For families drawn to towering dinosaurs, the Bronx Zoo’s Dinosaur Safari has offered a memorable way to imagine prehistoric life. Its animatronic creatures have turned a wooded setting into an outdoor adventure, introducing children to animals that lived long before New York City existed.
But before building a trip around the attraction, check which information applies to your travel dates. Dinosaur Safari has appeared in different editions, and older opening announcements do not establish whether it is operating today.
Dinosaur Safari availability, checked October 20, 2026: The zoo’s official map page displayed “Not in Operation,” while its former Dinosaur Safari landing page redirected to the zoo’s homepage. No new operating dates were confirmed in the official sources reviewed. This does not establish a permanent closure. Check directly with the Bronx Zoo before booking a visit specifically for Dinosaur Safari.
How Dinosaur Safari has changed
The original announcement for the 2019 season described a narrated ride past 40 animatronic dinosaurs. Those dates and that ride format should no longer be used as current visitor information.
In March 2025, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced a different edition: an immersive walking experience with more than 60 life-size animatronic dinosaurs and pterosaurs, opening April 12 that year. Its features included opportunities to explore fossil-themed activities and learn about prehistoric animals.
That distinction matters when planning with children. A walking trail involves a different pace from a seated ride, and moving, roaring models may delight some young visitors while overwhelming others. If another edition is announced, check its route, accessibility information and sensory guidance before deciding whether it suits your family.
Build a Bronx Zoo day around your family’s interests
Even without a confirmed Dinosaur Safari visit, the Bronx Zoo offers plenty to explore. Its roughly 265 acres make it a substantial outing, so give it a generous place in your New York itinerary.
Choose a few priorities before arriving. A child fascinated by primates might want more time at Congo Gorilla Forest, while another may be happiest watching reptiles or exploring the Children’s Zoo. Let those interests shape the day instead of attempting every exhibit.
Use the zoo’s interactive map to check attraction status, locate facilities and reduce unnecessary walking. Allow space for lunch, rest stops and the unexpected animal encounter that becomes the highlight of the visit.
Make time for Congo Gorilla Forest and JungleWorld
Congo Gorilla Forest rewards visitors who pause to watch. Gorillas’ interactions offer children opportunities to notice social behavior, while the wider exhibit introduces other wildlife, including okapis and red river hogs.
Check its seasonal schedule before visiting. Outdoor animal viewing can vary with conditions, and the zoo notes that gorillas can also be viewed indoors during colder months within the exhibit’s operating season.
JungleWorld offers another perspective on wildlife, with animals including Indian gharials, gibbons and tapirs. Look carefully and give each habitat time rather than moving on after the first sighting.
Families using strollers should know that both exhibits require stroller parking before entry. Checking these practical details ahead of time helps when planning naps, carrying bags or visiting with children who tire easily.
Add a stop designed for younger visitors
The seasonal Children’s Zoo combines wildlife viewing with opportunities to meet farmyard animals. It can provide a change of pace for younger children after larger exhibits, with animals such as prairie dogs and fennec foxes among those highlighted by the zoo.
Keep the afternoon flexible. One more carefully chosen stop can work better than a long list of attractions across the grounds. If an animal captures your child’s attention, leave time to watch rather than hurrying toward the next item on the map.
For more ideas on pacing a family trip, see DRIFT’s advice for traveling with kids.
Check tickets, hours and access before traveling
The zoo recommends purchasing tickets in advance. Read the current admission descriptions carefully, particularly if your plans include attractions with different ticket inclusions. Avoid relying on the old article’s “Total Experience” terminology or assuming a past Dinosaur Safari admission arrangement still applies.
Opening hours change seasonally, and animal exhibits generally close before the park itself. Review the official visitor information before setting your arrival time, especially for a late-afternoon visit.
Choose your entrance with your route and mobility needs in mind. The zoo recommends the Southern Boulevard entrance for guests with mobility concerns because it has fewer incline changes and is closer to the central section of the grounds. Its accessibility guide includes an accessibility map and information about available support.
Where dinosaur fans can go in New York City
If dinosaurs are the main reason for your family’s trip, consider a separate visit to the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.
The Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs features imposing Tyrannosaurus rex and Apatosaurus mounts. The Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs includes familiar animals such as Triceratops and Stegosaurus. These permanent halls offer a different experience from an animatronic trail, using fossils and interpretation to explore prehistoric life.
Let children choose a favorite dinosaur and look closely at its teeth, legs and body shape. Comparing specimens can turn a museum visit into a conversation about how these animals moved and fed.
Check museum admission arrangements and temporary hall notices before visiting. Give the museum and zoo separate days if your schedule allows; each deserves time without a rushed transfer across the city.
A flexible approach to a family zoo visit
Plan the morning around your highest-priority exhibit, followed by a nearby stop and a proper lunch break. Use the afternoon for one or two additional experiences, adjusting to your children’s energy and the day’s conditions.
If Dinosaur Safari is announced for your dates, fit it into that plan after confirming its format and admission details. Until then, the zoo’s wildlife exhibits and New York’s dinosaur halls offer clear starting points for a family trip built around curiosity.
