Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

“Had a fantastic time at the turtle back zoo!!! i went with my brother. we hadn’t been since we were little children and it was so much fun to rediscover the zoo as adults. i recommend getting there early, parking was free and we drove right in. no lines! which was fantastic. they had lots of different areas to see and it was a great time overall. a lovely day activity for any animal lovers.”

“This is a review for Christmas experience at the Zoo Wow… can’t believe I didn’t know about this despite living in NJ for 8 years! Turtle Back Zoo turns into a complete Christmas paradise after 5 PM, and it’s absolutely magical. I recently found out about this and, after seeing the lights and activities, I was genuinely impressed. During the holiday season, entry is free after 5 PM through sponsorship, which is a huge plus. Timings are 5 PM – 9 PM. Parts of the zoo remain open, so you can still see animals and birds like bison, giraffes, toucans, and more, which makes it extra special for kids. The entire park is beautifully lit with festive decorations and multiple Christmas trees. The area near the carousel looks amazing. For Kids’ Activities - There’s no shortage of fun for children- Face painting, Meet & greet with Santa (on specific days/times), Carousel rides, Pony rides etc… Food and beverages are well taken care of, like Starbucks or Zoo’s own food sections spread across the park Perfect for grabbing a warm drink while walking around. They also have private igloos available: You can rent for 4 hours that can accommodates up to 10 guests, Includes hot chocolate and snacks Its located in West Orange, Essex County Parking: Two multi-level parking garages—parking is hassle-free and well organized. Overall, it was an amazing 2–3 hour evening spent with friends. Festive, family-friendly, and surprisingly delightful. Highly recommended—especially if you have kids!”

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Magical Christmas Experience We visited Turtle Back Zoo during the Christmas season and it was a beautiful and very special experience. The zoo was decorated with lights and Christmas decorations that created a magical atmosphere, especially at dusk. It's a perfect activity to enjoy with the family and experience the spirit of Christmas. The tour is pleasant, well-organized, and safe, with plenty of opportunities for photos. The children enjoyed it immensely, and the adults did too. The staff was very friendly, and everything was well-maintained. An excellent option for creating unique Christmas memories, surrounded by nature and joy. 🎄 Highly recommended 🎄”

“You cannot beat the price per person on a weekend to enter this Very nice zoo! Stop by if you love animals and take a look at all the beautiful wildlife that lives here !! The zoo is very clean and the staff is so helpful and kind , consistently walking around the property to make sure the animals are good and the customers have any questions or concerns there is always a staff member near by , you can also pet and feed the cownose stingrays which is very cool! I highly recommend stopping in to this amazing zoo!”