Family Fun in Staten Island

Check Out the Wild Side of Staten Island at the Best Little Zoo in America!

The Staten Island Zoo is a great spot to see some cool wildlife. They’ve got endangered Amur Leopards and energetic fossas, and the zoo keeps them safe and healthy. The zoo is called the “Best Little Zoo in America” for a reason – it’s not huge, but it’s got a great variety of animals.

After you visit the zoo, you can also check out the parks in the area. They have something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a kid or an adult.

Attractions

Staten Island Zoo
614 Broadway 10310, (10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.)
Open 7 Days a Week
Clove Lakes Park 
(Dawn-dusk) Open 7 Days a Week
WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink
1321 Victory Blvd 10301
Friday: 4 p.m – 11 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 7:00 p.m.
Season: October through March”
The Carousel for All Children
May & September: Friday – Sunday
June: Wednesday – Sunday 
July & August: Seven days 
Hours: 11 am – 5:45 pm 
The Carousel will close on Columbus Day

Full-Day Option

Includes lunch at Zoo, dinner at Napoli Pizza, Zoo, and ice skating rink:

1. Take the 9:30 a.m. Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan and arrive at the St. George Ferry Terminal.
2. At Ramp C, take the S48 Bus to the Staten Island Zoo, known as “The Best Little Zoo in America!”
3. Get off at the Forest Avenue/Broadway stop and walk left for about 6 minutes until you reach the Zoo entrance.
4. Spend a few hours exploring the Zoo’s various exhibits, including the reptile room, African safari, and the outside children’s petting zoo. Have lunch at the café on the grounds.
5. Leave the Zoo through the Clove Road exit and walk straight on Martling Avenue for about 5 minutes, staying on the parking lot side of the street.
6. On your left, find a trail to Clove Lakes Park. Follow the trail until you see the baseball fields and playground.
7. Walk along the pathway in the middle of the lake to find the ice skating rink (open Friday – Sunday). Enjoy an hour or two of affordable, family-friendly skating.
8. After skating, walk left along Victory Boulevard, cross the street, and find Napoli Pizza for dinner.
9. Catch the S61 or S62 bus back to St. George. The bus stop is on the same side as the pizzeria.

Half-Day Option

Includes Staten Island Zoo, lunch at the Zoo’s café, and a brief walk to Clove Lakes Park – not traveling far from Martling Avenue:

1. Follow steps 1-4 from the Full Day Option.
2. Have lunch at the Zoo’s café.
3. Follow steps 5-6 from the Full Day Option to reach Clove Lakes Park.
4. Explore the park’s trails and playground before heading back to Manhattan.

Directions from Staten Island Zoo to The Carousel For All Children:

1. Take the S53 bus at Broadway/Colonial CT.
2. After 6 stops, get off at Clove Rd/Niagara St.
3. Walk to Victory Bl/Clove Rd and catch the S62 bus.
4. After 21 stops, get off at Victory Bl/Morani St.
5. Walk through the park to arrive at The Carousel For All Children.