Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange

This is a great little zoo that has a huge heart for its compact size. When you enter the Zoo you are met with the feeling that the staff care about the animals and that the animals enjoyed their life. The big cats had plenty of room to roam and the smaller exhibits had plenty of enrichment to keep their occupants entertained. The primates were our favorite. They were running around playing with each other and taking turns chasing around each other with a. 5 gallon water jug filled with their snacks. The turtle recovery tanks were well maintained and the cameras added a sense of closeness while still allowing the low stress environment necessary for the animals to recover from their ailments. We absolutely loved watching the cheetah and it's Labrador buddy chase each other around and then enjoy a good nap while cuddled up. You can really tell they enjoy each other's company. It was very sweet. Parking was super convenient and free so no argument there. This really is a must visit zoo for anyone capable. I may modify this in the future to award the 5th star but that won't be until I see how the construction finishes and the remaining animals return to their exhibits.

We spent a lovely Autumn day at the zoo. It has been years since I’ve last visited and the changes are huge, all for the good. The layout is well planned so that even crowds never make it seem packed. We even tried the Zip Line! We stopped for a snack and we’re surprised with the quality and reasonable prices at the cafe. Don’t miss the train ride which is included with admission. Plenty of parking is available.