Take a trip up to the Bronx Zoo and see some amazing animals right in New York City
When you think of planning a trip to New York City Odds are you don't think about the Bronx but since you are planning a trip to the city you should make a day trip up to the Bronx zoo.
There are many things to do in Brooklyn but that doesn't mean you can't
venture out to other parts of the city. Yesterday I took the #2 train from
Brooklyn and went up to the Bronx Zoo. After visiting their website which
the recommended taking the train to the East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square
stop I continued to the next stop at 180th street since I was more familiar
with the area. It is the same 2 block walk from either station but I wanted
to see the train yard at the East 180th Street station and take pictures for
another page I am making here.
Leaving the 180th street station you exit to the right and you end up on
East 180th street which runs along the outside fence of the zoo after you
pass the Bronx fire dept building that is also an amazing structure and very
camera worthy.
As you get to the corner of East 180th street and Boston road you will find
River park. This is a city park that has a little playground for the kids
and a BBQ area for parties. This city park is probably the only city park
with a waterfall. As you enter the park (and you will) there is spots to get
a close up picture of the waterfall.
You don't realize it at the time but
you just walked over a stone bridge that you will see once you turn around
in the park. It was another cool site except for the garbage pails in the
water.
Leaving the park and making the half block up to the zoo where I waited on
line for what was a stupid amount of time because everyone in front of me
seemed to not know what type of entrance fee to pay. They need to put signs
up before the booth where you pay so you know the options. I paid the $25
for the pay one price instead of being nickled and dimed at every
attraction. It was the best plan for me as I planned on taking in all the
sites.
There are so many exotic animals that I can't mention them all. Odds are I
would spell their names wrong anyway. I would rather just put up some
pictures and let you enjoy the sites. There are some attractions that were
better than others. I enjoyed the Butterfly exhibit a lot but the mouse
house was disappointing. There was only one penguin when I got to their
exhibit as it
was just after feeding and I am thinking they all were taking a nap just
like I do after I eat a big meal. Here is a short video and here is some
Bronx Zoo Pictures.
One word of advice I would give is to pack your own lunch. The prices for
food at the zoo is more expensive then any other place I have ever gone in
my whole life. The workers were very polite but the food was expensive. I
talked to a father of four that spent over $100 on food at the park.
Needless to say he was just as happy as I was on that matter. The money you
save on food can go towards souvenirs. You can sit outside and watch
flamingos at the Pepsi pavilion and eat lunch.
There were what seemed like 100 flamingos in the little pond outside the
food court. Very easy on the eyes and they seemed to pose for the camera. I
had a Nathan's hot dog, French fries and a Snapple fruit punch. It was over
$10 which was way too much money for the size of the meal.
If you are coming to NYC you might as well go to Coney Island and have the
real thing and have a Nathan's hot dog.
If you are planning on visiting the zoo I suggest you wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking involved even if you use the little shuttle that takes you around the park. You can use the shuttle and get off at each stop but you will miss a lot of attractions along the way. If you have small children you will want to use a stroller. They have stroller parking areas outside each exhibit.
If you need more info on train maps visit the official MTA website www.mta.info
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