Kids & Family
5 Heartwarming Reasons To Visit The Bronx Zoo This Winter
Even when it's cold, the animals warm your heart.
This post is sponsored and contributed by a Patch Brand Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.
Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean our spirits have to drop, too! Here are five reasons why you should visit the Bronx Zoo this winter, so you can create some heartwarming memories with friends and family, no matter how cold it is.
#1 Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo
‘Tis the season to visit the Bronx Zoo! The beloved Holiday Lights is back again this year to truly brighten up your family’s night. It’s the best holiday event in the city! Stroll through five illuminated safaris, check out ice carving demonstrations, and enjoy delicious seasonal treats. Holiday Lights is open now until Jan. 10 on selected dates. Make sure to reserve your spot soon!
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#2 The Himalayan Highlands
If you’d prefer to visit the zoo during the day, we suggest you check out the Himalayan Highlands. All of the outdoor exhibits are fantastic, but there’s something extra magical about the Himalayan Highlands in the wintertime. It’s where you can spot the delightfully mysterious snow leopards. You may even catch a glimpse of them playing together, which will completely melt your heart. In the wild, a snow leopard sighting is rare, as the few thousand that remain tend to spend their time hidden high in the Asian hills. So it’s an incredible treat to be able to see such a beautiful creature right here at the Bronx Zoo.
Tiger Mountain, American Bison, and Birds of Prey are also great outdoor exhibits to check out in the winter; and, as always, the sea lions and the bears can be spotted enjoying the outdoors, too.
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#3 265 Acres Of Hardwood Forest
There’s nothing like the great outdoors — especially when it’s conveniently located right in NYC! Be sure to take a nice long walk around the 265 acres of hardwood forest at the Bronx Zoo and admire the serene nature around you. Even though there’s a chill in the air, you can’t help but feel as though you’re walking through a warm and welcoming winter wonderland. Unwind in nature with views of the Bronx River and Northern Ponds, all while connecting with wildlife.
#4 Jungleworld And Madagascar!
When you’re ready to warm up inside, be sure to visit JungleWorld and Madagascar, two spacious, naturalistic indoor exhibits that were specifically designed with the animals’ native habitat in mind. You’ll warm up even more when you see how close the animals’ bonds are — they love to snuggle up with each other. Make sure to wear an eye-catching pair of earrings when you visit JungleWorld, because one of the white-cheeked gibbons might come right up to the glass and admire them when you show her!
#5 Virtual Wild Encounters
Another great reason to go to the Bronx Zoo is that you don’t even have to leave your home to make a real wildlife connection! Spend some quality time with a cheetah, a porcupine, a warthog, and more on a Virtual Wild Encounter from the Bronx Zoo. You’ll get personal time with the animal, and you can ask the keepers questions. It’s all live, so you never know what fun thing could happen next! It’s also a great gift idea for the holidays, as you get up to 3 logins with each session. So you can invite Grandma and Grandpa down South and the cousins from the West Coast to join in on the virtual fun.
So grab your warmest jacket (or comfiest chair) and get ready for a unique winter experience that will lift everyone’s spirits. Head to BronxZoo.com to learn more, and be sure to reserve your tickets soon! For your safety, we have sanitizing stations and controlled capacity.