5/31/26 (Update) Having been coming to this zoo forever. In the last 5- 10 years, I've really seen Turtle Back Zoo grow into a first rate zoo! It's not as large as the Bronx Zoo, but it's certainly getting there. -Animals: We saw beautiful, large flamingos, penguins, numerous wildcat species, giraffes, bald eagles, hyenas and more... -Living Conditions: All the animals are protected by high fences. The animals appear to be very healthy. Their living conditions appear to be very clean. -Sea Turtle Recovery Center: Besides the wonderful animals, there's a Sea Turtle Recovery Hospital on the premises. You can visit the "patients". It was an interesting experience. Once the sea turtles have regained their health, they're be released back into their natural habitat. -Food: You'll probably get hungry during your visit. The zoo has several food kiosks and a large indoor and outdoor café called Zanzibar. -Gift Shop: Of course, there's a cool gift shop at the zoo. Lots of adorable stuffed animals for purchase. -Parking: Parking was free this past Sunday. There's several indoor parking garages with clearly marked animal logos. Looking forward to my next visit to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. read more

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Came here while visiting family in Nj. It is a decent size zoo but when we came there were no lions and no giraffes. We went to the welcome center and there no changing tables in the restrooms there. For a children's place there should be changing tables in all the restrooms. Also, they charge for every little thing once you are inside. $3 for the carousel, $3 for feed, and $5 for the butterflies. The butterflies are very small and definitely not worth an additional $5. I have been to other zoos and aquariums with a large butterfly conservatory and there was no extra charge. They have a train but we didn't have time to go on it. It is clean and they do have a large selection of animals including the red panda, black bear, monkeys, hyena, sloth, toucan bird, flamingos, kangaroos, cheetahs, snow leopards, a bison, they also have a touch tank. The prairie dogs were super cute. They have farm animals where you can feed a goat. It is a nice thing to do with children and my daughter had a blast! They do pony rides for $3 but my daughter was too small, you have to be 2 years old. read more

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We visited around 11 a.m. on a weekend, hoping to spend a relaxing morning at the zoo, but honestly the experience was disappointing. Right after entering, we were told that many animals might not be out that day, which immediately lowered our expectations. The reptile house was small but had a nice variety of reptiles and colorful poison dart frogs. The problem is that it's very easy to miss because there are barely any signs pointing to it. On the way to the penguin area, we stopped by the monkey exhibit. The glass was extremely dirty and full of reflections. It wasn't just difficult to take photos--you could barely see the monkeys even with your own eyes. The penguin area was probably the best part of the visit. There were lots of penguins and pelicans, although the viewing areas still felt like they could be cleaner. We also visited the farm area with pigs, goats, cows, and alpacas, which seemed more geared toward young kids. We wanted to visit the bird exhibit, but after finally finding the entrance, we realized it required an additional admission fee. Considering the zoo already charges $22 per ticket, I really don't think extra-paid exhibits should be necessary. The Asian exhibit was another disappointment. You could barely see the red pandas, but what stood out even more was how small their enclosure looked. Personally, I don't think it feels like an ideal space for an animal that likes to climb and stay active. On top of that, this exhibit had the worst glare in the entire zoo, making it almost impossible to clearly see the animals or their habitat. These don't seem like difficult issues to improve, especially considering the ticket price and the number of visitors. When we reached the black bear exhibit, staff members were working inside the enclosure. I understand maintenance is necessary, but doing it during one of the busiest times of the weekend meant we were watching people work instead of seeing the animals. We also didn't get to see several animals, including the lions. The flamingos and prairie dogs were cute, and there were plenty of them, but overall there just weren't many memorable animals. A lot of what we saw felt like animals you could easily see elsewhere, which wasn't what I expected after driving all this way and paying $22. Overall, I'd honestly rather spend that money visiting a good pet store. The biggest issue isn't that the zoo is terrible--it's that the experience doesn't match the ticket price. Between the animals that weren't visible, dirty viewing windows, extra-paid exhibits, and overall maintenance, I don't think it's worth $22, and I personally wouldn't come back. read more

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I hadn't been to the Turtle Back Zoo in years, and I had such a wonderful time recently visiting again. It was quite busy on Mother's Day (which is expected), but I still had a great time and we lucked out with beautiful weather. The zoo staff was friendly and helpful. There were plenty of food and drink options, but I didn't partake. Lots of informative signs about the animals and their rehab center, too. My favorite animal to watch were the prairie dogs - so cute!! A close second was the red panda. Kids could get closer to the prairie dogs by popping their heads out of plastic domes in the exhibit. read more

Great place for little kids to go if they need to get any energy out of their system before a big day absolutely recommend for parents!

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, which can accommodate up to 10 guests, and includes hot chocolate and snacks It's 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! read more

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This is a review for the walking trail. It is so nice to walk this easy trail. Do many wildlife to see. The grounds are well maintained. Highly recommend! read more

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo - Zoos Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

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Zoos provide an amazing chance to connect with wildlife that we otherwise wouldn't be able to see without traveling across the world. Most of them do their best to provide habitats that give animals humane treatment and a safe place to roam with as much space as possible. Designed as part of the South Mountain Reservation located in West Orange on just 20 acres, Turtle Back Zoo is managed as part of the Essex County Park System. Tickets were easily gotten by visiting their website for a Saturday visit. Upon arrival as first-timers, parking was well organized and free. The zoo is not huge, but there is a decent amount of walking, so if one goes, be sure to wear comfy shoes. Water misters were set up throughout the park to help cool off on hot days. It's recommended to start at the top of the zoo or top of the hill and work your way down. There were plenty of interesting animals to see from all continents except Antarctica, such as flamingos, condors, bald eagles, penguins, giraffes, etc. Seasonal exhibits (butterfly and bird tents) require an additional fee. They have a touch tank featuring stingrays. My partner and I stopped by Savanna Cafe for lunch (no outside food allowed inside). The food varies from burgers, hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, and chicken tenders to salads and ice cream. We decided on chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings, ice cream, and water. It was decent, served its purpose, but was pricey. This is a must-take fun for any age classic New Jersey day trip, which we can recommend. read more

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This review is strictly for the holiday lights event held at the zoo. The event is totally free--they simply ask for a donation of non perishables, new or gently used coat and/or an unwrapped toy which we were excited to provide. Parking was even free. They have a small lot out front and two multi level parking garages for the overflow. The light displays were so cute and sparkly, holiday music was playing overhead, and there was a train that took us over a river and through the woods. The line for the train was lengthy, but they had a heater which helped some on the very frigid night. There were plenty of lights to admire while in line. I will say we were a little surprised that the entire train ride was pretty dark. We expected to see light displays and installations along the way, but it was really only at the beginning. Our little one loves trains and so he was content, which is all that matters. There were smores pits, a kettle corn and hot chocolate cart, and a cozy inside cafe which we really needed to warm up. Pricing for these items was a bit of an upcharge, but as everything else was free, we sort of expected it. The animals were not really on display as it was a special event after the zoo was officially closed, but we did get to see and pet the sting rays, 1 baby shark, and a large aquarium with colorful fish (Nemo, Dory & friends). All in all it was a great holiday event and was enjoyed by all. read more

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Recently I have to agree that this ZOO really packs a big punch!! It's probably one of my faves to visit with younger children, or kids of all ages! read more

Very nice zoo! I truly feel like this is the best zoo in the area. They have the best train ride ( such a nice view and free), has such beautiful animals that you get close views to through the windows, pony rides, carousel, barn, and they have a touch tank which my kids love too! In the winter time they also have winter wonderland ( beautiful lights throughout the zoo) and the night event is free! read more

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I've been wanting to visit Turtle Back Zoo and finally got the chance to when I saw they had the Holiday Lights Spectacular during Christmastime. It's free admission, and it was a Saturday evening, so as you can imagine, it was absolute chaos. The hours are 5 to 9, and our plan was to get there around 4:30-4:45 ish to beat the crowds. Of course, we got stuck in traffic and ended up getting there just after 5, and the lot was already filling up. Our first stop was the train ride, which surprisingly, we only waited maybe 15-20 minutes for. It's cool for the first few minutes, but they don't decorate the whole route with lights so for most of the ride, you're just in the dark, looping past the river. Since it's cold, all the animals are in hiding so we didn't see much - just some birds, an alligator, and some farm animals in the barn. I don't think I'll be back for another Holiday Lights just because it was so crowded, and the lights were kind of underwhelming. But I do want to visit when it gets warmer to actually see the animals. read more

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo - Zoos Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

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I'll start off by saying I took someone, I am not a zoo fan. With that said, it was definitely worth the trip and offered a great walk. The animal selection varies depending on time of year which I will assume applies to all zoo's especially in the northern hemisphere. Animals look healthy and cared for. Habitats are clean and maintained. Signage is clear and directions are accessible. I most enjoyed the giraffes! read more

My grands , my daughter and I went on Saturday There are really no animals to see , the money that they're collecting from everyone is a ripoff I will not be going back there ! It used to be so much better it was a waste of time and money and energy The vendors were very expensive even the food to feed the giraffes The best part was the water that sprinkles on you, the train ride , and the merry go round ! read more

This was our first time at turtle back zoo. It was a very small but a decent amount of animals and since it was the first day opening for the season a lot of the exhibits were still closed, and experiences not available. It was my daughter's first experience at a zoo and she just loves saying different animal names. My one issue with turtle back is the parking lot and entrance is a logistical nightmare. They share a parking area with a sports complex and it took us about 30-40 minutes to just get into the parking lot, which also had a non-working elevator and I had a carriage with one arm and a sling so yeah, that was not fun. Other than the wild Safari adventure that we went through to get in and out of the parking garage, the zoo was a good time and I would love to experience it again. read more

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo - Zoos Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

REVIEW OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR 2024: Turtle Back Zoo did a great job with the Holiday Lights Spectacular this year. From November 22nd and running until New Years Eve, with the support of sponsors, Turtle Back Zoo has free nighttime entry from 5pm to 9pm on select nights. It's nice opportunity to stroll through the zoo and take in all the lovely light displays, holiday decorations, and ice sculptures. Kids have fun activities like face painting and the train ride. You can also make s'mores by a fire ($8 a pop), and enjoy some tasty kettle corn and zeppole. While the treats are not free, they are provided by local vendors/businesses. Because it's winter, most of the animals are indoors, but there are a few exhibits that you can check out on these nights like the Reptile House, an aviary exhibit in Amazing Asia, and the Petting Farm. The Zoo also collects non-perishable food, toys and winter coats for donation. The tent where you can drop off these donations is by the zoo entrance. read more

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Such a cute zoo with plenty to do! From a carousel, animal exhibits, and pony rides to a nice playground and even a train ride that lasts over 8 minutes, there's something for everyone. I really liked the layout of the zoo; it's easy to get around and very family-friendly. My 4 year-old had an absolute blast. We'd definitely come back and I'd recommend it to any families with young kids. read more

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While searching for good spots to take the family, I found TurtleBack Zoo. Although it's not close to my neighborhood I make the drive every year for many worthwhile reasons: 1. There is ample parking between the outdoor and indoor lots. Parking gets busy in the afternoon - so go early. 2. The admission prices are reasonable. If you have a family, and will visit more than 2x times a year, then buying a family membership gives you the best pricing. 3. The Turtleback zoo is always well-kept and clean - no funky smells like the Bronx Zoo ( yes, I'm a native New Yorker, so I know). 4. There are multiple areas suited for small children, including a merry-go-round, turf area, and train. 5. Although the park is relatively small, there are always many interactive exhibits and seasonal attractions planned. One extra cool thing is that they always celebrate the holidays with special attractions and host monthly events for members. This is by far one of my favorite zoos and a great place for a day trip with the family. read more

First time taking my kid to this zoo. Bought tickets on the website in advance. When we got there I presented my QR code I was sent. I was asked for my confirmation number instead by person in the booth. Parking was free that was a plus. Overall a fun experience. Some of the animals weren't out and that's not the zoos fault. Plenty of areas for the adult to sit. The food is over priced and not that good tbh. read more

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So much fun! We went for the Holiday Lights Special. Lots of fun displays. We saw some animals. Lots of great photo ops! Plus everything was FREE. read more

We visited this zoo with my son's family recently. Naturally some of the outdoor exhibits were closed during this time of year. We had a good time though and there were several employees out who were helpful explaining about some of the different animals. The big cats were in some areas where they would come by where the visitors could view them up close through the glass. There was also an outdoor area that held a cheetah and a dog who were raised together and and still friends. read more

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My wife and I walk this 1.76-mile loop by Turtle Back Zoo often - it's across the same parking lot and belongs to the zoo. We love to go there especially at night -- and it's truly one of our favorite ways to unwind together. Something is calming about being surrounded by nature while still feeling safe and connected to the community. In the evening, the loop is filled with people out for a jog, friends catching up, families with kids, and dogs in strollers or trotting alongside. We've seen everything from ducks and ducklings to turtles, and at night, the frogs come alive -- you'll hear their croaks echoing from the pond and surrounding brush. The path itself is smooth and well-lit in most areas, with small wooden bridges, benches to rest, flower patches, and even little springs of water in the center. There are waste bag stations for dogs, which is a big plus for anyone walking with pets. It's connected to a short hiking trail if you're up for a mini adventure, and there's always parking -- either in the zoo lot or the large parking garage nearby. During the day, the pond offers duck boat rides, which is a fun extra if you're bringing kids or just feeling playful. And it's also steps from McLoone's Boathouse, which makes it easy to turn a casual walk into a full evening out. It's not just a loop -- it's a little ritual for us. Peaceful, refreshing, and different every time depending on who's out, what's in bloom, or which animals are saying hello. read more

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Love this place. I've been four times and each time we've been able to experience several exhibits with very active animals! One trip it was lions playing with each other, another it was several giraffes neck-battling one another, another trip it was a cloud leopard jumping from tree branch to branch. Each time it felt like I was getting an in-person national geographic experience. And you get to be pretty close up to the animals without an over eating crowd. A+ would definitely recommend read more

My wife and I took our daughter to the Turtle Back Zoo for a few hours of fun. It's pretty small, but it has a lot to do. You can feed some of the farm animals, ride the train, touch some stingrays, and even feed a giraffe! Fortunately, they have free parking in the garage. You can finish seeing everything in 2-3 hours. Definitely worth the $20 price for adult admission. read more

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Turtleback Zoo is a great spot for a family day out! We loved feeding the giraffes, riding the train, and watching the giant turtles. Big thanks to Mike Bean from the Admin office--our car battery died in the parking lot and he came to the rescue with a portable jumper. Super helpful and kind. Great zoo and even better staff! read more

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo - Feeding the giraffes - Zoos Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

More like 3.5 stars. Cute and friendly penguin by the African adventure section! Giraffe feeding line was so long... I think it's $5 for a big piece of lettuce if you have a big group you can get group tickets, need to get them 4 weeks ahead of time though. Good spot to take kids for a day trip. (pick a day when it's not too hot) Not a lot to see but nicely maintained and clean. read more

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I'm a big kid at heart and love tapping into things that bring me joy. Going to the zoo was such a cute experience! It was nice to connect, walk around and see actual live animals. read more

They've made quite a few improvements since I last visited in 2022 and a few sections of the zoo are closed off. Glad to have seen some progress and to know more is coming. A few highlights: - The staff at the face paint section are really kind and patient -The staff in general from the general entrance to the pony rides were really great and sparked up some conversation as we waited for our turn -The mist sprayers were so much help on a 85+ degree day read more

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Good zoo if you have young kids. As an adult i was not very impressed. The place was clean though, parking was free and had plenty of spots. The staff kind of seemed like no one wanted to be there and i was kind of upset they took $6 from my wife and I to go through the butterfly tunnel, we took 2 steps inside and they told us they were closing and we needed to leave lol. Its a mediocre experience - maybe I'm just spoiled by my last zoo experience at the San Diego Zoo... if you have very young kids, bring them, if you're an adult, don't bother its just whatever. read more

Turtle Back Zoo. What an impromptu Sunday going here and finally getting a chance to bring our toddler. Our first time here and definitely not the last time. read more

t's been a really long time since I've been back but came here for the holiday lights and it did not disappoint. I love that it's a free event and they take unperishable food donations which we brought with us. The best time to go to not catch the crowd is towards the end of the night. Plus the parking isn't as crazy. I would recommend eating before going there, but they have food trucks and stalls for snacks and quick bites. Surprisingly there's a lot to see and walk around. Only some of exhibits are opened where you can explore but the other half of the park is closed off. It probably took around 45 minutes to casually walk through and see everything (also stopped for pictures a few times) given the lesser crowd. And it's a fun free activity to do with the family. read more

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Came from NYC here to celebrate a family members bday. Def a nice zoo and pretty organized. Theres a lot of uphill walking here making it a bit difficult to walk with a stroller. Otherwise, very clean and interactive. Would return read more

I'd return just for the ability to feed the giraffes. It was the highlight at the zoo for me. It's such a fun experience and even small children can participate. There's plenty of parking but expect a bit of down and up hill walking. Grandparents that aren't steady on their feet might struggle here. For a small zoo, they have lots of big cats to see, a touch tank and a cafe to eat at. My critism would be that it's hard to see the animals. A lot of the exhibits are blocked on most sides. Still, it's a good place to visit and there are some good eateries in the area. read more

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We have been members here for years consecutively, and they have only great things to say about this superb tradition and institution in northern New Jersey for the kids. The county Park Department runs same venue with a lot of attention, care and money for continuous maintenance and expansion . It is clearly not easy to run a zoo in the county with great success. Here are just too many to list but include all the ones you want for your children and the spacious outdoors space that comes with a parks department. There are too many zones and parts of the zoo , enough to satisfy every child's desires for every type of living creature. There's a good balance between seeing exhibits and introduction to animals kinds to educational ones to light to heavy interactivity ones. All the bathrooms are OK although they could use some maintenance. There are 2 large parking decks, all new and nice and well maintained. There are two entrances to the area of the park which connects to the waterfront part of the park. Special notice for the diesel powered train which is included with admission and just such a lovely perfect ride. It holds about 100 passengers per ride in each takes seven minutes. We are so excited to live nearby and hope to make many years of happy memories here . read more

I recently visited the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and had an absolutely fantastic time! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of enjoyable. The zoo's focus on wildlife conservation and commitment to providing an entertaining and educational experience was evident throughout my visit. It is an accessible and amazing zoo for people of all ages and interests! The paths are easy to navigate on foot, with a stroller or in a wheelchair. Misters located throughout the zoo for those hot days!My favorite stops were the Touch Tank, Giraffes and Otters. Somewhat unique to this zoo is the abundance of seating facing and very close to animal exhibits! Perfect for lunch breaks or just a walking break. Parking is free and only a couple steps from the zoo's entrance. Traffic cones, staff and signs were very clear. Plenty of staff at the entrance booths. To use AZA reciprocity, we had to go in-person but there were no lines. Daily shows vary and are posted by the entrance (which only means we'll have to come back again and again). Also, There's a McDonald's across the street, dunkin, and bagel shop. I also think they sell food indoors but we didn't get a chance to check it out. We paid $19 a ticket which was extremely affordable and valuable for the experience you receive. read more

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We love it here. A great place for the kids year round with seasonal events around the holidays.

Nice little zoo, but for over a year my complaint has been ignored regarding the food truck exhaust pointing directly toward the peacock enclosure. Either move the truck, or point the exhaust in the other direction toward where the public walks, if it's really not a hazard. I've called, I've emailed. Birds have delicate respiratory systems, and as a veterinarian, this bothers me to no end. read more

Enjoyed Monday morning member yoga. Instructor was encouraging of participants of all ages. Children as young as 2 years old could participate with their caregivers. Yoga instructor was from yoga mechanics in Montclair. read more

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo - Zoos Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

What a lovely zoo in New Jersey!!! They have a lot of animals and the zoo is huge it is so easy to get lost in there. Tickets are $20 for general admission which I thought was a great price for all that you get to see. I also did for an extra $3 (cash only) to do the butterfly exhibit which I absolutely loved & very cheap as well. I do feel the food and drinks were expensive here. Staff was very friendly and kind. I will definitely return! read more

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The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has undergone a series of renovations and upgrades that have transformed it into a modern facility with clean paved walkways, touch tanks, butterfly tent. giraffe feeding from 10:30 -3:30. and large enclosures for wildlife. There are however some parts of the former zoo that are still visible. Pony rides, the zoo train and the carousel are still there and a hit with the younger zoo goers. The zoo is open 8am to 4 pm. Adult admission is $20, child $17, Senior 62+ $17 and children 24 months and under FREE. You can use cash or credit. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online. Parking is free with many open spaces and garages. I have always like being around animals and although $20 admission is higher than it should be, I do not mind supporting the zoo. read more

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