Our Day Trip to the Cape May County Zoo: Free, Fun, and Worth Every Mile

A fun and easy going day for the whole family at the Cape May County Zoo with the kids is the perfect way to get outdoors and connect with nature. The zoo is free and has other great amenities such as playgrounds and picnic benches.

5 min read

If you’re looking for a zoo in New Jersey that’s actually worth the drive, the free Cape May County Zoo in New Jersey should be near the top of your list. When I’m planning a day trip with three kids, I need something that’s fun, affordable, and keeps everyone entertained from the parking lot to the ride home. This place checks every single box.

Hi! 👋 I’m a mom of three kids (ages 4–11) based in Bucks County, PA, and our family is always on the lookout for trips that are actually doable — on a real budget, around a real school schedule, and with kids in tow. Think short getaways, summer vacations, and reviews from a family of five that plans carefully but still likes to have a good time.

We already had a weekend trip planned to Wildwood to visit family, so we added this as a stop and we’re all glad we did!

Plan Your Visit

Before you pack everyone into the car, here’s what you need to know:

Admission: Free! Donations are accepted and appreciated, and they go directly toward animal care.
Parking: Also free! Pull into their large lot, park, and walk right in. There’s no ticket booths and no lines.
Drive time: About 2 hours from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from most of South Jersey, and easily combined with a shore stop if you’re already heading to the Cape May or Wildwood area.
How long to plan: Budget a half day at minimum, and longer if you add the zip line course.
Stroller-friendly: Yes! Paths are paved and easy to navigate with a stroller or wagon throughout.
Food: There’s a small grab-and-go café inside the zoo, plus picnic areas outside near the playgrounds.

All the Animals

This is not a small petting zoo. The Cape May County Zoo is home to over 550 animals and more than 250 species, which means you should plan at least 2 hours just for the animal exhibits if you want to do it justice.

When we entered, we followed the path to the left and headed straight for the bears, camel, bison, and lions. We happened to arrive just as the zookeeper was feeding the bear, which meant it was actually up and moving around. The kids were thrilled! They also loved spotting animals you don’t typically see at local zoos, like the camel and bison. That bison was impressively large!

With the smaller animals, the kids had fun trying to spot them. The monkeys were tucked up in the trees and blended right into their surroundings, which led to a lot of excited “I see one!” moments. We also stopped at the reptile house, which is always a hit. The kids especially loved the turtles, who were out and actively eating their leafy greens, and we even spotted an axolotl, which is basically a celebrity in our house.

Since the zoo path isn’t a perfect loop, don’t forget to walk to the back, cross the bridge, and head out to see the giraffes and zebras. The entrance is a little easy to miss, so look for the signs. It’s a beautiful walk through the trees out to the open land where these animals roam. We watched the giraffes reach the treetops and the zebras soak up the sun.

On our way out, we stopped at the petting zoo, which is just to the right of the main entrance. We missed it on the way in, so make a mental note. We’ve seen pigs and goats plenty of times, but getting to feed them made it feel brand new. Bring some coins or small bills to use the animal food dispensers.

The Zip Line Course

This is the part my kids are still talking about, mostly because they want to try it next time. The zoo has a zip line course where kids and adults zip from tree to tree, and everyone doing it looked absolutely thrilled. We stopped to watch for a while, and the negotiating began almost immediately.

It’s a paid add-on with age and height requirements, so check the zoo’s website for current pricing and eligibility before you go. It’s officially first on our list for next time.

What to Bring

A little prep goes a long way. Toss these in your bag before you head out:

Sunscreen and hats — most of the walking is outdoors with limited shade
Comfortable shoes (you will log some miles)
Packed lunch or snacks for your picnic — leave them in the car until you’re ready to eat (with lots of ice packs since the car will get warm)
A small donation for the zoo, plus coins or cash for the petting zoo food dispensers
A stroller or wagon for younger kids — paths are stroller-friendly throughout

Car Ride Snacks

No road trip is complete without snacks. For our ride down, the kids cycled through their usual rotation — Cheez-Its, Goldfish, gummies, and some fresh fruit to balance things out. If you’re going in the warmer months, pack a separate cooler just for the ride home. Load it with ice packs so drinks and snacks stay cold while you’re at the zoo. It’s one of those small details that makes the return trip noticeably more pleasant.

👉 Looking for more ideas? Check out my Road Trip Essentials post for everything we pack before hitting the road!

Make a Full Day of It

The zoo alone fills a solid half day, but if you’re coming from a distance, it pairs well with other Cape May area stops. Cape May itself is about 20 minutes south and is lovely for a late afternoon beach walk. Wildwood is close by for boardwalk dinner. And if you’re feeling adventurous, the Cape May–Lewes Ferry is a fun add-on for older kids.

Why We Keep Coming Back

What I love most about the Cape May County Zoo is how much it packs into one place. It’s not just about seeing animals, it’s a full day out as a family. Giraffes and bison, a picnic lunch, playgrounds, a petting zoo, and a zip line course we’re still dreaming about. All of it (except the zip line), without an admission fee.

By the end of the day, the kids were still chatting in the car about their favorite animals and debating what they’d tackle first when we came back. That’s the best review I can give.

The Cape May County Zoo is one of the best free things to do in New Jersey with kids, whether you’re making a day trip from Philadelphia, spending a week at the shore, or just looking for a budget-friendly family outing that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Pack a lunch, wear comfy shoes, and go. You’ll be planning your next trip before you even get back to the car.

Lunchtime Plans

One thing to know: you can’t bring food into the zoo itself. But you have two solid options. There’s a café inside with kid-friendly staples like chicken fingers, french fries, and burgers, with prices that are actually reasonable for an attraction. Or pack your own lunch and use one of the picnic tables just outside the zoo entrance. Simple, easy, and budget-friendly.

Playgrounds and More

The Cape May County Zoo grounds have more than animals, it’s a full outing. After we finished the animal exhibits, the kids made a beeline for the playgrounds. There’s a larger structure for older kids with tall slides and climbing equipment, and a separate tot area that’s just right for little ones. My crew could have stayed for hours

There are also restroom buildings near the playgrounds, which is a very welcome detail — no porta-potties and no long walk back to the main entrance.