Bronx Zoo

"With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better." - Melissa Liebling-Goldberg, Alex Erdekian

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? With more than 700 different species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Any standout features or must-sees? Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, and the flamingos in the sea bird aviary. And the sea lions always make for an exciting show. Was it easy to get around? The grounds are enormous, but there's a shuttle that loops between various points of interest. The grounds have plenty of signs, places to sit down and regroup, and bathrooms. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? For lack of a better metaphor, this place is a zoo. If you're looking for a quiet and meditative way to spend a few hours, skip it. But if you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better." - Andrea Whittle

"Open since the end of the 19th-century, this world-class zoo—at 265 acres, one of the largest on the globe—is home to animals from the far reaches of the planet, including several endangered species and many now thriving rescues. While the idea of keeping animals in captivity can be troubling, we take comfort in the almost true to life quality of the animal's habitats, and the fact that the zoo contributes to important research and the protection of wild animals."

"The little animals in your family will love spending the day at the largest urban zoo in the country. At 265 acres, it’s best to choose the attractions the family will want to see and plan accordingly — you can even rent single or double strollers for when short legs tire out. Plan on getting there when it opens or check the zoo website for special pre-opening programs such as breakfast with penguins or big cats. Speaking of food, everyone can feed the mini Nubian goats, donkeys, and sheep at the Children’s Zoo farmyard. Note that the only way to see some of the most popular animals—the Asian elephants, rhinos, and red pandas—is on the Wild Asia Monorail, a 20-minute ride (open seasonally). And for something to tire out older kids, there's an aerial ropes course and a 400-foot zip line over the Bronx River." - Sunshine Flint