Tucked inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Queens Zoo is devoted entirely to the animals of the Americas — and its manageable size makes it perfect for families with young children. Andean bears climb and forage in a leafy habitat, pumas prowl nearby, and California sea lions steal the show at feeding time, while the historic geodesic dome aviary, a survivor of the 1964 World’s Fair, lets exotic birds fly all around you.
Run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the zoo adds a farm area where kids can feed domestic animals, plus shady paths that never feel crowded. Pair it with a spin on the park’s famous Unisphere next door and you have one of the easiest, happiest family days in Queens — wild, educational and wonderfully relaxed.
