Reviews of Turtle Back Zoo (Zoo)

Deborah Eddy

Very nice place! It was my first time there. Suggestion, park in the garage next to the entrance for the zoo. We asked the officer for the handicapped parking entering from the street entrance near McDonald's, he told us turn to our left but we had to walk a block to the entrance for the zoo, where there were handicapped parking spots and another garage. The zoo was great, had to rest a lot because there's a lot of hills and I use a cane. The areas for the animals were nice, well maintained, not overpowering (if you know what I mean.) Got to see my favorites: wolves, prairie dogs, flamingos and an emu. We took a ride on the train, very short but cute. That let us see the paddle boats which we may try next time. It was a nice day, especially nice to take little kids.

Happle Motorsports

Excellent place to visit for the entire family. We had a one year old and a four year old with us and both had an amazing experience with all of the animals.

Christine Veglia

Great zoo. Animals are well cared for and it’s not impossible to see them. The layout isn’t exhausting. They have a good variety of animals and even a petting zoo. We always have loads of fun there. I just wish it were open later.

Oasha M

We went on Saturday and it was hot, paid $50+ with 2 toddlers Generally, it's not worth the money we paid, most of the animals were not in showing places and we moved too much around to find something to show our children. Maybe if the weather is nicer you could see anything worth paying for. Also, I didn't know that you pay for every member and it's not like most of the entertainment places that you pay for the children only. But, there is a nice playing area with 2 slides and 1 tube for your little kids.

Bryan Wall

Perfect place to take the kids/family for a few hours, and at a reasonable cost. We've visited many times. Also very nicely decorated around Christmas time and worth checking out

Jonathan Sloane

A great day trip for families. The food is as expensive as you'd expect, so it might be better to pickup food locally before or after. We brought our daughter to the Livingston Diner just down the road after our first visit. She's asked to go back many times (at two years old). The season pass is worth it if you return a few times.

Friendly Plumbing

We had a great time my son enjoyed the pony ride and the touch tank. It was really a great experience for the whole family and of course the train ride and feeding the animals was a plus

Christine Ragazzo

We always enjoy coming to see the animals, We have been coming since my oldest was one years old, brought my 13 year old and 9 year old and it was still as much fun as when they were toddlers. They love feeding the farm animals, my oldest could have stayed with the budgies all day. We can't wait till the butterflies are open, we'll definitely be back a few more times this summer.

Jomar C

Completely enjoy the experience coming to the Turtle Back Zoo. Free parking, and plenty of exhibits to see. Super clean and staff is very friendly. I do plan to come back again in the near future.

Joshua Isaac Brenner

Plenty of parking and great place for kids. Wonderful local zoo.

Tracey M

A good zoo that has a bunch of animals that are up close, in your face, with clear viewing windows. Weekends are busy, but they have overflow parking with a trolley. Bring dollar bills for extra activities like feeding the giraffes or the butterfly exhibit. Plenty of areas to eat with tables. The whole zoo can be walked in about 2 hours, unless you take your time at exhibits.

Marianne Adler

I love this zoo. A nice medium size with a mix of local creatures and exotic. Porcupines to flamingos to giraffes. And expanding again! Plus a lot of interactive features for the kids, and the parts that you have to pay for aren't expensive. $2 for the carousel, pony ride, feeding a giraffe or more. We have a family membership and it's a great free or almost free day.

Juan Alvarez

Great place for the kids! Petting / feeding goats is one of my girls favorites. And walking through the bird enclosure is a blast. Great place to spend the day or just a few hours.

jess d

This zoo was something else. They had everything. You could get close to the animals and even feed the birds, giraffes, and even the friendly goats. The zoo offered many eat out areas and awesome attractions. I had a great time there. So bam five stars :)

Duvin Roman

A great local zoo. Be sure to check out the penguin exhibit if it a hot day. The aviary is a must and please but the food sticks to truly enjoy the experience.

Abimbola Oyefeso

It was a nice time even though it was hot.. that have a deal going on right now for Essex county residents...for the months of July and August after 2pm on Tuesdays is $3 u just need a state ID to show ....we had fun

Dmitriy Posh

Excellent spot to spend your weekend. Come early , at 10 am when it opens. Otherwise the line is huge. Dunkin Doughnuts is right across the street for those parents that need caffeine to stay awake.

jasmany carrara

Everything was great until I was about to leave and the guy driving around in the golf cart in the parking building decided to stare at a lady that was loading up her car and Kept driving while turning left and looking back the whole time. He almost runs into new and When I honked my horn to get his attention he gets mad and starts getting aggressive and following my car waiving his fist like he wanted to fight me. Other than that the zoo was awesome.

S Ras

Cool animals. Very clean park. The cafeteria is pretty good too.

Erin Ford

Small enough to do in a day with kids, big enough to have some fantastic animals. I was really impressive with the big cats, gorgeous wolves, and the many giraffes. There's also a touch tank, aquarium, and adorable penguins. It's a great, family-friendly zoo.

Elizabeth Stogden

Great zoo with playground and train ride. Pony rides, butterfly exhibit, bird exhibit, and stingray exhibit are extra $. The stingray exhibit was what my son really wanted to do and it was closed when we visited. Otherwise a good time.

themoondrapost

Areas for improvement: 1. Cafetaria food prices are outrageously high - not everyone can afford those prices. They should allow some fast food types to open stores there. 2. Walking around is very hard for elderly people because of up and down hills. Need to find a solution such as shuttle of some sort so people can get on and off rather than climb the hills. 3. Need to add more interesting animals that kids like such as elephants.

Ross Kovelman

Been here a few times now. Great family fun, and really any season that they are open. Not 5 star simply because the continue to at times have a bee issue. Their staff is great, the grounds are well maintained otherwise, and parking is never an issue.

maria picart

Awesome! Mini zoo with enough attractions to be satisfied. Make sure you go on the train, feed the birds and feed the goats. Worth it

Abby Gallo

This is a great little zoo that is a perfect outing for families with little kids. It's very clean and everything is pretty new. They don't have every animal you can think of, but they have giraffes, lions, penguins, red pandas, gibbons, sea lions, etc. We bought an annual membership which is worth it even if you go only 3x per year.

Bill .Vestol

Gotta check out the train. Good family place. Better for littler kids than the older ones.

Jason Persaud

Returned again after a few years and loved it just as much. We are a member of the Philadelphia Zoo, so through their reciprocity program, we were able to get the tickets for half price. Lots of animals to see. Very neat and organized zoo. Try visiting earlier in the day (morning preferably) when the animals are most active and the crowds are minimal. Lots of hills so wear comfortable shoes. Also feel free to bring your own food...stay hydrated. Their food prices are typical for these types of venues...$3 drinks, $10 sandwiches..

Megan Davey

This zoo is really beautiful. I remember coming here on a field trip here ten years ago and not thinking it was anything special, but today they have made so many improvements it was one of the best times I've ever had at a zoo. The animal exhibits are incredible. They are clean, well kept, and kids really get to interact with the animals (touch tanks, feeding the birds, feeding the giraffes, ect.). I will definitely go back to this zoo.

Shaina Louis

The zoo is large and quite diverse in terms of its attractions, although the animals are themselves seemed pretty over it, lol. Some of the exhibits stunk to high heaven, but it is a zoo after all. I do wish the land animals had a bit more space to roam so that they could feel like they were in their natural habitats. Overall, a standard, nice looking zoo that I would visit again.

anshuma jain

Such a wonder place to visit with kids with just 20 mins drive from Jersey City. Zoo is small and clean but with a complete package for kids to watch animals, pony ride, train ride, giraffe feeding, bird feeding etc. Our boy is 2.5 yrs old and he completely loved the place. Have been to bigger zoo before but this one was more enjoyed as could be covered fully in 3 to 4 hrs rather than full day affair with baby/ kid sleeping in stroller for half of it.

Michele James

I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The animals were beautiful and the park staff what's fantastic. Can't wait to return.

dyanne d

I actually got in for free for one of their night events. I loved it, its a really nice place to walk around. Mind you at night the only animal that was actually visible was the buffalo but I bet this place is spectacular in the day. All i can review is the ambiance and the cleanliness of the park. Top notch. Definitely would like to check out in the day for my next trip.

Catherine Serrano

The staff is VERY racist... 90 percent of them! But the animals are amazing that's why I gave this zoo a 3... They weren't only racist to me but also to my 2 boys... It's very sad I wish all races would get along and not judge...

panda panda

It was very interesting and fun it was one of my best field trip in 5th grade.

Ramon Rincon

It's a very nice little zoo. They have fun and interactive exhibits. Since it's on the side of hill, you can expect to get a workout just by walking around. Perfect way to get your kids tired.

Kirti Mittal

It was a great experience! Animals seem to be well cared for. Parking was very well organized and free! The only downside is that a few animals were not in the exhibit, and the zoo is a bit small. Great place to take kids for half a day.

Gary Panetta

Lots of space for the kiddos to roam. Most of the water exhibits were closed for renovations until Fall 2019. Went early on a Saturday - busy but not overly crowded.

Deborah Eddy

Very nice place! It was my first time there. Suggestion, park in the garage next to the entrance for the zoo. We asked the officer for the handicapped parking entering from the street entrance near McDonald's, he told us turn to our left but we had to walk a block to the entrance for the zoo, where there were handicapped parking spots and another garage. The zoo was great, had to rest a lot because there's a lot of hills and I use a cane. The areas for the animals were nice, well maintained, not overpowering (if you know what I mean.) Got to see my favorites: wolves, prairie dogs, flamingos and an emu. We took a ride on the train, very short but cute. That let us see the paddle boats which we may try next time. It was a nice day, especially nice to take little kids.

Razi Ballal

They’ve done a great job improving this zoo, One of the best zoos to visit in the tristate area

Charles Brandenburg

Good for Kid's. I personally felt it was Way too Crowded on a Sunday, and it was a Hot Day, and all the Animal's were laying down in the shade, under a Bush or a Tree

kim Carmela Alo

Great place for everyone! Very spacious and there's tons of seats available if you want to rest.

Robert

Probably the nicest cleanest most wholesome Zoo I’ve ever been to inside the US. Most zoos & aquariums are in neighborhoods that I don’t normally go to or are far from me. Got kids & want to do something Sat - then you’re in good company. There is a mini train that kids love too. Go early for the train - it actually runs faster than you think. Animals look good & healthy too. Thank you for being in the area.

Vivian Cabrera

Great price and lots to see. They have some features that cost additional $$ (carousel, feeding giraffes, bird feeding) but the fee is low, $2. Train ride is super cute. Staff is friendly. It's a clean zoo. Plenty of restrooms. A great place to spend the day!

Tunde Nagy

Very nice, clean zoo! Not too big, not too small! The employees are very friendly. This zoo is a perfect destination for a day trip.

Justyna Sikorska

Our 1 year old loves it so much that we got yearly membership. Small but with high variety of animals. Even parents can enjoy it.

Louis V

Very Nice Zoo! Have been here a few times. The last few years they have been continually improving and adding more exhibits like the African section. Good place to spend a few hours and do some walking around seeing the different animals. They have a cafe here also if you get hungry. Parking is free and admission price isn't bad. Better to visit on a weekday during the summer when it isn't too hot or in the fall or spring in order to avoid the crowds and see the animals a little more active. That goes for pretty much any zoo I suppose.

Christina Rio

This is a great zoo. Make sure you are wearing your walking shoes! I gave this zoo 4 stars because almost every activity in the zoo comes at a cost. But the ticket is reasonable.

Holly Wood

Only did the ropes course and zip lining, but it was a lot of fun. I gave it 5 stars not because of the actual course and zip line, but because of the extremely friendly, helpful and sincere staff. My friend was nervous to do a lot of the activities and despite being an adult, they were so helpful and kind. Nicest people.

P Dubi

It was great. I haven't been there in a while. It has been updated and is a pleasure to visit. I love seeing the animals being taken care of and content.

robert Cavagnaro

Turtle back Zoo is very nice located in a nice area in West Orange NJ. Even though some areas were closed off for renovations there was still enough to amuse the kids for a few hours, have lunch & a small gauge train ride ! Clean and landscaped nicely! Overall a nice morning & afternoon with the grandchildren!

Alison Li

Such a sweet afternoon outing with visiting family and kids (ages 4-11). Was fun for everyone even though it was considered a busy day that day, it wasn’t too cramped. Great entry prices (ended up getting a membership which includes free parking for the year)

Jennifer Groezinger

The zoo is so clean and the exhibits and amenities are constantly changing and improving. We buy a membership every year and will keep doing so for years to come. We love Turtleback Zoo!!!

Kaydia King-Morris

There were a lot of animals at the zoo. Kids will absolutely love it!!! The price isn't bad either.

Eduardo Rea

Great zoo, that is much bigger than I thought it would be. It has quite a number of exhibits, and variety of animals that you can see. There is also a free train ride that goes quite a good distance and was fun for the kids. I had a great time and I'll definitely come back. The ONLY complaint I have is that when we went a lot of animals were on vacation and the touch tank is currently closed until fall 2019. Very dissapointing but doesn't deter from the overall experience.

Tina C. Mauro

Big, like a 2 day place to see and the best part is there are places to eat close by so you won't have to eat in their restaurant.. too expensive

Philip Eubanks

I love Turtle Back. I grew up with the Memphis Zoo, which is much larger. Turtle Back feels like a neighborhood, friendly zoo that's easily walkable in a short time frame. It does all the things you'd want out of a zoo without tiring you out. The fact that the animals are all rescue animals is also comforting for someone like me who might be wary of caging animals. And you know they have a home here where they're cared for when they might not make it in the wild.

CandI Degraw

I feel so sorry for these animals. They all are just laying around waiting to die. It's like jail for animals. No interaction at all with animals. Very boring & expensive. Never going back. It's not like it was years ago when you could feed the animals.

Donald Pitches

Very popular zoo. Wide variety of animals. But, lots of walking on steep and winding paths. During hot days animals typically seek out shade and rest

Eric Gutermuth

The zoo is always a good time. It would have been better if everything was open. For instance, the seals where closed. The touch tank was closed. And another thing. How is it that we spent a couple quarters for actual goat feed pellets, and you have the audacity to charge $3.00 for 2 leafs of Romain lettuce, to feed the Giraffes are you serious!!!! That really got me, had to mention that. Besides that we had a good time.

Maureen O'Sullivan

This has been an amazing place since I was a child and their updates continue to make it a great place to visit!

Raul Leonardo

Very nice and clean zoo! Many different kinds of animals, free parking, and free zoo train ride. Kids had a blast! You can easily kill 2 to 3 hours and enjoy it.

Ot cuevas

Great place, haven't been here since I was a child. Loved it then and loved it now. My kids had an absolute blast. Fair pricing. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes

SERCAN OZCELIK

Kid friendly and fun place to visit! Its actually huge! Many animals and it can take your entire day to explore this place.

Suane Brown

Nice to see the big cats and reptiles. Good fun adventure

Jonathan Nieves

My daughter(5years old) had a lot of fun. My son(1 years old) had a lot of fun. The animals were lively and the area was clean. You can see animals way closer than the Bronx zoo. My one gripe was the reptile exhibit. It was very small, with a lot of traffic and tight doors. Everything else was fantastic. The train was free and even though it was short, it was memorable. The best food is in the restaurant. Some of the food stands have less than fresh food but it was still good. Still no complaints. Also they have face paint and multiple gift shops. Zip lining as well. For the price and quality of fun it was really good.

Robert

Probably the nicest cleanest most wholesome Zoo I’ve ever been to inside the US. Most zoos & aquariums are in neighborhoods that I don’t normally go to or are far from me. Got kids & want to do something Sat - then you’re in good company. There is a mini train that kids love too. Go early for the train - it actually runs faster than you think. Animals look good & healthy too. Thank you for being in the area.

Gilda Wisniewski

Wonderful experience. The animals looked amazing and the Lions looked majestic. Giraffes were beautiful. Prairie dogs were adorable. The place has plenty of bathrooms in all locations directions. The cafeteria was clean and had a good selection of food and snacks. We had a great time.

Melissa Pellegrino

I went to turtle back zoo with our four year old special needs son. The grounds are gorgeous. The animals are beautiful. And the set up is very enjoyable. The staff is rude. They do not have patience. I didn’t see one staff member with exception of a Pony director named Emily crack a smile. We have been there before and had the same experience. It is a family establishment. It is necessary to treat your guests as such. Our child is friendly and non confrontational. He is easy going and smiles. He was placed on the pony by Emily he smiled. The other attendant was not happy because Our son wiggled a little she immediately pulled him off the pony without an attempt. My child was smiling through the whole thing. My husband mom and self not so much. :(.

sara vasquez

Not a very big zoo but has many animals. I was charged 15 per person which is on the pricier end for a small zoo but I still had a great time and enjoyed! The train ride was free and beautiful!

Sunil Bhutani

My two and a half years old daughter loved this zoo. It's a big zoo but you can easily cover it in one day! The zoo have a bunch of animals including giraffes, lion, alligator, cougar, snow leopard, monkeys, goats, fishes, reptiles and butterflies. You can feed the goats (50 cents for a small amount) as well as the giraffes (1$ per person). The place is big and clean. You can bring your own food and drinks if you like! Otherwise they do have cafes! Overall a great place to spend a day with your kids/family with toddlers. We will be going back there again.

Joe Brown

It was fantastic! I didn't know what to expect when I got there oh, but I was blown away by the amount of animals that they had. Everything was viewable barely anything sleeping. I went with the kids and everyone had a fantastic time. Is enough places to sit down and snack. Plenty of bathrooms throughout the park. Overall wonderful experience!

Matt Sinforosa

In my opinion a way better experience than Bronx Zoo, unless maybe if you live in The Bronx. Getting in and out is easy, the zoo is nice, clean, a pleasant walk through. Great animals and there are usually employees walking around to offer info or advice.

Shiek Guevara

Top Five must do things with the children in the summer. All types of animals and educational attractions. You can bring your own food and make sure you wear some comfortable clothes and shoes because you will be walking up and down hills and such. Worth the price of admission the TBZ gives you the opportunity to get a good quality experience right in New Jersey’s backyard. From bird feeding to goat feeding there are plenty of interesting interactive things to keep the little ones amazed and smiling. So get your sandwiches and H2O and make your way to see Mother Nature up close and personal. Oh! Yeah! Make sure you go check the lion and hyena’s out they were pretty cool!

B Braun

Beautiful zoo. Great place to bring children. Nice landscaping, nice exhibits and a free kiddy train ride. Unfortunately many of the exhibits are closed for renovations.

Bas

I took my 3 year old here for a day trip, we spent three hours there. This zoo is so clean and has amazing walk up windows for close encounters with the animals.

Christan Govich

Great zoo! On a week day we can see all the attractions in one day. On weekends in the summer it can be crowded, but still very enjoyable. Most memorable part every time we visit is feeding the birds! They have a large room filled with parakeets that you can feed. You can also bring in your own food and they have a nice picnic area.

P. Kahn

Went with our grand-daughter today and haven't been in over 20 years. The place looks so much better. The facility is in very good shape. Appreciated the hand washing stations, the train ride, clean bathrooms, 'reasonably' priced food, carousel and of course the animals. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because many of the stations were missing the animals. It's still August, so we would have expected all of them to be there. The giraffe area was especially nice and we had a great day.

Ruizhe Yang

It's a true gem in the area. My kid had a lot of fun days here. A few interactive fun: feeding giraffe, touch tank with rays, feeding sheep, pony ride, etc. Animal selection is diverse, from penguins to giraffes, from butterflies to bisons. Highly recommended.

Diana Galante

Terrific zoo, but there are always multiple exhibits closed each time we go. Fair warning, there are STEEP HILLS all over, so it's not great for anyone with knee issues. Also, pushing strollers up and down is tough. There's also not much shade so bring sunscreen or be prepared to burn. Birds, butterflies, animal feedings, pony ride, and carousel all cost extra AND only take cash. On top of that, the only ATM is at the front of the park.

Christian Alexander

Great experience all around; reasonable entrance fees, clean, and offers a great variety of animals. Highly recommend.

Michelle Mathews

I've been going to Turtleback for several years with my kids (now 4 and 6). It's always a great day out. There is plenty to see without being overwhelmed and the staff is knowledgeable and kind.

Vitaly Mikitchuk

If you ever wonder on a Saturday morning what do giraffes eat for lunch here's your chance to find out first hand and feed them. Kids love it.

Casey Lam

Great place to go with younger kids just to hangout and food are not crazy expensive but you can bring your own and plenty of spaces for you to have picnic. The train ride is a plus for the kids. Loved it, got membership to support this clean, awesome and friendly zoo.

Santosh Ravi Teja Goteti

This is a great place to visit. Kids will simply love it. Mostly during sunny days the big cats would be resting but not the wolves. Wolves will make your day !

David Ag***r

Nice place to go if you have nothing to do. They take of veterans so I appreciate it

Barry Deveau

Very much recommended. What a surprise to find a zoo like this where it is. Great place

Aaliyah Miller

What a wonderful local zoo and community gem. Visiting is an educational, family-friendly activity with something for everyone. My two year old twins loved the train ride and saw their first animals from the wild. I was impressed by the animal exhibits for the size of the zoo. You can see farm and exotic animals like giraffes, lions and leopards. A lot of effort goes into the maintenance. The staff are engaged and friendly. I like that they host a free day open to the community where parents and kids can learn about the public services available in Essex County. You're welcome to bring your own drink and snacks, which I prefer when going to places with young kids. Drop by and have a day if learning and fun. If you have young children and go early they will be ready for a nap by the afternoon.

Daniel Han

Everyone with a 18 month ~ 3 year old child should visit this zoo. Extremely child friendly. Most exhibitions have a opening/glass pane 3 feet high for kids to look through. The animals seem to have a lot more room to roam than other zoos. Also, each area seems to have been put together with a lot of thought behind them to best provide a native environment for each animal. For first timers, I recommend entering through the side/back entrance, which will start with smaller exhibitions, and eventually end at the other side of the zoo where the giraffes are.

Jessica Cawein

Amazing place to take your kids or just walk around. Touch tank is being renovated but that would've been awesome. Still a GREAT time!!

Tiffany Barnes

I love this place. You can totally go though the whole place in 3 hours if you really wanted. They change it up with certain things added. The park is always very clean and there is a lot to see. It's very kid friendly. The animals seem to be taken care of really well.

Roman Chyshkevych

It's a great small zoo with a great variety of animals and several hands on attractions. Great for little little kids. Has stroller access. But it is hilly so be ready for some excercise

J G

First off the sheriffs and parking attendants sent us to the wrong place to park. We parked then walked to the “zoo” gate. At the zoo gate they sent us to another main zoo gate which was very far from the first. We finally got to the gate walking around with a 3 year old. Then there was 1 line for birthday entrances which had about 20 people on it. By the time we actually got into the park it was about an hour. Pretty. Ad just to get into this place.

weusi baraka

My family enjoys this zoo. It's nothing extra special but the staff is always polite & helpful. the animals are kinda social and seem to make themselves avaialable for observation.

Justin Rogers-Cooper

This is a well designed zoo (as far as zoos go), with plenty to do for kids: a free train ride, petting zoo, touch center, outdoor/indoor eating areas, giraffe feeding, a walk thru aviary, and of course plenty of animals. There’s some exciting animals to see, like bald eagles, a cheetah, kangaroos, and a lynx. The penguins, wolf, and cougar were right up at the windows. The amenities are solid (several clean bathrooms), and while the food court was clean, the food choices need an upgrade - pizza, burgers, chicken fingers, etc is fine for the kid stuff, but they could use a few more options for those with various diet preferences. The parking was free! Just watch out for the nutters taking turns in the garage like there’s no other cars coming down (the garage needs better signage and mirror on the count).

D Barnes

Sweet little zoo. Turtle hospital was interesting. Liked the idea of misting stations throughout the zoo to help cool down.

Sarah Stempert

My one and a half year old had so much fun! The food was really expensive but it was even fun for me.

HEATHER BAKE

TBZ is a must if you have kids in northern Jersey . All types of animals and educational attractions. The best thing is you can bring your own food and drinks + they sell alcohol!! :). Totally worth the price of admission only 30 min away from the metro area. My daughter loved the bird feeding and the Giraffe feeding. We've already visited 6+ times this year and this is like best plan B place if you have nothing special for the weekend and your kids wanna get out of the house.

Kaleea Lorts

The kids love going inside and looking at the Prairie Dogs. All the animals are easily located and seen. They have several interactive zones like feeding giraffes, butterfly and bird enclosure, pony rides and goat petting area.

Sandra Stallings

It was amazing

Arleth Gallegos

The Children, the teachers and parents had so much fun and loved it as well. I recommend coming here and they have a mini train ride!

Keerthi Priya Arani

Train ride was dissapointing but enjoyed the birds encounter exhibit and other. Can get close up to the giraffes and feed them. Cafe has limited seating inside but there is more seating arrangements outside of and around the cafe. Overall, great experience for kids.

Hank Chang

Great for little ones to enjoy a day at the zoo. Completely manageable, and every once in awhile they have free days for the Essex County. The only downside is parking is sometimes pretty far , so come early in the morning if you want to see animals awake and also get reasonably close parking. And though It can be crowded, always something to do.

Christan Govich

Great zoo! On a week day we can see all the attractions in one day. On weekends in the summer it can be crowded, but still very enjoyable. Most memorable part every time we visit is feeding the birds! They have a large room filled with parakeets that you can feed. You can also bring in your own food and they have a nice picnic area.

Joel Crawford

This is such a nice little zoo and the family annual membership is a great deal. With a membership it is so nice to just stop by close to closing when the crowds have left. Weekdays are much less crowded.

Mrs. Betsy Rodriguez

Loved this zoo. We did go on a hot day so almost all the big animals were hiding in the shade. But it was a very nice experience with the family.

Laurel Bobbitt

This is a wonderful zoo! Clean and well kept. It’s a nice size- not too big but not tiny either. The train is a nice touch and was one of my kids favorite things. (Plus the train is included in your admission!)

Ashley C.

First time visiting while we were on vacation and I'm really glad we did! What a nice little zoo. On a really hot day it has a few areas to cool down along with the train ride, which goes right past the giraffes! Perfect place for an afternoon.

Patty Kath

Wear a good pair of shoes are sneakers because you have alot of walking to do.The train ride was very nice.I enjoyed all of the animals that i saw. Some of the exhibits were closed until the fall being the seals. If you need help there are people walking around to help.I really had a nice time.

Vincent Ricci

Excellent exhibits and such exotic animals. Great times with kids too.

Mark Leicht

I never knew about this place, being from Virginia. I had a friend of my mother recommend it. Upon arrival, it is a massive complex. Once inside the exhibits are amazing. You clean see the animals from different angles and their pens are large enough. So many various animals. The one downside is that while the price is lower, inside various exhibits have prices attached. For instance pony rides $2, feed sticks for the birds $2, and carousel was the same. But again you do not have to do those. Prepare to walk, as the complex is massive but well worth it. We did not get a chance to see everything because of the heat but when we return to NJ, we surely will return.

Melissa Quintana

Great zoo with a lot of good activities for small children. Free parking!! Only downside is its poorly laid out and its difficult to navigate around. Plus too many bees (or yellow jacks) and very aggressive! But overall very nice zoo would definitely return :)

Sylvia Tina

LOVE the lion family and my favorite the wolf's. And never seen a hyena before in person .. WOOOW. Beautiful!!!

Alyson Meredith

Always a fun day at the TBZ! Docents are friendly, animals are lively and so many improvements in the works! Despite a few closed exhibits (touch tank and sea lions) our family enjoyed all that there is to see.

Russell Markus

It's a decent zoo. But as a disclaimer, like all zoos, you are going to see depressed animals walking back and forth in a 5 foot path. If you want to feed the birds, $2. Want to feed three 3 giraffe, $3. Want to see butterflies, $2, and all that is after admission.

yali tamzok

I loved this place! I would suggest going at the time of opening, around 10:00am, because they close at 4:30 and if you go in the afternoon like we did, you won't get to see all the different areas before closing time. I would also suggest bringing your own stroller, because the rental ones didn't seem too comfortable and didn't have a shade on them. Also, keep in mind that you can't take the stroller inside some area, so be prepared to leave it outside some times.

Murali Ramsunder

Turtle Back Zoo has come a long way in the last few years. Now including lions and giraffes in addition to touch tank, petting zoo, pony rides and the fun train ride. Not too large so you can cover most of the zoo without getting awfully tired. A carousel is also available. Enjoy a wholesome family fun day at the zoo! PS, also close to the zoo, you have play area, mini golf, boating and an obstacle course in the tree tops.

Marcy Sin

Great zoo!! Wish they would offer more shows for little ones, though. The train ride is fun.

Reena Reena

I was volunteering for feel trip. But I can say best zoo in New Jersey. Widely spread and well taken care by authorities. Every path is interconnected. Zoo has cafe play are for kids. Separate sections for each aquatic animals.

P. Kahn

Went with our grand-daughter today and haven't been in over 20 years. The place looks so much better. The facility is in very good shape. Appreciated the hand washing stations, the train ride, clean bathrooms, 'reasonably' priced food, carousel and of course the animals. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because many of the stations were missing the animals. It's still August, so we would have expected all of them to be there. The giraffe area was especially nice and we had a great day.

robert hierspiel

Very crowded today. Parking lot full by 11 am. Could have been better signage for overflow parking. Lions not out because the county decides to show up on one of the busiest days of the season to cut trees thus closing the lion exhibits. People texting while walking with double strollers. One crew was 3 abreast all with double strollers. It was really a "zoo" today.

Barry Rauch

Great zoo. Only 15.00 admission and no extra charges once inside (except .50 for goat food and $3.00 for 2 pieces of lettuce to feed the giraffes). So worth the money and time to get there. The place is expansive and has a nice train ride to sit and relax. Touch tank you can play with sting rays. Overall a great place, inexpensive, and great for children.

Richard Mcnanna

Get the family seasonal pass. Totally worth it. The zoo keepers and docents are very helpful and kind.

Jen Gill

Excellent zoo! Staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. Always an enlightening experience. Exhibits are always clean. Animals appear healthy and happy. Interactive experiences (feeding giraffes, butterfly exhibit, budgie exhibit and feeding) are run well and always a big hit with kids and adults alike. Parking is convenient and free. Some hills are steep but everything is paved and well maintained.

Matthew Hilton

I hadn't been to Turtle Back Zoo since the early 80s. Wow! What a change! Visited while family members were in the area and my wife and I were not expecting much from a "kids zoo". We were pleasantly surprised! Animal selection was vast and very educational. Kept both the kids and adults entertained. Don't forget to ask about the military discount.

Liam Walsh

I went to this zoo with my family and was amazed at the wide variety of animals that they keep here. We had a blast seeing the animals and the way they look at you is just breathtaking. Anyone working there would help you with any of your questions that you have about the animals and otherwise. We didn't get any of the food here, but I imagine that it tastes just as good as it smells. Overall, the entire zoo had a very welcoming atmosphere with much to do for children and adults alike.

Kari

This place is awesome. I don’t get tired of going and they have giraffes now! Amazing. Adorable little zoo. Great for families and even couples in a cute date which I see often there including myself.

Vera Brichenko

Great experience for toddlers. My 3yo daughter enjoyed feeding a giraffe and riding the train the most. My 1.5yo got really excited about farm animals (you can also feed them) and the lions. The kids also loved the playground there. We spent about 4 hours in total at the zoo.

Joshua South

Visiting a friend in New Jersey, led us to this wonderful zoo. I thought the exhibits were very good and lots of room for the animals. There is lots of animals that you dont always see in a zoo. Although, there is so much to see, it is very manageable even if you cant walk alot. Plenty of places to sit and rest. The landscaping is breathtakingly beautiful. I would definitely return. Although, i live in New York. I would certainly return and bring a friend to enjoy this wonderful zoo.

Annie Khan

Love the turtle back zoo, clean environment, interactive with the animals and friendly staff... The Christmas lights up is awesome..

Iroda N.

Great place for toddlers. Petting zoo, feeding birds and giraffes, pony rides, train rides are wonderful memories for your little ones. Consider getting membership if you will go twice or more a year.

George Monroe

Great zoo! The perfect size and amount of animals to keep the kids entertained. There has been additional habitats built in the last couple of years and cannot wait to see what this place will look like in the near future. A must go!

Anne Fernandena

The kids loved it specially because they had the opportunity to feed the birds, the giraffe --the BEST experience and there was something for everyone to enjoy. The admission costs is reasonable, but you do have to pay for every extra activity like feeding the animals. The cost is not much and at least it goes back to the zoo for the upkeep--so don't fret. For the price you can see a lot of animals, including penguins, bald eagles, lions, a leopard, and a red panda.

Jen Gill

Excellent zoo! Staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. Always an enlightening experience. Exhibits are always clean. Animals appear healthy and happy. Interactive experiences (feeding giraffes, butterfly exhibit, budgie exhibit and feeding) are run well and always a big hit with kids and adults alike. Parking is convenient and free. Some hills are steep but everything is paved and well maintained.

Andre Rivers

Wow they've really fixed up this place. I was very impressed and my family and I had fun. The Flamingo and Penguin exhibits are awesome. I'd highly recommend coming here to a lot of my friends and family.

Amanda Dunyak

I love turtle back soon! It’s clean, the staff is friendly, it’s easy to navigate. The kids love the train. The animals seem well taken care of and we thoroughly enjoy a day out at the zoo!

Matthew Hilton

I hadn't been to Turtle Back Zoo since the early 80s. Wow! What a change! Visited while family members were in the area and my wife and I were not expecting much from a "kids zoo". We were pleasantly surprised! Animal selection was vast and very educational. Kept both the kids and adults entertained. Don't forget to ask about the military discount.

E. Irizarry

Helpful employees in this zoo. The animals look well taken care of. The zoo itself is well maintained. The reason for the 4 star is the facility itself is a little on the small side. I hope it gets the funding it needs to expand. It was a wonderful visit otherwise.

jose Last

Nice workers, very pleasant, nice atmosphere, lots of tourists from around the world. Everyone was on their best behavior, and very polite. Would like to go back sometime.

M River

I bought a membership for my family thinking it would be a great way to donate to the zoological society as well as enjoy the privileges that come with it. Had I known that there is not enough parking ,they are overcrowded, make no attempt to park members first, I would not have spent the money. First off , the zoo is very small and there aren't that many varieties of animals , so how can you have people buy memberships when you can't accommodate them with parking, on 3 occasions I took my family,We couldn't get in at all.Whats the point of a membership. This is fraud. I am definitely going to ask for my money back.

Ryan Booth

This is a very family friendly zoo. Just the right size! The staff is very helpful and informative. The place is well maintained. The animals seem to be taken care of very well too! Parking is very convenient too! The food selection is pretty good as well.

Stephanie Latini

This is a great adventure for the smaller set of children. It is a small zoo, so very manageable for a day trip. The exhibits have kids in mind and much of it is interactive. Clean zoo, nice staff. My kids loved the train ride.

Damaris Kovach

Nice zoo. Nice staff. Entrance tickets are priced to high though. Little toddlers pay the same price than adults --> expensive for families. Parking is free for visitors.

Jean Saenz

Took my daughter for her birthday to the zoo and I must say it's a very nice zoo. Its clean and the staff are actually pretty cool. The food place they have there actually sells pretty good food. The animals are awesome and you can't go wrong with a zoo like this. You actually enjoy yourself and they are not pricey good place for family but most importantly the kids.

Liam Walsh

I went to this zoo with my family and was amazed at the wide variety of animals that they keep here. We had a blast seeing the animals and the way they look at you is just breathtaking. Anyone working there would help you with any of your questions that you have about the animals and otherwise. We didn't get any of the food here, but I imagine that it tastes just as good as it smells. Overall, the entire zoo had a very welcoming atmosphere with much to do for children and adults alike.

Janeen Troy

It's a very nice zoo. My favorite part was the train ride, the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Kyle Scheffler

Fantastic zoo with great animals. The train ride is great too. Came here numerous times and I love it. Perfect place for anyone living in Essex county along with other places next door like a stadium and a miniature golf course.

Neil Butler

Free parking Allow you to bring your own food Awesome Animals we saw were giraffes, lions, grey wolf, leopard, leatherback turtle, butterfly house, bull, ostriches, pony ride (very brief, one short lap). Train ride was sweet; a very nice day for a family. Didn’t see pigs, or sheep, or bears, or cows. Petting zoo consists of goats only. They provide food to feed them, then sinks to wash your hands. I would go back for the touch tank, reptile house, and carousel which we missed.

Jackie PC

Clean, great layout. A nice stroll. First time and we will come back. Bathrooms were clean

genine wright-garner

So much more animals to see. We love the Zoo. We go every year. Definitely recommend it

Fatima Henriques

Love this zoo. Food inside was very pricey but animals are well kept and clean. My kids enjoyed their time They had plenty of shaded places to rest do wish they had a few more sitting areas around the zoo for older people.

Monica Floth

Beautiful place. Train ride is my favorite! So many animals. We love it and go multiple times.

Trinity

My family and I walked around here a number of times and always loved the wide variety of animals we've seen. The place is fairly clean and we had a great time.

Craig Bennett

A wonderful, medium sized zoo that you and your children can see all of in a single trip. They seem to be constantly renovating, and that means some favorite exhibits are sometimes closed. The amusements (pony rides, carousel, animal feeding, etc) are reasonable priced, and the parking is free.

Free Child

Excellent! We truly enjoyed our day there. Make sure to take a train ride. It's awesome. I liked it more than kids on that train. There's a great touch tank. Petting zoo. Playground. All animals look great. Giraffes are adorable. You can feed them for $3. Btw parking is free on weekends. Highly recommended. Be also mindful it closes at 4:30, but the park is big and you would want to spend more time there. A few hours are not enough to go through all of it.

Erin Schwendemann

Fantastic zoo. Very clean, animals looked healthy and well cared for. A lot to do and see so worth the trip for those an hour to an hour and a half away. Free parking!

Robbyn Tomko

Great zoo with a huge variety of animals. We went with our emotive family and had an awesome time. The savannah cafe there has decent food as well.

Jennifer Schaber

Fabulous family friendly zoo. Clean, great staff, and wonderful well cared for animals. They also let you bring in your own food and water bottles etc. The train is great and also free. I highly recommend!

Kari

This place is awesome. I don’t get tired of going and they have giraffes now! Amazing. Adorable little zoo. Great for families and even couples in a cute date which I see often there including myself.

Jake Danishevsky

Turtle Back Zoo is a fantastic place. I have been coming there for years, before I had my kids, and now with my family. Even though my kids are grown, they still enjoy variety of animals and what this place has to offer. Of course, I will not ask my grown kids if they want a train ride or a spin on a carousel, which they have, but the options of different animals, new exhibits and new species that this zoo brings in, is absolutely incredible. We have recently visited the zoo after a break for a while and they even have Lions, Hyenas, Giraffe's and amazing beautiful Flamingos. Including a few pictures here, since I am also an avid and part time professional photographer, to show how beautiful those animals are. I highly recommend this place to anyone, with or without the kids, with or without your camera, but I would strongly recommend bringing both :) Love this place.

Angelina Collins

A lot of walking but the animals are so lively. They have a lot to do here for both kids and adults. Will definitely return soon

Stefanie Ulicni

Great zoo! Definitely much nicer than it was when I was growing up. I love all the updates. Can't wait to go back!

little bit from everything

Not really met my expectations but better tan staying home, at least my kids seen some animal. Parking areas nice, easily reachable.

Roberto Santiago

I came with my wife who walks with a cane. We asked for a wheelchair and it was busted. I asked for a different one and I was told they only have one. Beautiful Zoo but must become more handicapped friendly.

Jackie Hundley

I am an animal lover. This small zoo has so much personality. I’ve been here many times and it always changes. They have nice employees and love that they hire special needs people to join their staff.

yee_yee0_0

It was a super cute place! Great place for family outings and field trips! If you go on a hot day, I recommend bringing plenty of water and a fan.

Daniella Steinmetz

Great place for families. We go whenever we are in the area (which is frequently as we have family in the area). It's worth it, especially if you get a membership.