I have lived in Stony Brook for over twenty years now and every year I have lived here I have made a trip to the Bronx Zoo IN WINTER!

When I  first moved here my friend Isabel took me to visit the then new Asia Exhibit that her husband had helped design. The snow was fresh on the ground and somehow masked the presence of footpaths and fences, producing a seemingly seamless winter landscape. Since then it became a family tradition even before I had kids….

Why ? Because it is absolutely beautiful! As you walk into the Zoo from the parking lot you get a real glimpse of New York City’s natural beauty. Snow covered, rocky out crops, frigid waterfalls and icy ponds.

…but for me the most spectacular sight is the Bengal Tigers who look spectacular against the blues and whites of the crisp, blanket of snow, they don’t look in the least bit cold with their magnificent orange coats. To watch them run and chase each other with their supple bodies, and huge paws leaving gigantic prints in the snow, the air around them filled with clouds of frozen breath, is pure magic.

And when you get cold you can retreat into one  of the heated exhibits, like the Bird House where life for the bee eaters of the African savanna is ‘business as usual’ against a painted back drop depicting grassy plains and acacia trees. But if you really want to warm up you should head for the hot and steamy temperatures of  Asia or the Congo.

If you visit the zoo during the holidays the gardens are filled with twinkling lights at night and the air is filled with holiday music .You can do your holiday shopping as well, and you may encounter a rather strange Santa touring the zoo with his animal friends…

The Zoo is a great place to visit any time of year, you will get plenty of healthy outdoor exercise and it’s educational too. But a visit after a snowfall is something else. The next time it snows think zoo!. 

Wendy