List of All 12 Zoos in NJ | Where to Go To Get Up Close and Personal With Wildlife!
Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Whether you love tall, plant-eating giraffes or quirky pink flamingos, a zoo is sure to be exciting. Spend time with the family all while learning about wildlife and exotic species.... it can't get much better than that! New Jersey is home to twelve zoos, and we don't want you to miss any. We've added videos to most of the zoos, so you can an idea of what to expect at a glance before you go!
Unique Hands-on Experience with Wildlife!
What sets Rizzo's Wildlife World apart from other zoos in NJ is the hands-on, multi-sensory interactive experience they create for all guests! They also offer birthday party services, and will bring the animals to your location for a live animal show.
Rizzos Wildlife World
973-586-0444 | Morris CountyRizzo's Wildlife World is over 4,700 square feet with over 100 animals, including lizards, snakes, as well as other fun reptiles, and creatures! An educational center with lots to explore, all animal lovers will enjoy this zoo in Morris Count... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsAwesome Zoo to Bring Kids to in Northern NJ!
The efforts made by The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo to educate and inform the public about animals is outstanding. Their brand new Sea Turtle Recovery program includes a Turtle Rehabilitation Center for guests to see.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
973-731-5800 | Essex CountyThe Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in northern NJ has tons of exhibits for visitors to explore with exciting animals such as alligators, wolves, penguins, and so much more! The zoo also runs events, workshops, awareness weeks, and live animal presentations each mont... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsMini Zoo Located inside of an Educational Museum
The LIberty Science Center features two min-zoo exhibitions inside of their Jersey City location. The "Eat and Be Eaten" exhibit has animals like naked mole rats and cotton-top tamarin monkeys and explores how they have adapted to survive in the wild. The "Our Hudson Home" exhibit features a really awesome experience where guests can view and even touch some of the thousands of species living in the Hudson River.
Liberty Science Center
201-200-1000 | Hudson CountyLocated right inside of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ is a mini zoo with lots to learn about and explore! Some of the animals include naked mole rats, cotton-top tamarin monkeys, and leaf-cutter ant... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsCentral NJ Zoo Refuge for Injured Wildlife
The Popcorn Park Zoo is so unique because it was created specifically as a refuge for wildlife in need of care. The zoo has all kinds of exotic animals such as Bengal tigers, Pythons, many different types of monkies, and more. American wildlife includes an American black bear, cougars, bobcats, and more. There are also farm animals and birds on site for guests to view and interact with.
Popcorn Park Zoo
609-693-1900 | Ocean CountyThe Popcorn Park Zoo originally began as a place to shelter sick, elderly, abandoned, abused, or injured wildlife. Now over 200 of these animals and birds now call Popcorn Park Zoo their hom... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsA FREE Beach that is Close to the Beach in Cape May County NJ!
This zoo in southern NJ has over 550 animals to explore. The Cape May County Zoo takes great care in ensuring that animals are treated with respect and that visitors get the best education on their well-being. It is one of the most well-known and respected zoos in the state.
Cape May County Zoo
609-465-5271 | Cape May CountyAt the Cape May County Zoo, animals and guests alike are treated with the utmost respect. Guests get an educational look into the health and well-being of over 550 animals living within the zoo's 80 acre... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsA Great Small Zoo in Northern NJ!
What makes the Bergen County Zoological Park unique is that it only exhibits animals native to North and South America. Some of their animals include: mountain lions, bobcats, bald eagles, aquatic turtles, the American Elk, and so much more!
Bergen County Zoological Park
201-262-3771 | Bergen CountyThe Bergen County Zoo in Paramus NJ is home to many mammals, reptiles, fish, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. They even have pony rides, a carousel, and a Zoo Snack Ba... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsNew Jersey's First Ever Zoo
The Cohanzick Zoo began in 1934 as New Jersey's first ever zoo! While they are a smaller zoo, spanning across only 15 acres, they do have 45 species from all over the world to view and learn about. This is also a free zoo!
Cohanzick Zoo
856-455-3230 | Cumberland CountyThe Cohanzick Zoo is a small zoo that takes up approximately 15 acres, but they do have some really great large animals such as Holly the Asiatic black bear! This is a free zoo with nearly 100 animals from around the worl... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsTour a Natural Wolf Preserve in Northern NJ!
An experience of a lifetime awaits you at Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ. See wolves in their natural habitats and learn about their eating habits, social structure, and their impact on humans. The preserve also offers tours and photography sessions that include coming face to face with wolves!
Lakota Wolf Preserve
877-733-9653 | Warren CountyLakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia NJ is home to a small number of adult wolves, pups, bobcats, and foxes. The wolves are protected, preserved, respected, and cared for in an environment that reflects their natural surrounding... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsExperience New Jersey's Only Wildlife Safari!
The coolest part of the Safari Off Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ is Camp Aventura. Guests can extend their visit to the safari by hoppinf off the truck to zip line over the safari, feed giraffes by hand, or even pet some other fun animals.
Six Flags Wild Safari Drive Thru Adventure
732-928-1821 | Ocean CountyThe Safari Off Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure is the largest safari outside of Africa. It is home to 1,200 animals, including several endangered species. Ride through the safari and experience up-close interaction with the specie... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsAn Awesome Day Trip for the Entire Family!
While the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Basking Ridge NJ is not necessarily a zoo, we included it on our list because of it's abundance of awesome wildlife habitat. The refuge consists of varied habitats spread out across 7,600 acres of land and has quickly become home to over 244 species of birds.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
973-425-1222 | Somerset CountyThe Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a network made up of lands and waters that are managed specifically for the protection of wildlife. There is so much to see within this refuge, as it consists of 7,600 acres of varied habitat... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsLearn about Fish at a Cool Hatchery in Northern NJ!
While the Pequest Trout Hatchery is not techinally a zoo, it is an awesome educational learning resource for kids and adults alike. Learn about how more than 600,000 brook, brown, and rainbow trout are raised to stock the public waters of NJ each year.
Pequest Trout Hatchery
908-637-4173 | Warren CountyPequest Trout Hatchery is a Natural Resource Education Center that makes learning about the fish and wildlife of New Jersey fun for kids and adults alike! Enjoy interactive displays, hiking trails, and hands-on fu... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsOne of the Largest Zoos in Northern NJ!
Space Farms is a great place for families to visit because not only are they a zoo with over 100 different species and 500 different animals, but they are also an educational museum with over 50,000 artifacts. They even have special events including snake handling, baby animal nursery feedings, a playground, and discussion groups.
Space Farms Zoo & Museum
973-875-5800 | Sussex CountySpace Farms Zoo and Museum has over 500 animals and an educational museum filled with more than 50,000 artifacts. See each of the animals up close and drop in for special activities, including animal nursery feedings and discussion group... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsUnique Hands-on Experience with Wildlife!
What sets Rizzo's Wildlife World apart from other zoos in NJ is the hands-on, multi-sensory interactive experience they create for all guests! They also offer birthday party services, and will bring the animals to your location for a live animal show.
Rizzos Wildlife World
973-586-0444 | Morris CountyRizzo's Wildlife World is over 4,700 square feet with over 100 animals, including lizards, snakes, as well as other fun reptiles, and creatures! An educational center with lots to explore, all animal lovers will enjoy this zoo in Morris Count... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsAwesome Zoo to Bring Kids to in Northern NJ!
The efforts made by The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo to educate and inform the public about animals is outstanding. Their brand new Sea Turtle Recovery program includes a Turtle Rehabilitation Center for guests to see.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
973-731-5800 | Essex CountyThe Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in northern NJ has tons of exhibits for visitors to explore with exciting animals such as alligators, wolves, penguins, and so much more! The zoo also runs events, workshops, awareness weeks, and live animal presentations each mont... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsMini Zoo Located inside of an Educational Museum
The LIberty Science Center features two min-zoo exhibitions inside of their Jersey City location. The "Eat and Be Eaten" exhibit has animals like naked mole rats and cotton-top tamarin monkeys and explores how they have adapted to survive in the wild. The "Our Hudson Home" exhibit features a really awesome experience where guests can view and even touch some of the thousands of species living in the Hudson River.
Liberty Science Center
201-200-1000 | Hudson CountyLocated right inside of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ is a mini zoo with lots to learn about and explore! Some of the animals include naked mole rats, cotton-top tamarin monkeys, and leaf-cutter ant... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsCentral NJ Zoo Refuge for Injured Wildlife
The Popcorn Park Zoo is so unique because it was created specifically as a refuge for wildlife in need of care. The zoo has all kinds of exotic animals such as Bengal tigers, Pythons, many different types of monkies, and more. American wildlife includes an American black bear, cougars, bobcats, and more. There are also farm animals and birds on site for guests to view and interact with.
Popcorn Park Zoo
609-693-1900 | Ocean CountyThe Popcorn Park Zoo originally began as a place to shelter sick, elderly, abandoned, abused, or injured wildlife. Now over 200 of these animals and birds now call Popcorn Park Zoo their hom... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsA FREE Beach that is Close to the Beach in Cape May County NJ!
This zoo in southern NJ has over 550 animals to explore. The Cape May County Zoo takes great care in ensuring that animals are treated with respect and that visitors get the best education on their well-being. It is one of the most well-known and respected zoos in the state.
Cape May County Zoo
609-465-5271 | Cape May CountyAt the Cape May County Zoo, animals and guests alike are treated with the utmost respect. Guests get an educational look into the health and well-being of over 550 animals living within the zoo's 80 acre... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsA Great Small Zoo in Northern NJ!
What makes the Bergen County Zoological Park unique is that it only exhibits animals native to North and South America. Some of their animals include: mountain lions, bobcats, bald eagles, aquatic turtles, the American Elk, and so much more!
Bergen County Zoological Park
201-262-3771 | Bergen CountyThe Bergen County Zoo in Paramus NJ is home to many mammals, reptiles, fish, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. They even have pony rides, a carousel, and a Zoo Snack Ba... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsNew Jersey's First Ever Zoo
The Cohanzick Zoo began in 1934 as New Jersey's first ever zoo! While they are a smaller zoo, spanning across only 15 acres, they do have 45 species from all over the world to view and learn about. This is also a free zoo!
Cohanzick Zoo
856-455-3230 | Cumberland CountyThe Cohanzick Zoo is a small zoo that takes up approximately 15 acres, but they do have some really great large animals such as Holly the Asiatic black bear! This is a free zoo with nearly 100 animals from around the worl... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsTour a Natural Wolf Preserve in Northern NJ!
An experience of a lifetime awaits you at Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ. See wolves in their natural habitats and learn about their eating habits, social structure, and their impact on humans. The preserve also offers tours and photography sessions that include coming face to face with wolves!
Lakota Wolf Preserve
877-733-9653 | Warren CountyLakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia NJ is home to a small number of adult wolves, pups, bobcats, and foxes. The wolves are protected, preserved, respected, and cared for in an environment that reflects their natural surrounding... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsExperience New Jersey's Only Wildlife Safari!
The coolest part of the Safari Off Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ is Camp Aventura. Guests can extend their visit to the safari by hoppinf off the truck to zip line over the safari, feed giraffes by hand, or even pet some other fun animals.
Six Flags Wild Safari Drive Thru Adventure
732-928-1821 | Ocean CountyThe Safari Off Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure is the largest safari outside of Africa. It is home to 1,200 animals, including several endangered species. Ride through the safari and experience up-close interaction with the specie... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsAn Awesome Day Trip for the Entire Family!
While the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Basking Ridge NJ is not necessarily a zoo, we included it on our list because of it's abundance of awesome wildlife habitat. The refuge consists of varied habitats spread out across 7,600 acres of land and has quickly become home to over 244 species of birds.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
973-425-1222 | Somerset CountyThe Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a network made up of lands and waters that are managed specifically for the protection of wildlife. There is so much to see within this refuge, as it consists of 7,600 acres of varied habitat... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsLearn about Fish at a Cool Hatchery in Northern NJ!
While the Pequest Trout Hatchery is not techinally a zoo, it is an awesome educational learning resource for kids and adults alike. Learn about how more than 600,000 brook, brown, and rainbow trout are raised to stock the public waters of NJ each year.
Pequest Trout Hatchery
908-637-4173 | Warren CountyPequest Trout Hatchery is a Natural Resource Education Center that makes learning about the fish and wildlife of New Jersey fun for kids and adults alike! Enjoy interactive displays, hiking trails, and hands-on fu... Read More
Visit Website View DetailsOne of the Largest Zoos in Northern NJ!
Space Farms is a great place for families to visit because not only are they a zoo with over 100 different species and 500 different animals, but they are also an educational museum with over 50,000 artifacts. They even have special events including snake handling, baby animal nursery feedings, a playground, and discussion groups.
Space Farms Zoo & Museum
973-875-5800 | Sussex CountySpace Farms Zoo and Museum has over 500 animals and an educational museum filled with more than 50,000 artifacts. See each of the animals up close and drop in for special activities, including animal nursery feedings and discussion group... Read More
Visit Website View Details
Instead of a Zoo, Go Under the Sea!
If you or your children love animals, then you're sure to also be enchanted by aquariums. Many zoos will include fish exhibits, but if you're looking to fully dive into a trip under the sea, an aquarium is the way to go!