16 zoos in and around N.J. to visit this summer

Turtle Back Zoo isn't the only game in this town. Check out these other nearby options. Watch video

If you can't make it to the African plains this summer, just hop into your car and hit the highways of New Jersey.

There are six major zoological parks in the Garden State, with 10 more just outside its boundaries.

From the Cape May County Park and Zoo down south, to the Bergen County Zoo up north, New Jersey's zoos are home to thousands of animals from lions to lemurs, giraffes to jaguars, and polar bears to prairie dogs.

Check out this list of 16 must-visit zoos in New Jersey and the surrounding area.

New Jersey

Cohanzick Zoo is located at 99 Mayor Aitken Drive in Bridgeton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the spring and summer. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 856-453-1658 or visit CityOfBridgeton.com.

Cape May County Park and Zoo is located at 707 North Route 9 in Cape May Court House. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 609-465-5271 or visit cmczoo.com.

Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $14, children 2 to 12 and seniors older than 62 is $11, and children 23 months and younger are free. For more information, call 973-731-5800 or visit turtlebackzoo.com.

Popcorn Park Zoo is located at 1 Humane Way in Forked River. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closing at 2 p.m. on holidays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children younger than 3 to 11, and free for children younger than 3. Admission for school groups or other groups taking tours is $2 per person. Small popcorn is $2, and large is $2.50 to feed the animals. For more information, call (609) 693-1900 or visit ahscares.org.

Bergen County Zoo is located at 216 Forest Avenue in Paramus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is currently free for the winter season. Beginning in May, admission is $4 for adults county residents and $8 for out of county; $2 for children between 3 and 14 county residents and $5 for out of county; seniors 62 and older are $1 for county residents and $2 for out of county; and children 3 and younger and active military are free. For more information, call 201-262-3771 or visit co.bergen.nj.us.

Space Farms Zoo and Museum is located at 218 Wantage Avenue in Wantage. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $17 for adults, $13 for children 3 to 12, $15.50 for seniors 65 and older, and children 3 and younger are free. For more information, call 973-875-5800 or visit spacefarms.com.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $23 for adults, children between 2 and 11 is $19, and children younger than 2 are free. For more information, call 215-243-1100 or visit philadelphiazoo.org.

Elmwood Park Zoo is located at 1661 Harding Boulevard in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10.95 for adults, $7.95 for children between 3 and 12, $9.95 for students with ID, $7.95 for seniors 65 and older, and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 610-277-3825 or visit elmwoodparkzoo.org.

Zoo America is located at 201 Park Avenue in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Hours vary. Admission is $11.50 for adults, $9.50 for children 3 to 8 and seniors 55 and older, and free for children 2 and younger. For more information and hours, visit zooamerica.com or call 717-534-3900.

Delaware

Brandywine Zoo is located at 1001 North Park Drive in Brandywine Park, Wilmington, Delaware. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults, and $5 for children between 3 and 17, and seniors 62 and older. For more information, call 302-571-7747 or visit brandywinezoo.org.

Maryland

Plumpton Park Zoo is located at 1416 Telegraph Road in Rising Sun, Maryland. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $11.95 for adults, $7.95 for children between 2 and 12, free for children younger than 2, and $9.95 for seniors. For more information, call 410-658-6850 or visit plumptonparkzoo.org.

New York

Central Park Zoo is located at 64th Street and 5th Avenue in New York. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. General admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $9 for seniors. For more information, call 212-439-6500 or visit centralparkzoo.com.

Bronx Zoo is located at 2300 Southern Boulevard in Bronx, New York. Hour are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Open from Admission is $30.55 online and $33.95 at the gate for adults, $21.55 online and $23.95 at the gate for children 3 to 12, $26.05 online and $28.95 at the gate for seniors 65 and older, and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 718-220-5100 or visit bronxzoo.com.

Prospect Park Zoo is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. General admission tickets purchased online are $8 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 12, $6 for seniors 65 and older, and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 718-399-7339 or visit prospectparkzoo.com.

Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Corona, New York. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. General admission tickets purchased online are $8 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 12, $6 for seniors 65 and older, and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 718-271-1500 or visit queenszoo.com.

Staten Island Zoo is located at 614 Broadway, West Brighton in Staten Island, New York. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for children 3 to 14, and children 2 and younger are free. For more information, call 718-442-3100 or visit statenislandzoo.org.