What are some of our favorite things about Fall in the Bronx you ask? Aside from beautiful foliage on the Bronx River and crisp autumn walks at Orchard Beach, we’d have to say Boo at the Zoo! Our family has made this annual Bronx Zoo event an October tradition since our now 15 year old was little, and we’re still going strong with her little sister Gia. If you’re wondering what to expect at this year’s Boo at the Zoo, follow along as Gia- ahem Ladybug– helps us share our favorite features from this year.
We’ve also got a special promo code for Bronxmama readers! Become a Member and receive 15% off Family Zoos Plus Membership with promo code BRONXMAMA15.
First, Gia recommends stopping and snapping a photo of the daily schedule to plan your visit. There are some events that only happen a few times a day, so be sure to plan your route around the ones you don’t want to miss.
Below are just some of the fun activities you can expect from Boo at the Zoo:
- Fun Halloween crafts to take home- including the chance to decorate a trick-or-treat bag before the Candy trail
- Expert artists creating giant animals out of pumpkins. Shout out your favorite species during speed carves and see if they can create it!
- Animal-inspired magic & mind reading shows
- Enjoy Halloween treats and discover some of the animals’ favorite snacks along the way at the Candy trail
- Show off your Halloween best at the costume parade, alongside the stilt walkers and Halloween-themed puppets
And keep in mind, all of the Boo at the Zoo elements are fully outdoors- making this a super safe event for all of our little ones.
We decided to kick off our visit with some magic. We loved Master Magician David Levitan! His humor made it fun for the entire family, and Gia was lucky enough to be chosen as his assistant for part of the show. What a way to kick off our visit!
Of course, being at the zoo there’s still plenty to see in between all of the Halloween fun. Gia wondered what the animals thought of all the costumed kids walking around- especially ones dressed like animals themselves! Our favorite thing about visiting the zoo this time of year is being able to explore the 265 acres of hardwood forest as the leaves change colors, all while being surrounded by over 10,000 animals (spanning 700 species!). And of course, a day spent outside is always a fun way to make memories with our nature loving family and friends.
There’s also plenty of fun photo opps throughout the park. Gia’s fave was right across from the Bug Carousel- which is decorated with spooky skeletons and spiderwebs- along with fun Halloween tunes to enjoy.
Gia’s absolute favorite part of the day was the Halloween parade, which takes place at 12, 1, and 2 at Astor Court- so be sure not to miss it! These stilt walking animals and other fun costumed creatures did such a great job! They walked around Astor Court, stopping to interact with children and their families. During the parade we took photos with the most stylish Zebra we’ve ever seen, had a spider try to steal our Halloween candy, and laughed our butts off when the turkey vulture paid us a visit (you can see that fun footage here.)
And there you have it! Gia hopes your visit is as magical as ours was- but first let’s share some important info to know before you go.
- Vaccination is required for all indoor exhibits at the Bronx Zoo for anyone over 12 years old. To make entry easy, folks who are vaccinated receive a wrist band after showing proof of vaccination and ID (Check the Know Before You Go Page for the latest information on mask and vaccination policies, consistent with NY State/City and CDC guidance)
- Masks are required for all indoor areas and rides
- All visitors, including Members, need a date-specific ticket reserved in advance
Bronx Zoo Membership Promo Code!
If you’re not already a member of the Bronx Zoo, this is the ideal time of year to purchase a Family Zoos PLUS Membership because you’ll have access to Boo at the Zoo (while tickets are available- book now before they’re gone!), discounts on Holiday Lights, and unlimited access to Dinosaur Safari, which returns Spring 2022 with bigger dinosaurs than ever before! Membership pays for itself in just one visit, so be sure to take advantage of our exclusive discount on Family Zoos PLUS Membership for BronxMama followers. Become a Member and receive 15% off Family Zoos Plus Membership with promo code BRONXMAMA15. Valid 10/4-10/31.
For more information about Boo at the Zoo and to grab your tickets, visit here!
Discount applies to Family Zoos PLUS Membership products only — no other memberships are eligible for discount. Not applicable towards prior purchases; no cash back or credit will be issued. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Discount code must be entered at the time of checkout. Online transactions only. Valid for first—time Member enrollment only. Offer ends 10/31/2020 at 11:59pm. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are our own.