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Dedicated to New York's wild animals and wild places - black bears, wolverines and more in Watertown along the Olympic Trail and Black River Trail Scenic Byways
New York State Zoo at Thompson Park
Olympic Byway, State Rt. 3, near Watertown in Jefferson County
Discover the only Zoo in the world dedicated to New York's wild animals and wild places.
The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park is the place to be when visitors get to be nose to nose with black bears, watch the playful antics of rare wolverines, climb a real Adirondack Fire Tower. The Thompson Park Zoo was established in 1920 with the gift of two whitetail deer to Thompson Park and the City of Watertown to create a naturalistic exhibit that would offer all visitors an opportunity to enjoy the grace and beauty of these indigenous animals. Our Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the Thousand Islands Region, attracts nearly 50,000 visitors per year, is supported by over 1,000 member households and reaches nearly 35,000 people through education programs.
Go East on Arsenal Street through Public Square in downtown Watertown. Continue east until Arsenal Street becomes State Street, Route 3. Go approximately ten city blocks to Park Drive, the Thompson Park Entrance, and watch for Zoo signs within the park. Phone 315-782-6180.
| Closest Community: | |
| Closest Byway: | Olympic Byway |
| Distance from Byway: | near |
| Closest Route #: | State Rt. 3 |
| Indoors or Outdoors: | both |
| Admission Fee: | no |
| Latitude: | 43.9620334694 |
| Longitude: | -75.8833470275 |
| URL: | New York State Zoo at Thompson Park website |