[rprprprp]

Hi, I want to take my two kids to the Beardsley Zoo. We live right near Port Jefferson so we would come across on the ferry. It is so much cheaper to walk on but I need to know if there are taxis usually at the ferry in Bridgeport. The kids are pretty young so i would prefer not to walk around especially not knowing where we are going. We would likely come over around 11 Am.

So if anyone knows: When we get off a late morning ferry are there usually taxis there?

Thanks

[Stylo]

Yes, you would not want to make that walk.

There are usually no taxis at the ferry, but someone at the ferry should be able to help you find one.

On the other hand, there are typically taxis at the train station.

[rprprprp]

Sounds like it might make more sense to just drive the long way around... $130 roundtrip or so is just too much.

Thanks for the info.

[andthentherewere3]

Personally, I think the Bronx Zoo is by far a better zoo. Beardsley Zoo is very small.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

Personally, I think the Bronx Zoo is by far a better zoo. Beardsley Zoo is very small.

Agreed.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

Personally, I think the Bronx Zoo is by far a better zoo. Beardsley Zoo is very small.

I second it. The main reason to go to Beardsley is if you live somewhat nearby and don't want to drive from there to the Bronx (I think the next nearest zoo is in either RI or Boston!)

[rprprprp]

We've been to all the NY Zoos (Bronx, Queens, Prospect Park and Central Park) so I was interested in a different one. We might just skip it.

Thanks everyone.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by rprprprp

Sounds like it might make more sense to just drive the long way around... $130 roundtrip or so is just too much.

Thanks for the info.

I'm not sure where you're getting that number for walk-on?

It's $25 roundtrip for adult, and kids under 12 are free.

Again, taxis are easy to get.

I agree that Beardsley is not as good as the Bronx Zoo, but for $25 roundtrip + taxi fare, it's not bad.

You could also hop on the train to see either the Peabody Natural History Museum in New Haven or the Maritime Center in South Norwalk.

[Golden1]

Skip it. Not worth the effort or price. It's a 3rd rate zoo that is fine if you live near by. The only good thing about some of the zoos in New England as opposed to the Bronx Zoo is that if you time it right it might not be crowded. I've gone to Beardsley once and it was when it opened and we had the place to ourselves. When we were leaving an hour later buses started coming in. I've gone to the Forest Park Zoo a few times ( in Western MA and not worth the trip for you) and been there when my kids and I are basically alone so it's a cool time and then I mistakenly went once on a Spring weekend and it was packed to the gills. That's when you notice how weak the zoo is as compared to the Bronx Zoo. When I have the place to myself I don't mind it being small or 3rd rate, but when it's crowded and you just paid 30 or 40 dollars for a quick 15 minute, stand on your toes to see a balding monkey over a crowd of 3 or 4 deep then it's not so good.

I know what you're going through. I drive all over the place for zoos and in the end the Bronx Zoo wins even though it's expensive. I drove all the way to the Providence RI Zoo because someone said it was good. It was small. That someone never went to the Bronx Zoo. However, the Beardsely Zoo has a tiger or did when I went a few years ago and any zoo that has a tiger or African Lion is okay. Most of the zoos I go to have a chubby black bear as it's main attraction. The other unique thing about the Beardsely Zoo is wild turkey and peacocks walk around the place and at times are right next to you.

Hope this helps. I know you want to do things with the kids but some things are hit and somethings are miss. I try alot of things and sometimes it works. We usually go to the Mystic Aquarium however I think it's over-priced and over-rated and plan to skip it this year and maybe the next. You just realize that you pay top dollar and within an hour the kids are done. And all these things and the Bronx Zoo as you know make you pay extra for anything special so it adds up fast.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Golden1

We usually go to the Mystic Aquarium however I think it's over-priced and over-rated and plan to skip it this year and maybe the next.

I went last year. It was nice, but small and we were done within an hour or 90 minutes. It does seem overpriced.

What's your favorite aquarium in the area? I was impressed by the New England Aquarium in Boston.