Are you near Watertown, New York and looking for a fun zoo? In this post, learn about some amazing zoos and nature centers that are only a short drive away.
If you love animals like I do, then you also might enjoy viewing animals at zoos. Even if we prefer to see most animals in their natural habitats out in the wild, it’s not always feasible, which is why zoos are great.
We can learn so much and see animals that we would never be able to feasibly (or safely!) do on our own. For example, even though wolves are not supposed to live in New York anymore, it’s still possible to see one – even in the North Country.
However, I’d rather see the grey wolves in Syracuse, NY. It is likely my only chance to observe wolves in person, since I certainly don’t plan on trying to find them in the woods on my own.
Whether you love animals yourself, or you have children who love to go to the zoo, or if you are just looking for a fun way to spend the day, the zoos below will provide plenty of entertainment and enrichment. Many of the spots on the list are within an hour’s drive of Watertown, but others might be better for an overnight visit.
Zoo New York in Watertown
The closest zoo to Watertown is Zoo New York, which is located directly in the City of Watertown at Thompson Park. Zoo New York encompasses about 32 acres and hosts a large variety of animals, including elk, a golden eagle, river otters, American Black Bears, wolves, a butterfly house, farm animals, and more.
Zoo New York is open year-round, but only weekends during the winter months, with a few exceptions (i.e. nice weather days). This is a reasonably priced zoo, and if you are in the area, it’s a great place to take the family and support the local conservation efforts.
You can visit the Zoo New York website for more information.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse
The Syracuse Zoo, also known by its official name of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, is about an hour south of Watertown on I-81.
One of the most notable elements of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is the baby twin Asian Elephants that were born in the fall of 2022. This zoo has a renowned breeding program for this endangered species, and you can see the fruits of their efforts in person at the elephant house.
The Rosamond Gifford (Syracuse) Zoo has more information about how to visit on their website.
The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango
This privately-owned zoo is located about 1 hour and 20 minutes south of the Watertown area, just east of Syracuse. The Wild Animal Park hosts a wide variety of animals, including big cats, black bears, wolves, camels, hyenas, reptiles, primates and birds.
You can learn more about how to visit this zoo on its website or see the list of animals.
Utica Zoo
There is more information about how to visit the zoo and the types of animals and exhibits available on The Utica Zoo website.
Seneca Park Zoo
The Seneca Park Zoo has lots of information about how to get tickets and plan your visit on its website.
Saunders Country Critters Zoo Sanctuary in Oxford Station, Ontario
The Saunders Country Critters Zoo and Sanctuary has a wealth of information about how to visit and the animals that you will see on its website.
Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough, Ontario
If you have a passport and a weekend, then definitely consider taking the family to Peterborough Ontario to the Riverview Park and Zoo. This is Canada’s only free-admission zoo, and it is also a beautiful park.
The park boasts a splash pad, gardens, a train ride, a playground, free disc golf, picnic areas, and a trail along the Otonabee River. Combined with the free zoo, which includes more than 150 animals and 40 distinct species, it makes for a very fun day.
This zoo is extra special because it has a heavy focus on animal welfare and conservation, which I love. Plus, it has river otters, which are my absolute favorite animal ever.
The Riverview Park and Zoo website has tons of information of how to plan a visit and more detail about all of the activities available at this location. Definitely worth the visit!
Montréal Biodôme – Quebec
Not everyone in Watertown or Fort Drum knows that Montreal is less than three hours away. Montreal is a beautiful city that definitely gives European vibes, and there is plenty of entertainment available, including the Biodôme and the Zoo Ecomuseum.
The Biodôme is so much fun because it is a huge building that is, literally, the shape of a dome. The interior of the dome is set up to showcase animals in their natural habitats, with each floor of the dome hosting unique ecosystems.
Don’t let the fact that Montréal is in Quebec, Cananada where the official language is French stop you from visiting this very cool city, signs are also in English and all of the employees at major tourist attractions are bilingual. All U.S. citizens need to go to Canada at the land crossing (i.e. driving across the border) is a valid US passport.
You can learn more about the Biodôme on the website.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has given you plenty of great options for zoos close to Watertown. Whether it’s an afternoon, daytrip, or a short weekend of fun, there are plenty of animals to see within a short drive of the area.
If you have any questions about something that you read here, or if you want to recommend your favorite place to see live animals in Northern New York, please join in the discussion below.
Thanks for reading today!