Discover New Jersey's diverse collection of zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries, featuring world-class exhibits from Cape May to Bergen County. With three FREE admission zoos and multiple AZA-accredited facilities, New Jersey offers exceptional wildlife experiences for families and animal lovers.
Zoos & Aquariums
FREE Admission Zoos
Major Aquariums
AZA Accredited
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange
Voted #1 Zoo in New Jersey featuring over 1,400 animals representing 200+ species from every continent except Antarctica.
Route 9 & Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House
Completely FREE admission to 550+ animals representing 250 species on 85 wooded acres. Rated 5th best zoo in the USA by TripAdvisor.
1 Riverside Drive, Camden
Top 10 U.S. aquarium (USA Today, Newsweek, Conde Nast Traveler) featuring 15,000+ aquatic animals in 2 million gallons of water.
218 Route 519, Sussex (Wantage Township)
100-acre zoo and museum complex with 500+ live wild animals plus extensive antique collection spanning nearly a century.
Location: 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052
About: Founded in 1963, Essex County's premier zoo features approximately 1,400 animals including several hundred birds in a free-flight aviary. Participates in AZA Species Survival Plan programs for endangered species including Masai giraffes, Amur leopards, and jaguars.
Exhibits: African Adventure (Masai giraffes, eland, ostriches, bontebok), Amazing Asia (Amur leopards, red pandas, cloud leopards, gibbons), Shores of Africa (African penguins), Reptile House (Eastern hellbender, Lake Titicaca frog, African dwarf crocodile), Essex Farm (petting zoo)
Attractions: Endangered species carousel ($3/ride), miniature train (April-November), pony rides, petting zoo
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM (off-season), 10 AM - 4:30 PM (April-October), Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
Admission: Adults (13+) $22, Kids (2-12) $19, Seniors $19, Under 24 months FREE (plus $2 processing fee per ticket)
Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly pathways, accessible restrooms, service animals welcome, train ride wheelchair accessible
Conservation: Contributes nearly $200,000 annually to conservation initiatives, partners with Sea Turtle Recovery, participates in AZA SAFE Jaguar program
Location: Route 9 & Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
About: Completely FREE admission zoo featuring 550+ animals representing 250+ species on 85 wooded acres. Rated 13th best zoo in the world and 5th best in the USA by TripAdvisor (2015). Participates in AZA Species Survival Plan programs including snow leopards and mountain bongo antelopes.
Animals: Snow leopards (Walter Trettin Snow Leopard Habitat), Bengal tigers, black-headed ibises, dromedary camels, golden lion tamarins, giraffes, monkeys, lions, zebras, buffalo, reptiles, birds
Attractions: Trackless train (tours zoo grounds), carousel with zoo animal seats, tree zip line course, playground, picnic areas, walking trails
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 4:30 PM (March 8 - October 31), 10 AM - 3:30 PM (November 1 - March 7), Closed Christmas, Weather permitting
Admission: FREE (donations recommended at entrance gate)
Parking: FREE for personal vehicles (first-come, first-serve), Bus parking: $80 full-size, $40 short buses
Accessibility: Stroller/wheelchair/scooter rentals available at Gift Shop (609-465-0971), service animals only
Conservation: Sent Mountain Bongo Antelope to Mount Kenya World Heritage Site in 2004 for captive breeding and reestablishment
Location: 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ (within Van Saun County Park)
About: "New World" zoo exhibiting wildlife from North and South America in well-maintained naturalistic habitats. Open year-round with FREE admission November 1 - Spring 2026 (winter season).
Animals: Baird's Tapirs, Andean Condors, American Alligators, Golden Lion Tamarins, South American Pampas, farm animals, exotic birds, bears, big cats
Attractions: Safari Express miniature railroad, carousel (April-October except Tuesdays), educational programs, Winter Wonderland event (November-January with ice rink, beer garden, Santa's Workshop)
Hours: 7 days a week 10 AM - 3:30 PM (last entry 3 PM), weather permitting; Train/carousel 10 AM - 5 PM (April 1 - November 26)
Admission: FREE (November 1, 2025 - Spring 2026); Regular season (May-October): Bergen County Residents: Kids $4, Adults $6, Seniors/Disabled $2; Non-residents: Kids $7, Adults $10, Seniors/Disabled $4; Under 3 always FREE
Rides: Train $3/person, Carousel $3/person (children under 42" must have paying adult)
Accessibility: Stroller rentals $5 deposit (refundable), service animals only (no pets), NJ Transit bus lines 168 and 752
Contact: 201-634-3100 or [email protected]
Location: 218 Route 519, Sussex, NJ 07461 (Beemerville section of Wantage Township)
About: Established in 1927, this unique 100-acre complex combines a wildlife zoo with an extensive antique museum, offering educational fun for all ages.
Animals: 500+ live wild animals including lions, tigers, bears, leopards, jaguars, lemurs, buffalo, kangaroos, monkeys, llamas, hyenas, snakes, sheep, deer, goats, pigs, plus free-roaming chickens, ducks, and geese
Museum: 9 large museum buildings featuring 50+ antique cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages, sleighs, antique dolls, one of the largest private antique firearms collections, old farm machinery, Indian artifacts
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 5 PM (last admission 4 PM)
Admission: Adults (13-64) $15 plus tax, Kids (3-12) $10.50 plus tax, Seniors (65+) $14 plus tax, Under 3 FREE, Group rates and season passes available
Amenities: Large picnic area, playground, Extreme Pizza restaurant, animal access areas for feeding farm animals
Contact: 973-875-5800
Location: Humane Way, Forked River, NJ (Lacey Township, Ocean County)
About: Established in 1977, this 7-acre non-profit sanctuary provides a permanent home for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused, or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals, and birds. Part of Associated Humane Societies (founded 1906).
Animals: 200+ animals and birds including big cats, primates, bobcats, black bears, camels, wallabies, and many rescued exotic animals. Wildlife that can be released returns to natural habitat; those with compromised abilities receive permanent care.
Mission: Sanctuary for animals that cannot survive in the wild, providing spacious accommodations in the scenic Pine Barrens
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: Adults $10, Kids (3-11) $5, Under 3 FREE
Programs: Educational programs about animals and their environments, separate adoption building with rescued dogs and cats
Rules: No feeding of animals (policy since 2022)
Location: Jackson, NJ (part of Six Flags Great Adventure)
About: The largest drive-through safari outside of Africa! Board open-air vehicles for a 45-minute interactive journey with your guide.
Experience: 4.5-mile trail featuring 1,200 animals from six continents, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and lions
Format: Drive-through safari experience with guided tours
New Jersey features three excellent zoos offering completely FREE admission year-round, providing exceptional wildlife experiences without the cost.
550+ animals, 250 species
Cape May Court House
Rated 5th best zoo in USA by TripAdvisor. AZA accredited with Species Survival Plan participation.
Hours: 10 AM - 4:30 PM (summer), 10 AM - 3:30 PM (winter)
Donations welcome to keep admission free
100+ animals, 45 species
45 Mayor Aitken Drive, Bridgeton
New Jersey's first zoo (established 1934). Municipal-run facility featuring Bengal tigers, African servals, White-handed gibbon. Mostly rescued animals from poaching, illegal transport, or former pets.
Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM (fall/winter), 9 AM - 5 PM (spring/summer), Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas
Amenities: FREE parking, wheelchair/stroller accessible, outside food/drink allowed, splash park, mini golf, basketball courts nearby
North & South American wildlife
216 Forest Ave, Paramus
FREE admission November 1, 2025 through Spring 2026 (winter season when many animals are housed indoors).
Regular Season Admission: Bergen County Residents: Kids $4, Adults $6; Non-residents: Kids $7, Adults $10; Always FREE under 3
Hours: 10 AM - 3:30 PM daily
Location: 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
About: Named a TOP 10 U.S. aquarium by USA Today, Newsweek, Conde Nast Traveler, and U.S. News & World Report. Features 15,000+ aquatic animals in 2 million gallons of water.
Unique Features: Only aquarium in the world to exhibit Nile hippos, largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, one of only six U.S. facilities with Little Blue penguins
Exhibits: Shark Bridge (world's longest v-shaped), New Jersey's longest Shark Tunnel, Hippo Haven, Little Blue Beach (smallest penguin species), Ocean Realm (tong-feed sea turtles), Kaleidoscope Cove, three Touch Exhibits
Attractions: 3D Theater, VR experiences, up-close animal encounters, daily live shows
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM - 4 PM, Sat-Sun 9:30 AM - 5 PM (last entry 30-90 minutes before close)
Admission: Adults (13-64) $30.99-$49.99 (plan-ahead pricing), Military discounts available, FREE on birthday (box office only with proof of age)
Parking: On-site lot $10, or PATCO train to City Hall Station (10-minute walk)
Location: 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
About: Privately owned facility on the boardwalk, dedicated to educating the public on marine life and conservation since 1991.
Exhibits: Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, African penguins, American alligators, harbor seals, reptiles, monkeys, sloth
Animal Feedings: Seals (10:30 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM daily), Penguins (11 AM, 3:30 PM daily), Sharks (1:30 PM Mon/Wed)
Hours: Sun-Fri 10 AM - 5 PM, Sat 10 AM - 6 PM (off-season); Summer hours 10 AM - 10 PM; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
Admission: Adults (12+) $18, Seniors (65+) $13, Kids (3-11) $12, Under 2 FREE, Military $1 off per family member with ID
Recommended Visit: Allow minimum 1 hour
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
About: Year-round aquarium featuring over 25,000 gallons of water with diverse marine exhibits.
Exhibits: "Groman" (225 lb Loggerhead Sea Turtle), Tropical Reef with live coral and Fu Manchu Lionfish, Moon Jellies, Lobsters, Blue Crabs
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:30 AM - 6 PM (last admission 5:15 PM)
Location: American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, NJ
About: Features over 3,000 animals with unique themed attractions inside the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex.
Exhibits: City Under the Sea (panoramic views with "fishified" Manhattan landmarks), Urban Jungle (tropical oasis)
Format: Interactive educational experience
Location: Woodbridge, NJ
About: 24,000-square-foot hands-on global sea life education and entertainment experience emphasizing conservation.
Experience: Interactive petting zoo-style encounters, hand-feeding opportunities for sharks, stingrays, birds, and exotic animals
Journey: Travel from Caribbean to Mayan jungle, rainforest to Icelandic fishing village, Great Wall of China
Location: 1390 White Bridge Road, Millington, NJ 07946
One of the premier wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States, providing FREE care for injured and orphaned wild birds. Features state-of-the-art hospital facilities, exterior housing for several hundred birds, and education building.
Location: 4 Sawmill Road, Medford, NJ 08055
171-acre wildlife refuge with rehabilitation hospital (7,500 animals rehabilitated annually) and nature center. Features 184 wooded acres around Cedar Run Lake, outdoor live-animal compound, Elizabeth Woodford Environmental Education Center with hands-on exhibits, wooded nature trails.
Location: 3625 Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, NJ 08203
New Jersey's only marine mammal stranding facility (45+ years), dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of stranded or stressed marine mammals and sea turtles. Educational visitor center features artifacts and life-size replicas of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish native to Jersey shoreline.
Location: Basking Ridge, NJ (26 miles west of Times Square)
7,853-acre natural oasis with varied habitats supporting 244+ bird species. Important resting and feeding area for migratory waterfowl. Home to fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs, and wide variety of wildflowers and plants.
Location: Southern New Jersey coast
48,000+ acres of coastal habitat actively managed for migratory birds on Atlantic Flyway. Recorded 360+ bird species including waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, and seabirds. Wildlife Drive available for viewing.
Location: Bernardsville, NJ
298-acre sanctuary of woodland, field, and floodplain habitat supporting 200+ wildlife species throughout the year. Children can explore with naturalists and meet live animals at the center.
Location: New Jersey
Giving New Jersey's wildlife a second chance since 1986. Dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
Location: Columbia, NJ
Learn about endangered wolf species through Wolf Watch guided educational tours. View British Columbian, Timber, and Arctic wolves in their natural surroundings.
Location: Stone Harbor, NJ
21.5-acre sanctuary with hundreds of species of colonial wading birds and song birds. Four trails explore old growth maritime forest, ancient dune system, and bird nesting/feeding areas.
Location: Short Hills, NJ
Nature preserve and arboretum with educational programs and natural habitats.
Essentials: Comfortable walking shoes (expect hills at some zoos), plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, camera
Families: Stroller (or rent on-site), snacks, hand sanitizer, extra clothes for kids
Weather: Rain jacket or umbrella during uncertain weather, layers for temperature changes
Three New Jersey zoos offer completely FREE admission:
All three zoos also offer FREE parking, making them excellent budget-friendly family destinations.
Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange is voted the #1 zoo in New Jersey. With approximately 1,400 animals representing 200+ species, it offers world-class exhibits including African Adventure (Masai giraffes, elands, ostriches), Amazing Asia (Amur leopards, red pandas), and Shores of Africa (African penguins).
The zoo is AZA-accredited and participates in Species Survival Plan programs for endangered species. Additional attractions include an endangered species carousel, miniature train, petting zoo, and pony rides.
Cape May County Park & Zoo is another top choice, rated 5th best zoo in the USA and 13th in the world by TripAdvisor (2015). It features 550+ animals on 85 acres with completely FREE admission, making it unbeatable for value.
For aquariums, Adventure Aquarium in Camden ranks as a Top 10 U.S. aquarium (USA Today, Newsweek, Conde Nast Traveler) and is the only aquarium in the world to exhibit hippos.
Two New Jersey zoos are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participate in Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs:
1. Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange) - AZA-accredited facility participating in SSP programs for endangered species including Masai giraffes (bachelor herd of five males), Amur leopards, red pandas, and jaguars. The Zoological Society of New Jersey contributes nearly $200,000 annually to conservation initiatives. The zoo also participates in AZA SAFE Jaguar program and partners with Sea Turtle Recovery for sick and injured sea turtles.
2. Cape May County Park & Zoo (Cape May Court House) - AZA-accredited with participation in SSP programs for snow leopards (Kaba and Sabu, two male cubs) and mountain bongo antelopes. In 2004, the zoo sent a Mountain Bongo Antelope to Mount Kenya World Heritage Site to join a captive breeding population for future wild reestablishment.
AZA accreditation indicates the highest standards in animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. Nearly 500 animal programs are managed through AZA's cooperative system.
New Jersey zoo hours vary by facility and season:
Always check facility websites before visiting as hours may change seasonally or for special events. Weather may affect outdoor zoo operations.
No, pets are not permitted at any New Jersey zoos. All facilities prohibit pets to ensure the safety and well-being of zoo animals, prevent disease transmission, and maintain a calm environment for wildlife.
Exception: Trained service animals are welcome at all New Jersey zoos and aquariums. Service animals are defined as dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not considered service animals under ADA regulations and are generally not permitted.
If you have a service animal, contact the zoo in advance to learn about any specific requirements or accommodations. Most facilities provide accessible pathways for visitors with service animals.
Yes, all major New Jersey zoos are wheelchair accessible and designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges.
Accessibility features include:
Wheelchair and scooter rentals:
Contact individual zoos in advance if you have specific accessibility needs or questions about terrain and facilities.
New Jersey zoos feature diverse animal collections from around the world:
African Animals: Masai giraffes (Turtle Back), lions (Cape May, Space Farms), leopards (Turtle Back, Space Farms), African elephants (Six Flags Safari), zebras (Cape May), hippos (Adventure Aquarium - only in world), African penguins (Turtle Back, Jenkinson's)
Big Cats: Bengal tigers (Cape May, Cohanzick), Amur leopards (Turtle Back), jaguars (Turtle Back, Space Farms), snow leopards (Cape May), African servals (Cohanzick)
Primates: Golden lion tamarins (Bergen County, Cape May), red pandas (Turtle Back), gibbons (Turtle Back, Cohanzick), lemurs (Space Farms), monkeys (Popcorn Park, Jenkinson's)
Bears: Black bears (Turtle Back, Popcorn Park), grizzly bears, polar bears (may vary by season)
Birds: Andean condors (Bergen County), ostriches (Turtle Back), exotic birds (hundreds of species at Turtle Back free-flight aviary), black-headed ibises (Cape May)
Reptiles & Amphibians: American alligators (Bergen County, Jenkinson's), African dwarf crocodile (Turtle Back), Eastern hellbender, Lake Titicaca frog
Marine Life: Sharks (Adventure Aquarium, Jenkinson's), sea turtles (Adventure Aquarium, Atlantic City), Little Blue penguins (Adventure Aquarium), stingrays (SeaQuest), loggerhead sea turtle (Atlantic City - "Groman" at 225 lbs)
Unique Species: Baird's tapirs (Bergen County), kangaroos (Space Farms), wallabies (Popcorn Park), camels (Cape May, Popcorn Park), llamas (Space Farms), wolves (Lakota Wolf Preserve)
Each zoo specializes in different regions and conservation programs, so check individual zoo websites for current animal rosters and exhibit information.
Several New Jersey zoos offer exceptional experiences for families with young children:
1. Cape May County Park & Zoo - Best overall for young kids
2. Turtle Back Zoo - Most attractions for kids
3. Bergen County Zoo - Best for toddlers and preschoolers
4. Cohanzick Zoo - Best for budget-conscious families
5. SeaQuest Woodbridge - Best for interactive experiences
Tips for young children: Visit during weekday mornings for smaller crowds, bring stroller (or rent on-site), pack snacks and water, allow 2-3 hours for visit, check animal feeding times for best viewing opportunities.
Last updated on November 27, 2025