is the Bronx Zoo Free and More Admission Deals

The Bronx Zoo offers FREE limited admission tickets on Wednesdays. Visitors must log onto the ticketing website beginning at 5pm the Monday before to book Wednesday tickets, however.

There are also generous ticket discounts for active-duty or reserve members of the military and undergraduate students.

12. Bronx Zoo Membership

If you plan to visit the Bronx Zoo often, a Bronx Zoo membership might make sense for your family. There are a variety of Bronx Zoo membership packages available, and all include admission to the Bronx Zoo plus the Central Park Zoo, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Queens Zoo. Join as a Land & Sea member for admission to the New York Aquarium, too. It's easily one of our favorite membership deals for families.

13. Getting to the Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is located at 2300 Southern Boulevard. It is open seven days a week year-round, with a few holiday exceptions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day), and is easily accessible via public transit. Follow the signs (and strollers) as you exit the subway. Check the zoo's website for details on hours and admission.

Originally published in September 2016.

Unless noted, photos by Jody Mercier