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Buttonwood Park Zoo is a great place to visit in the New Bedford Area. It’s a relatively small zoo with 250 animals. The Zoo is very clean, well laid out, and just the right size if you have young children that walking a lot compared to some of  the larger zoos in the area. They have a great bear exhibit and seal exhibit plus they have a lot of farm animals. You can also have your child’s birthday party here as well.

They also have a train that goes around the zoo and a new wildlife carousal. Both cost extra however the kids will love them.

The Zoo has animals that can be found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

We encourage you to visit us not only for a great experience, but also for a chance to see and learn more about local wildlife, endangered species and how you can help protect wild places!

Zoo Train 

TOUR THE ZOO ON OUR WATTMAN TRACKLESS ELECTRIC TRAIN. THE BLACK BEAR EXPRESS IS ADA CERTIFIED, MAKING IT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

Winter Hours: Please be aware that the rides will be closed until the spring, only reopening on select weekends and during February vacation.  Train rides are $2 (1 ticket) per person. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available for purchase in the North Woods Gift Store. Children under 12 months ride free.All proceeds from the Black Bear Express and Wildlife Carousel support educational programming and family events funded by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society. For more information call (508) 991-4556 x 114.

Wildlife Carousel
Take a spin on the Wildlife Carousel sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank! The carousel features 18 beautifully handcrafted animals and a chariot for additional seating. The Wildlife Carousel is ADA certified, making it wheelchair accessible for children and adults.

Winter Hours: Please be aware that the rides will be closed until the spring, only reopening on select weekends and during February vacation.  Carousel rides are $2 per ride (1 ticket). Children under 42″ tall must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available for purchase in the North Woods Gift Store.

All proceeds from the Black Bear Express and Wildlife Carousel support educational programming and family events funded by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society. For more information call (508) 991-4556 x 114.

Here is the local mom buzz on the Buttonwood Zoo

Amazing zoo! Perfect for the little ones who can’t walk a big place. It’s the perfect size! Love it here!

we really enjoyed Boo at the Zoo. lots of animals to see and candy! great spot for our daughter who is 2 and a half, and for us!

Awesome birthday parties the carousel the train ride and the animals the staff is awesome

great place to take the little ones for few hours to see the animals

Amazing and love it so much that we return yearly. Our 4 year old son has now been here 3 times already. We love it that much. Today the otters were playing hide and seek with him and the elephant put on a huge show for us. Black Bear was less than amused While be slept this afternoon in the sun.

A wonderful park and Zoo to visit with young kids.  A money saving tip is to get a pass for 4 from your local library which you can reserve online and must return the next day. Although I do not live in NB I grew up there but had not been to the Zoo in many years but wanted to revisit and thoroughly enjoyed. The Zoo layout is very clean and has a nice layout with some glass wall shaded areas to view some of the animals. I enjoyed seeing the Red Pandas,the black bears and the Rainforest areas where they have a touch tank ,tropical fish and tamarin monkeys.

We love this zoo. It has the oldest elephants in captivity. They have the right amount of animals to keep you entertained and not overwhelmed. The staff is always nice.

We went during the summer, there are areas with shade so it never felt overly hot. Enjoyed the elephant, big cats and enjoyed feeding the ducks.

They have really done a nice job with this zoo. Varied attractions, in natural settings. The rainforest, bear and seal exhibits were are favorites. Charlie’s Nature Play  in the farm animal area is a terrific new exhibit. We are looking forward to the opening of the red panda exhibit soon. Easy to walk, a train ride for the kids, a must visit no matter your age. We were so impressed we become members upon exiting the zoo.

Hours 

SUMMER HOURS ARE APRIL – OCTOBER

9:00am – 5:00pm, daily (with the last admission at 4:15pm)

WINTER HOURS ARE NOVEMBER – MARCH

9:00am – 4:00pm, daily (with the last admission at 3:15pm)

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Please note: We do not allow pets inside the Zoo.

TICKET PRICES:

New Bedford Resident Admission
(Must show proof of New Bedford Residency)

Adult: $7.50
Senior/Student: $6
Child (Ages 3-12): $4.50
Child Under Age 3: FREE
Non-Resident Admission

Adult: $10
Senior/Student: $8
Child (Ages 3-12): $6
Child Under Age 3: FREE
Purchase Tickets

special events

Boo at the Zoo