How long does it take to see Prospect Park Zoo?

1.5-2 hours is plenty for most families. The zoo is intentionally small and designed for short attention spans.

Is Prospect Park Zoo really pay-what-you-wish on Wednesdays?

Yes — Wednesday afternoons (check the website for exact hours) are pay-what-you-wish for all visitors. It can get busier than usual, so arrive early.

Is Prospect Park Zoo stroller-friendly?

Yes. All paths are paved and accessible. The zoo is flat, which makes it easier than most NYC attractions with a stroller.

How does Prospect Park Zoo compare to the Central Park Zoo?

Prospect Park Zoo is less crowded, more kid-focused, and has the superior Discovery Trail. Central Park Zoo has the penguins and snow leopard. For kids under 7, Prospect Park wins.

Prospect Park Zoo

Name: Prospect Park Zoo
Address: 450 Flatbush Avenue, New York City, NY, 11225, US
Telephone: (718) 399-7339
Rating: 4.4

Rating

4.4(4,800)

Family of 4

$40-$50 (2 adults + 2 kids)

Duration

1.5-2.5 hours

Best Ages

1-8

About

If you have kids under 7 and you're debating between the Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo, go to Prospect Park. The Bronx Zoo is wonderful but it's massive, exhausting, and far from most of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Prospect Park Zoo is small by design — 12 acres — and built specifically for young children. You'll actually enjoy yourself instead of pushing a stroller uphill for 4 hours.

The zoo is organized around a central sea lion pool with exhibits radiating outward. The Discovery Trail is the standout for kids: a winding path with hands-on elements including a tunnel that puts you inside the prairie dog enclosure. The barn has domestic animals for petting and feeding.

The rainforest building (Hall of Animals) is a warm, humid indoor space with frogs, snakes, and birds — perfect for winter visits.

The vibe here is decidedly neighborhood. You'll see the same Brooklyn parents with their kids week after week, especially on Wednesday pay-what-you-wish afternoons. It's not trying to be a comprehensive zoological experience — it's trying to be the best possible two hours with a small child and an animal, and it succeeds.

After the zoo, the Prospect Park Carousel is steps away ($2/ride), the Prospect Park Lake is right there for duck-watching, and Flatbush Avenue has a dozen family-friendly restaurants within walking distance. It's an easy half-day outing that doesn't require military-grade logistics.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

true

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings right at 10 AM opening; animals are most active in the morning

Wait Times

Minimal — rarely more than 5 minutes even on weekends

Nearby Food

["Nacho Macho Taco on Flatbush Ave (5 min walk, kid-friendly, affordable)","The Castello Plan on Vanderbilt Ave (10 min walk, excellent brunch)","Prospect Park Smorgasburg on Sundays (seasonal, right next to the zoo)"]

Why Kids Love It

Prospect Park Zoo is what the Central Park Zoo should be — small enough to actually see everything with a toddler, uncrowded enough that you're not fighting strollers the entire time, and designed specifically for young children. The Discovery Trail section lets kids walk through a prairie dog tunnel and pop up inside a bubble in the middle of the prairie dog exhibit. Kids absolutely lose it.

The barn area with sheep, goats, and alpacas offers actual interaction — not just staring through glass. During feeding times, kids can get close enough to touch the animals (supervised). The sea lion pool is small but the daily feedings are engaging, and the red pandas are the kind of charismatic animal that makes a 4-year-old's entire week.

The entire zoo can be done in under 2 hours, which is exactly the right amount of time for the under-6 crowd. No one hits the wall here because you're done before the meltdown window opens. That's the real genius of this place.

Pro Tips from Parents

Time your visit to catch sea lion feedings (check daily schedule at entrance) — they're short but kids love them
The prairie dog tunnel on the Discovery Trail is the single best exhibit for toddlers; go there first before the line builds
Wednesday pay-what-you-wish is the best deal in Brooklyn — arrive by 10:30 AM for a smooth experience
Combine with the Prospect Park Carousel ($2/ride) right next to the zoo entrance
Skip the overpriced zoo cafe; walk 5 minutes to Flatbush Avenue for significantly better and cheaper food

What to Bring

Sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
Snacks
Camera for the red pandas

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$40-$50 (2 adults + 2 kids)

Tips to Save

["Wednesday afternoons are pay-what-you-wish (check website for current schedule)","WCS membership ($115) includes unlimited visits to all 5 NYC zoos and aquarium — pays for itself in 2-3 visits","Kids under 2 are free","Combine with a free visit to Prospect Park's LeFrak Center or Audubon Center"]