Seneca Park Zoo
The Seneca Park Zoo is located in Seneca Park, right along the Genesee River in Rochester, New York. First opened as a zoo in 1894, the zoo is a mix of old and new, with old-style cage-and-glass exhibits giving way to newer exhibits that more closely mimic animals' natural habitats.
Exhibits
One of the first exhibits to be upgraded is the zoo's Rocky Coast Exhibit. Showcasing penguins, polar bears, and sea lions in pond and rock areas created to provide the animals with a more natural living space, the exhibit features glass areas so that visitors can watch the animals swim by, as well as a seated viewing area for sea lion feeding time, and an indoor area for the underwater viewing of the sea lions and polar bears. It's in this area that the zoo's popular cold-weather feature "Book and Beast" takes place, with story time for preschoolers led by zoo volunteers, who read a book along with one or more animal companions, allowing little ones to view some of the zoo citizens up close.
Another new area is the Animal Health and Education Complex. This area provides an opportunity for visitors to see what some of the exam and operating rooms look like at the zoo, and also houses the ZOT Zone (Zoologists of Tomorrow) with interactive displays and play areas that are just the right size for children to play veterinarian and zookeeper. A nearby cougar exhibit features a tunnel for children to crawl through that allows them into a safe glass enclosure in the middle of the exhibit to see the cougars up close and personal.
The zoo's elephants also have a new habitat located at the far end of the zoo, with more native African animal habitats planned for the future. A river exhibit showcases river otters and some of the zoo's reptile residents, and is close to a water play area perfect for hot summer days, as well as a playground area for children.
Amenities
The zoo also has a cafe, with the usual overpriced hot dog and hamburger-type foods, but the zoo also allows food to be brought in, and seating is plentiful near the cafe, with tables right outside the cafe, along the zoo walkway, and in a covered pavilion behind the cafe, which has overhead heating for colder days.
The main zoo gift shop is located right near the zoo entry, with a smaller gift area open in the Rocky Coast Exhibit during busy times. A butterfly exhibit is open during warm weather with no additional entry fee, and allows visitors to walk through at their leisure.
Rest rooms can occasionally be difficult to spot, with some located next to the cafe and inside in the river exhibit.
Hours and Admission
The zoo is open 364 days a year, closed only the first Saturday in June for a zoo member event. Hours and admission rates are seasonal, with the zoo open:
January 1 to March 31 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
April 1 to October 31 -10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.(open at 9 a.m. for Zoo members)
November 1 to December 31 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission rates are as follows:
January 1 through March 31
Adults (Ages 12-62) $6.00
Seniors (Ages 63+) $5.00
Youth (Ages 3-11) $3.00
Children (Ages 0-2) FREE
April 1 through October 31
Adults (Ages 12 - 62) $8.00
Seniors (Age 63+) $7.00
Youth (Ages 3 - 11) $5.00
Children (Ages 0 - 2) FREE
November 1 through December 31
Adults (Ages 12-62) $6.00
Seniors (Ages 63+) $5.00
Youth (Ages 3-11) $3.00
Children (Ages 0-2) FREE
Memberships and group rates are also available.
Seneca Park Zoo
2222 St. Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14621
585.336.7200
http://www.senecaparkzoo.org
