Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

I had a fantastic experience at Turtle Back Zoo! The exhibits are well-maintained, and the variety of animals, especially the diverse cat family species, is impressive. What truly stood out was the thoughtful design – exhibits were aligned with their respective continents. For instance, the Asian exhibits were beautifully crafted in an authentic Asian style, enhancing the immersive experience. The friendly and knowledgeable staff added an educational touch by sharing interesting facts about the animals while making rounds. The zoo's commitment to conservation and education, coupled with its attention to cultural details, makes it a great place to spend a day reconnecting with nature and learning about wildlife. I highly recommend it!

We visited the lovely Turtle Back Zoo for the Christmas lights and had such a delightful time. The best part was that we had to donate food or clothes to enter instead of paying for a ticket, which was so thoughtful! Our visit included a fun train ride (with a half an hour wait time), face painting (for an extra cost), visiting Santa Claus, the touch tank for the rays, Christmas themed food and drinks and of course, the mesmerizing lights. We had a lot of fun here and can't wait to visit the zoo during summer and see the animals.

Lots of animals to enjoy. Paked Cafe with Many food options. Pony ride and carousel. My favorite part was the petting area with stingrays. Also a fun train ride.