Zoos and wildlife parks to visit across New York state

New York state has animal attractions ranging from city zoos to a farm with walking trails. This round-up covers seven of them, in New York City and further upstate. To choose, think about how you will travel, whether you need a stroller or wheelchair, and whether you want to buy lunch or bring your own.

Central Park Zoo

This zoo is in Manhattan. Its animals include lemurs, crocodiles and sea lions.

Every visitor needs a date-specific ticket bought in advance, whichever day you go. There is no parking at the zoo itself, so plan to use nearby car parks or public transport.

It hosts children's birthday parties, along with catered events held among the animal exhibits.

Queens Zoo

This zoo is in Flushing Meadows, on a former World's Fair site. Its aviary sits inside a geodesic dome that was built as the Winston Churchill Pavilion for the fair.

Enter the park by the path near the Playground for All Children, at Corona Avenue and 111th Street.

Tickets are dated and valid for a single visit. Re-entry is not permitted, so take everything you need in with you. There is no parking at the zoo itself, only limited public car parks and street parking in the area.

Children's birthday parties are available.

Children's Zoo

This one is in the Bronx. The zoo covers more than 260 acres and has over 11,000 animals from more than 640 species, so allow plenty of time.

For families, it has:

• the Dancing Crane Café and the Bronx Zoo Store, both at Dancing Crane Plaza
• parking
• wheelchair access and pram-friendly routes
• birthday party packages for children

Much of the visit is outdoors. Strollers have to be parked outside some exhibits and attractions, including JungleWorld, Congo Gorilla Forest, World of Reptiles, the Mouse House, the Bug Carousel and Nature Trek.

Staten Island Zoo

This zoo has a Conservation Carousel as well as its animals, and it has indoor areas. It stays open in rain or snow.

The Zoo Café sells snacks such as pretzels and popcorn, and meals such as hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Vegetarian options include veggie burgers, plant-based nuggets and salads. You can also bring your own food and eat at the picnic tables under the covered pavilion or at the outside tables and benches. There are water refill stations around the zoo.

The zoo works with KultureCity to help and accommodate guests with sensory needs. There is parking on site.

Birthday parties are led by a zoo instructor and held in the Zoo Café.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

This zoo is at Burnet Park. It has more than 700 animals from 216 species, from tiny poison dart frogs to Asian elephants.

It is a breeding zoo, working with other accredited zoos to help conserve threatened and endangered species. There are free-flight demonstrations with birds of prey, and its zookeepers and educators run educational activities. The zoo also has green building status.

Utica Zoo

This zoo sits in Roscoe-Conkling Park, a larger recreational area that also has a recreation centre. It has more than 99 species of animals. One exhibit to look for is the outdoor white-handed gibbon enclosure, designed to resemble a rainforest.

Practical details for families:

• parking on site
• wheelchair access and pram-friendly paths
• strollers to hire at the main gate, in limited supply and first come, first served
• a few non-electric wheelchairs, which you can request at the ticket window or reserve ahead by phone
• a concession stand called Polly's for food

Birthday parties can be booked in the Zebra View Pavilion, another pavilion or an indoor classroom in the visitor centre. Some packages include animal presentations.

Muscoot Farm

This county park in Katonah began as a private dairy farm. It has livestock to see and more than 6 miles of trails for hiking and watching local wildlife.

Please do not pet or feed the animals. They are on prescribed diets and unfamiliar food can make them ill. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the property.

A typical visit lasts one to two hours, or longer if you bring lunch and explore the trails. Tractor-pulled hayrides run in spring, summer and autumn. The farm has a cafe, parking and a party room. Birthday parties are small, with a maximum of 30 people including adults, and no balloons.

Practical points before you go

• Tickets: Central Park Zoo needs date-specific tickets bought in advance. Queens Zoo tickets are for a single dated entry with no re-entry.
• Parking: there is none at Central Park Zoo or Queens Zoo. Children's Zoo, Staten Island Zoo, Utica Zoo and Muscoot Farm have parking.
• Strollers: expect to leave them outside some indoor exhibits at Children's Zoo. Hire strollers at Utica Zoo can run out.
• Food: the concession stand at Utica Zoo does not run all year, so check before relying on it. Staten Island Zoo and Muscoot Farm both suit a packed lunch.
• Seasons: opening hours at Central Park Zoo and Children's Zoo differ between the warmer months and winter. Hayrides at Muscoot Farm do not run in winter.
• Pets: leave dogs at home if you are heading to Muscoot Farm.