What kid isn’t wowed by majestic giraffes, vibrant flamingoes, and swinging monkeys? With a chance to see all those wild creatures and more, a trip to Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County is pure family fun. The zoo is a true New Jersey gem, even in the winter, and manageable for a fun day trip that’s well worth the ride if you live in other parts of the state. Read on to learn about my family’s must-see exhibits and what makes this zoo one of the best things to do in New Jersey. (featured photo credit: @f.a.n.n.y.c.h.a.n)

What We Did At Turtle Back Zoo In New Jersey

Flamingo fun

We always begin at the flamingo exhibit because my kids like seeing the pink birds and their unique features. As we made our way over there, a roaming peacock brushed past us (super cool, according to the kids). From there, we headed past the restaurant (more on that in a bit) and looked at the prairie dogs. It’s always a prime spot—you can hear kids giggling as they watch the prairie dogs dig and scurry through the glass tunnels.

Giraffes, lions, and big cats reign at Turtle Back Zoo.

Perhaps the biggest attraction at the zoo is the newer African Adventure section, where Masai giraffes roam and relax, surrounded by other friends, including majestic lions and entertaining hyenas. You can sign up for a giraffe feeding for an additional charge, and it lets you hand feed the giraffes (though no touching or petting is allowed). The giraffe section closes seasonally due to weather conditions, but you will surely see them in warmer temperatures. Afterward, we checked out the lions and hyenas and headed to the Shores of Africa, an indoor space where you can watch African penguins splash and swim.

Amazing Asia is another must-see exhibit, home to two scarce species — the Amur leopard and the red panda. Cloud leopards and adorable gibbons also call this exhibit home. Over in Wild America, jaguars roam throughout their 7,500-square-foot habitat and breeding area. Chances are you’ll spot them hanging out by the window on the heated rocks or taking a dip in the jaguar pool. Or see native birds of prey like the turkey vulture, owl, raven, Harris’ hawk, and bald eagle exhibit.

Old McDonald has a farm at Turtleback Zoo 

Aside from the exotic animals, Turtle Back Zoo is also home to Essex Farm. With pigs, ponies, goats, and sheep, Essex Farms is an idyllic farmhouse come true. The storybook barn has indoor stalls where littles can spend time peeking into stalls and seeing the inner workings of a farm. My kids are also fans of feeding the goats—you put coins into the stations near the pen and fill up a cone of grain to pet and feed them. After spending quality time at the farm (some kids want to be here all day), check out the wooden pavilion at the edge of the hill where littles can giddy up and ride a pony around a walking trail loop.

Under the sea

The touch tank is another fan favorite among my crew, perhaps because you can both touch and feed the stingrays. The 1,600-gallon tank holds sharks, too (though you don’t pet those), and it’s like a race to see how fast you can put your hands in as the rays glide by with their slippery skins and sleek moves. We gently touched a few and then watched the baby sharks speed through the tank. Next, we walked out of the building and caught the playful sea lions taking nosedives around their huge glass pool, designed to look like a natural habitat. We were mesmerized by the sea lions swimming underwater, and I realized this was a very good spot to take a calming, meditative break.

Take a ride on the Carousel or Train

We never leave without a ride on the Zoo Train, a miniature old-fashioned train with tracks along the water of the beautiful South Mountain Reservation. The train is always a hit, giving you a little downtime from all the walking. The train leaves approximately every 15 minutes from the station, is wheelchair accessible, and is free. The line can sometimes get a bit long, but part of the waiting area is shaded and moves quickly.

On the other side of the zoo, the Endangered Species Carousel is another popular attraction and a great way to get shade. Your kids can ride on a beautifully painted panda, alligator, tiger, or one of 30 other rare creatures featured on the carousel that was custom-built for Turtle Back Zoo. Admission costs $3 per ride.

Other animal exhibits

It’s possible to see all the animal exhibits in one day, depending on how long your kids can last. We were ready to leave, but my daughter didn’t want to go without a look at the black bears. They are usually snoozing, but you can get a pretty good look, and on this visit, we were amazed to see two of the big bears snuggled up by the glass and were in awe of their massive size.

This trip was short, but on other occasions, we’ve stopped by the Reptile House, where my kids are enthralled to see the snakes and the giant Kimono Dragon, who, according to my son, resembles a mini dinosaur. Others we like are the Australian exhibit with kangaroos and emus, and the Butterfly tent, where you can walk through and marvel at over 1,500 unique and vibrant specimens.

Fun at the Turtle Back Zoo in any season

The zoo is open year-round, but certain exhibits are closed during the winter. What’s great is that there are many special activities throughout the year, like Spooky Storytime and Safe Halloween in October. In December, the zoo goes all out with the Holiday Lights Spectacular, where you take an evening stroll among the light displays and stop by to have a s’more. Not all exhibits are open, but the event is free to attend, and kids can visit Santa. Beyond the holiday events, there are also weekly educational programs, including Zoo Explorers, Turtle Back Tots, Night Moves, Science Seminars, and summer camps.

What to know before you visit Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange

The zoo is hilly but laid out in a giant circle, so you don’t miss anything as you walk around it. But if you have a mission to see certain animals, the habitat-like exhibits are set in regions, letting you easily pick or choose the areas to hit. If you’re looking for a snack or lunch, the Savanna Cafe offers zoo views and kid-friendly options, such as fries and chicken nuggets. Adults can also enjoy a brew or wine from Zanzibar. You can bring food from outside if you prefer to brown-bag it, and there are picnic tables and shaded areas available for eating. It’s also a great size and doesn’t feel overwhelming for a half-day visit. We usually spend around two to three hours, but you could easily do more (or less).

Parking is plentiful, just know that Monday through Friday, the Park n’Ride parking garage closest to the main road is not free to park in. You can purchase tickets online or at the door, and consider joining as a yearly member if you live nearby. We think it’s well worth it because we can drop in anytime the kids feel bored or want to let some energy out. It’s become a holiday gift from the grandparents and a truly unique experience that my kids always enjoy receiving—and I know the memories of our visits here will stay with them for many years to come. Turtle Back Zoo is situated within the Essex County Park system’s South Mountain Reservation Recreation Complex. Admission for adults (ages 13+) is $22, $19 for kids 2-12 and seniors, and free for babies 24 months and under.

For more information, visit the Turtle Back Zoo on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052

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