Zoos and Aquariums

This link includes local and several zoos and aquariums within a 2 hour trip. There is also a list of aquarium and zoo webcams if you can't leave your house for a long trip.

Zoos - MAP of zoos

Bergen County Zoological Park - 216 Forest Ave. Paramus, NJ 07652 - 201.262.3771
This zoo has lots of animals exotic and domestic, a farm yard, and special events throughout the year. They are open everyday from 10AM-4:30PM. The cost is only $2.50 for adults and $1.50 for kids 3-14 (this is charged only Wed-Sunday and May-October) The offseason is free.

Brandywine Zoo – 1001 North Park Drive Wilmington, DE 19802 - 302.571.7747 ( less than an hour south of Norristown)
They have 150 animals from tigers to snakes, and lots of programs and events for children. They are open 10AM-4PM daily. The cost (June - September) is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 3-11, children under 3 are free. The cost (October-May) is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, $2 for children 3-11, children under 3 are free.

Cape May Zoo - 4 Moore St. Cape May Court House, NJ - 609.465.5271
This beautiful zoo on 80 acres of land has over 200 different species of mammals, birds and amphibians. This zoo is open everyday except christmas and the hours are 10AM-3:45PM (4:45PM in the summer). THE COST IS FREE!

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo - 13019 Catoctin Furnace Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788 - 301.271.3180
This great zoo has so many different animals, cool exotic daily shows, special events and birthday parties. They are closed December through February and their hours change throughout the season so check out their hours page. The cost is $13.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 2-12 and $11.95 for seniors.

Claws and Paws - 1475 Ledgedale Rd. Lake Ariel, PA 18436 (directions) -570.698.6154 (1.5 hrs north of Norristown)
They have animal shows, Dino digs, and giraffe and parrot feeding. They are open May to October from 10AM-6PM. The cost is $12.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 2-11, $11.95 for seniors, and under 2 is free.

Cohanzick Zoo - West Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ - 609.451.9208
This New Jersey's first zoo has white tigers, bears, leopards, ring-tailed lemurs, and eagles and many more types of animals.They are open everyday but holidays from 10AM-6PM in the spring & summer and from 9AM-4PM in the fall & winter. THE COST IS FREE!

Elmwood Park Zoo - 1661 Harding Blvd. Norristown, PA 19401 - 610.277.3825
This small zoo is perfect for your preschool aged kids, they have a good amount of animals from jaguars, to porcupines, to King Cobras. They have pony rides and special events. The zoo is small and you can walk around the whole thing in about 45 minutes, but they have a great playground, a prairie dog tunnel, and a petting zoo. They are open 10AM-5PM year round. The cost is $9.75 for adults, $6.75 for children ages 2 - 11 and seniors, and kids under 2 are free. Their memberships are really affordable and great if you live close they also get you into ZooAmerica in Hershey, Brandywine Zoo, Catoctin Zoo, Bergen County Zoo, and Lehigh Valley Zoo for FREE!

Lehigh Valley Zoo - 5150 Game Preserve Rd. Schnecksville, PA 18078 - 610.799.4171
Special habitats at the Zoo include the Reptile House, Nature Study Building, the Educational Amphitheater. There is a petting farm, horse-drawn wagon rides and pony rides. They are open allyear long, but rates and hours vary depending on the time of year so please check out their hours/rates page.

Philadelphia Zoo – 3400 W. Girard Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 215.243.1100
They have so many great exhibits inside and out. They have a new big cat attraction, and if you're a member you can take your kids to the tree house for a great time of running, playing , and climbing. They are open 9:30AM-5PM daily March through November and 9:30-4PM daily December-February. The cost is $16.95 ($12.95 in winter) for adults, $13.95 ($12.95 in winter) for children 2-11, and kids under 2 are free.

Zooamerica Wildlife Park - 100 West Hersheypark Drive Hershey, PA 17033 - 717.534.3900( over an hour and a half west of Norristown)
They have conservation programs, kids fun programs, camps, and daily activities. Their hours vary depending on the date so check out their calendar page. The cost is $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for kids 3-8 and seniors, and free for kids under 3.

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Aquariums - MAP of aquariums

Adventure Aquarium – 1 Aquarium Dr. Camden, NJ 08103 - 856.365.3300
This newly redone aquarium is a must see with so many different new and changing exhibits that put you in a completely different habitat. They have a 4D theatre, penguin, seals, hippos, and feeding shows, and an interactive section. They are open daily from 9:30AM-5PM. The cost is $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 2-11, and children under 2 are free.

Big Als Aquarium Store - 2876 Dekalb Pike East Norriton, PA 19401 - 610-239-1645
This free attraction is really an aquarium store but in the back they have 1000s of tropical fish, hermit crabs, lizards, turtles and they have a 5000 gallon shark tank in the center. Every Tuesday night at 7PM they feed the sharks which is really cool to watch. Definitely a must see - and FREE!

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Aquarium & Zoo Webcams

Monterey Bay Aquarium - They have so many different live webcams your kids can spend the afternoon watching animals.

National Zoo - They have cams the amazon river, elephants, otters, leopards, cheetahs, ferrets and more. You have to go at the right time.

New England Aquarium - A great Webcam that even tells you when feeding time is.

San Diego Zoo Cams - They have a polar cam, an ape cam, an elephant cam, and a Panda Cam.

Waikiki Aquarium - They have a seal, shark and coral reef camera. Just like being in Hawaii.

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