#LoveLocal: Time Out New York celebrates local shops, food and culture

It's a sweet time for vaccinated New Yorkers! This week, Krispy Kreme announced that it'd be giving away a free doughnut to anyone who shows their vaccination card at the counter. And now, Junior's Restaurant is stepping up with an offer you won't want to refuse. Between Monday, March 29, and Memorial Day, the Brooklyn company will offer up a free Mini Cheesecake when you show proof of a Moderna, Pfizer or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (just one shot will do). A Junior's Mini Cheesecake is just a smaller version of the original—it's made with fresh premium cream cheese, heavy cream, eggs and a touch of vanilla. It's baked atop a signature sponge cake bottom (and it's just 140 calories!). Just show your vaccine card at the brand’s landmark restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn at Flatbush Avenue EXT and DeKalb to get yours. Photograph: Courtesy Junior's Restaurant Not vaccinated yet and want to make your own Junior's Cheesecake? We have the recipe right here for you. Fill out our excellent (and extremely quick) Time Out Index survey right now, and have your voice heard. Most popular on Time Out - New York officially finally reached a deal to legalize recreational marijuana- Here’s when NYC’s floating bars and restaurants are opening for the season- The best things to do in NYC according to experts- Here’s what Manhattan’s newest waterfront park will look like when it opens this summer- This new start-up delivers experiential meal kits from awesome NYC restaurants Want to know what

New Yorkers have been hard at work this year to make sure their neighbors have enough to eat with community fridges, but sometimes need goes beyond food. Gowanus Mutual Aid hopes to address this with "The Sharing Corner," a free store on the corner of Douglass and Bond. Neighbors can drop off donations of clothing, books, personal hygiene items, non-perishable foods, toys, baby items and other things people might need, so long as they are new or in good condition. As the name suggests, these items are free to those who need them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gowanus Mutual Aid (@gowanusmutualaid) The Mutual Aid network takes requests and attempts to keep the store stocked with what people are looking for. When there's a surplus of something, the group works with other organizations to donate it. Like any store, it needs someone to tidy it up, so the group's members volunteer for five-minute stints to organize the "storefront," which is a constructed space that was recently renovated and painted bright pink, blue and yellow.  The hope is to keep the free store available for as long as possible so that Gowanus residents have what they need, according to the group. "Mutual Aid has a long history of neighbors coming together, sharing resources and support, to care for each other’s needs, outside unjust systems of power," the group told us. "Our vision for the Free Store was for it to be a space of communal care, respect and solidarity. A place that

A new local business on Atlantic Avenue is a great spot to find a meaty novel. Not to mention, a plate of actual meat. A Novel Kitchen—as the name implies—is a rather rare combination of a restaurant and a bookstore (they also sell records!) Coincidentally, the story behind the new Brooklyn Heights eatery is like something straight out of a book. Ali Ahmed, Ana Cabrera and Akram Nassir were owners of the nearby restaurants Brain Food BK and Yemen Café. They were looking to go into business together, and, after the former Beast and Bottles shuttered at 151 Atlantic Ave, they saw their chance. Around that same time, Ahmed’s parked car was dented and someone left a note. The note-leaver was none other than Dave Morse, owner of the Bushwick used bookstore Better Read Than Dead. After hitting it off, the chance encounter led to their new business venture. (Dave also brought in his friend Cory Feierman who owns Academy Records, hence the music portion of the three-in-one business.) “We want to revive books by giving them a second home and revive this restaurant,” the Novel Kitchen team tells Time Out New York. “I think we are all ready for revival after surviving this pandemic. And there's so much more in store. We have such a great relationship with the community being born and raised in this very neighborhood. We want to incorporate poetry slams and pop-up shops for our neighboring artists, and provide great comfort food to bring it all together.” Photograph: Courtesy A Novel Ki

One of the biggest dining trends over the last year has been the rise of meal kits. From at-home pasta-making kits to ready-to-bake cookie dough and create-your-own dumplings, restaurants across the city have discovered creative ways to bring in new revenue streams while expanding on current delivery offerings. (You can find 15 of our favorite meal kits in NYC here.) One new start-up that’s helping restaurants build on that model even more is WEAT. Co-founded by New Yorkers Melanie Brown and Laura Balcazar, WEAT partners with restaurants in the city to help them create “discovery boxes” that feature their signature dishes along with other fun add-ons to create fully immersive experiences. Think: chef-led video tutorials, staff-curated playlists, unique custom packaging and more. “We see independent restaurants as the center of New York City’s community, culture and creativity,” added Laura Balcazar, co-founder of WEAT. “We care about creating an experience for our customers that goes beyond just enjoying food, but also connecting with who is making your meal and where it is coming from.” Wanna try it out for yourself? WEAT delivers weekly so it’s a perfect weekend activity (not that you have to make the meals right away or anything). They deliver on Fridays between 3–7pm for orders made by 5pm on Tuesdays, and they’re currently delivering in a 10-mile radius from central Manhattan (Brooklyn and Queens.) You can check out all of the current offerings on their site which featur

This week marks one year since the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic. To mark what we’re calling the Pandemiversary, Time Out is looking back at the past year in cities around the world, and ahead to what the future may hold. It's been a long year without our favorite New York City haunts—music venues, bars, libraries, and clubs have been closed for what feels like an eternity and our jaunts around the city for fun are now few and far between. Our lives look a lot different than they did back then when we were allowed to gather and experience live shows, knock back a couple of drinks together and just be in NYC's classic spaces, from its transit terminals to its libraries. These are 13 iconic NYC rooms that we've missed over the past year. 1. The downstairs bar at Music Hall of Williamsburg View this post on Instagram A post shared by Music Hall Of Williamsburg (@musichallofwb) We never thought we'd miss a windowless basement bar as much as we do, but here we are. We miss thumping downstairs for a cold $5 beer with a throng of music-loving New Yorkers before we all funnel upstairs for an indie show. Nothing was better than the electric energy that buzzed around us on those nights. And we never worried about being too close to one another in front of the bar or in front of the stage. 2. NYPL's Rose Main Reading Room View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kelly Kopp (@newyorkcitykopp) Every time we entered this amazing room, it was with

When Loeb Boathouse, Central Park's picturesque lakeside restaurant, announced its closing in October, we lost an iconic piece of New York City's identity. The restaurant, which had made appearances in films like When Harry Met Sally and 27 Dresses, had blamed "unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19," and according to The City, the restaurant relied on "thousands" of customers to keep its doors open each year—and that just wasn't happening in 2020. The waterside locale had not reopened for outdoor or indoor dining since the pandemic began, so all 163 employees of the café who were furloughed were laid off.  On March 8 the Boathouse announced that it would reopen and on Monday, it finally opened its doors. RECOMMENDED: 30 iconic NYC institutions that have now permanently closed View this post on Instagram A post shared by CentralParkBoathouse (@centralparkboathouse) Loeb Boathouse will be open for lunch Mondays to Fridays, from noon to 4pm, and for brunch on the weekends, from 9:30am-4pm. Reservations can be made at its website, thecentralparkboathouse.com. The gondolas you rent to go out on the lake will likely be available in May. We love some great reopening news. Just last month, Pearl River Mart announced that it would not be closing permanently but that it will be moving to a new location in Soho. With every NYC mainstay that reopens, it feels like we're getting a piece of our beloved city back. Fill out our excellent (and extremely qui

It's been a long, hard year without NYC's incredible art and entertainment venues. Many of them—Peoples Improv Theater, Copacabana, 21 Club—have had to close their doors and others are on the brink of shutting down. And as we reach a year under this pandemic, with New York City's average weekly positivity rate at 7.44%, Governor Andrew Cuomo has decided that it's now time to reopen event, arts and entertainment venues. RECOMMENDED: These NYC movie theaters are opening on Friday—here's what you can expect On Wednesday, the governor announced that these venues can reopen starting April 2 at 33% capacity—up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If a venue wants to bump up the capacity to 150 inside and to 500 outside, all attendees must test negative before they enter. And of course, everyone has to wear a mask and social distance.  Before then, starting March 22, social gatherings of up to 100 people can happen inside and outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people will be allowed. Residential gatherings (like at your home) can happen for groups of up to 25 people outdoors, but indoor gatherings must remain capped at 10 people. "New Yorkers have done a tremendous job working to defeat COVID, and we're gradually loosening restrictions as the numbers reduce and the public health improves," Cuomo said. "It's clear that if we remain vigilant, we will reach the light at the end of the tunnel. While we continue to expand access to the vaccine throughout the state, New Yorke

As the weather warms up and our many winter snow storms fade into the past (we hope), you’re probably looking to plan a lot more nights of outdoor dining in your future. If so, there are a slew of new options that you’ll definitely want to check out. A new outdoor dining program called The Outdoor Villages is bringing cool and innovative outdoor dining set-ups to over 30 amazing NYC restaurants. Here’s one example that was just installed at Nom Wah Tea Parlor yesterday: View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Factory NYC (@the_factory_nyc) The full list of restaurants where you can find the outdoor villages can be found below (including Balthazar which we covered earlier this week.) The program is meant to give AmEx and Resy users access to reserving spots at in-demand spots around town while also giving some local restaurants a little extra help to make it to the end of the winter. You can find out more information about making reservations at the outdoor spots featured in the program on Resy’s site. If you have a Platinum card from American Express you’ll also get exclusive primetime table access! Here’s the full list of participating restaurants:  The Outdoor Villages, Presented by American Express and Resy, Restaurant Lineup:       Adda       Altro Paradiso       Anton’s       ATLA       Atoboy       Balthazar (reservations going live later in March)       Charlie Bird       Cote*       Da Toscano       Dante       Diner       Don A

It has been almost a year since New Yorkers grabbed some popcorn and sat down inside a movie theater to catch the latest film. On Friday, for the first time since the pandemic hit last March, movie theaters will be allowed to reopen—and quite a few NYC spots are prepared to welcome guests. NYC is the last region of New York State to reopen movie theaters—Cuomo allowed theaters across the state except for in the city to reopen in October 2020—and as expected, there are a lot of rules they must adhere to in order to reopen. The Village East welcomes you back! #eastvillage pic.twitter.com/5OtKy7ZwsB — Jeremiah Moss 🌹 (@jeremoss) March 2, 2021 Masks and social distancing will be required as well as assigned seats and only 25% capacity or about 50 people per screen will be allowed in a theater at one time. Many theaters are suspending concessions for now, too. Here are the cinemas opening on Friday and the movies they'll be screening this weekend. Click each to see specific health and safety protocols they're doing: IFC Center (no concessions)My Salinger Year, La Llorona, The Vigil, Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Mank and The Trial of The Chicago 7. It'll have another five in the “What’d We Miss?” series, and 12 comedies screening as part of a 20th-anniversary tribute to IFC Films. Nitehawk Cinema (personal pens and order cards)Prospect Park:Judas and The Black Messiah, Chaos Walking, Nomadland, Night of The Kings, One Night in Miami, Billie Eilish: The World's a Littl

With movie theaters finally set to reopen in New York on Friday, one lesser-known gem has received a high honor: It’s been named one of the top three most gorgeous movie houses in Time Out’s new global roundup of the 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world. Appropriately announced in the thick of awards season, the global feature covers everything from glitzy multiplexes to beloved indie operations. The entire list is worth a read—not only to see how many you’ve visited, but also for the thrill or remembering what it was like to go out to the movies at all (as fond as we’ve grown of our couch over the last year.) RECOMMENDED: The 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world While a handful of other NYC cinemas made the list including the elegant Metrograph, the mammoth Paris Theater and the strikingly modern Museum of the Moving Image, the standout hometown entry on the list is Village East Cinema, which managed to snag a spot in the top three entries.  The unassuming East Village movie house, which was originally constructed in the 1920s, has fairly run-of-the-mill screening rooms in four of their five theaters. Theater #1, however, is a remnant of when the theater was a star of what was once NYC’s Yiddish Theatre District. The Moorish Revival space seats over 400 people in a truly ornate setting, certain to elevate any movie-going experience. (Though, again, pretty much everything would seem elevated compared to our couch right now.) Like many other movie theaters in the city, the

Brownstone Brooklyn's newest attraction is a win-win for kids and parents.  While you're sipping a hot chocolate (perhaps with a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream), your kiddos can whip around Court Street Tavern's debut ice skating rink. The newly opened Carroll Gardens restaurant has taken outdoor accommodations and upped the ante; while most eateries have opted for heated tents, this South Brooklyn spot has created its own destination for winter fun.  Meet the Court Street Ice Rink. Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Courtesy Emily Bartlett Perfect for ages 13 and under, the super-cute "glice" rink from Matt Shendell of Paige Concepts is open daily from 12:15–7:15pm for $25 per child (including skate rentals). Parents can make reservations on Resy for 45-minute sessions and walk-ins are welcome. For an additional $10, moms and dads can rent a skate aid seal—an adorable buddy looking to help your little skaters keep their balance. Note that lockers are not available, so be prepared to hang onto those winter boots.  Plus, there's more good news. TVs are stationed right above the rink, so you can have your eyes on the game, your lil' winter Olympian and that tasty Hot Toddy. We told you this would be a win-win for everyone! Court Street Tavern is located at 449 Court St in Carroll Gardens.  Most popular on Time Out - Awesome things NYC families can’t miss in 2021- New kids’ movies coming out in 2021 that you can’t miss

Are your little ones missing their favorite reading circle? Don’t worry, Mom and Dad: We have the perfect solution! Time Out is partnering with the New York Public Library to present digital storytimes for pint-sized bookworms. Beginning August 10, families can tune in Monday through Thursday at 10am—right here—for a remote read-aloud. Curious about the lineup? The Time Out New York Kids newsletter will reveal forthcoming story time schedules on Fridays, so sign up today! Monday, January 4 Susan Burkhardt from Van Cortlandt Library in The Bronx The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth and I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon Tuesday, January 5 Dana Keddy from Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island I Went Walking by Sue Williams and Boo! by Ben Newman Wednesday, January 6 Ruth Guerrier-Pierre from Kips Bay Library in Manhattan Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson Thursday, January 7 Nanette Rivera from Mulberry Street Library in Manhattan Perfect Square by Michael Hall Friday, January 8 Katie Loucks from Mosholu Library in The Bronx Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and Rock-a-bye Baby by Jane Cabrera

Update: The completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in spring 2021 as opposed to February 2021. An exact date has not been revealed. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we know more.  Looks like we're going to have to be patient.  The Museum of Natural History's completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in 2021 as opposed to this fall. But judging from the details, we have a feeling it'll be well worth the wait. On Feb 17, 2021, the family attraction will welcome visitors to the 11,000 square-foot space that house roughly 5,000 pieces from 95 countries. Guests can catch a glimpse of a 3,000-pound block of iridescent green and blue labradorite, the Singing Stone from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the new "Beautiful Creatures" exhibit, which will celebrate historic and contemporary jewelry inspired by animals. Patrons will be able to find it in halls’ first temporary exhibition space. Plus, as an added bonus for the little learners in your crew, the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will be the perfect spot for children with an interest in earth science, as it promises to be an invaluable resource for schools and camps.  Courtesy AMNH “Generations of New Yorkers have loved the Museum’s mineral and gem halls, storing up memories of family visits and marveling at the glamorous displays of utterly spectacular minerals and gems,” Ellen V. Futter, Pre

A library card goes a long way in New York City.  Today, the New York Public Library, Queens Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library announced that Culture Pass will resume for 25 attractions—with limited capacity—on Nov 1. This program provides New Yorkers with library cards free access to their favorite family attractions.  The 25 institutions participating:  Alice Austen House Museum American Museum of Natural History Asia Society Museum Brooklyn Museum The Drawing Center Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Fraunces Tavern Museum International Studio & Curatorial Program The Jewish Museum King Manor Museum Kingsland Homestead The Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) MoMA PS1 Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum of Arts and Design Museum of the City of New York National Lighthouse Museum New Museum New York Botanical Garden The Noble Maritime Collection The Noguchi Museum Poster House The Rubin Museum of Art SculptureCenter How to snag a freebie:  Beginning Nov 1, in-person passes can be reserved up to one month in advance on culturepass.nyc. (Learn more about Culture Pass rules.)  More good news:  Additionally, Culture Pass is rebroadcasting virtual arts and cultural programs for all ages from NYC's favorite institutions through Nov 21.  Besides mapping out your Culture Pass plans, be sure to check out the best new and upcoming exhibits at our go-to kids' museums, sit in for virtual storytimes from the New York Public Library every Monday through Friday and see what el

November 3 is quickly approaching, and the New York Public Library is in a political state of mind.  In honor of the upcoming election, the NYC institution has released a 2020 Election Reading List for three age groups: children, teens and adults. The selections focus on voter issues such as climate change, foreign policy and healthcare, among many others.  If your little bookworms are curious about this historical moment in our nation's history, have a look at some of the inspiring kids' books below that have landed on the ballots!   2020 Election Reading List for Kids Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff  Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Doreen Rappaport Courtesy: NYPL 2020 Election Reading List for Teens Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada Displacement by Kiku Hughes Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life & Work by Victoria Ortiz Election Manipulation: Is America's Voting System Secure? by John Allen It's Getting Hot in Here by Bridget Heos Courtesy: NYPL For the full list for each age group, visit nypl.org/election2020. While you're at it, be sure to check out Time Out's daily virtual storytimes with the NYPL and get homework assistance with the NYPL's free virtual tutoring—a game-changer for parents.   Most popular on Time Out - NYC schools closed: a running list of building shutdowns

Milk & Cream is at it again!  After the success of the limited-edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle treats (ice cream pizza!), the Instagrammable dessert spot is continuing the fun with a second installment of the Nickelodeon flavor takeover (#NICKFLAVORTAKEOVER). This time, the focus is on Blue's Clues.   Show one of your favorite TV shows for kids some love by stopping in for a snack. Now through Oct 25, the shop will offer Blue's Snack Time Treat, an ice cream sammie with cookie dough, chocolate chips and dark chocolate-covered pretzels and Josh's Ultimate Ube Surprise, a purple yam ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate wafers and dusted off with chocolate crunchies.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   Of course, the ice cream hotspot will be decked out in all-things Blue's Clues, so make sure there is room in your camera roll. (We did tell you this was an Instagrammable dessert spot, after all.) Plus, temporary tattoos will be given out with your Blue's Clues purchase.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   If all of these dreamy desserts have given you a hankering for the Nickelodeon of yesteryear, check out where you can stream the coolest old-school cartoons (Doug, Hey Arnold, Ren and Stimpy, etc.).  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year- The

Sleeping is overrated when there is a good book to finish.    Now that the New York Public Library has released its list of "125 Books We Love for Teens," a good night's rest will likely be few and far between. This brand-new collection of YA goodness joins the ranks of the Library's 125 favorite books for adults and children, both of which are in celebration of the attraction's milestone anniversary.  Now readers 12-18 (and the young at heart, of course) can enjoy tales of identity, self-discovery and love. (It's not all about unrequited crushes and the cool clique in homeroom, though there's plenty of that.) Curious what books made the list? Have a look at some of our favorite selections:  Go Ask Alice Anonymous The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier The Giver by Lois Lowry The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes You can take a gander at the full list on the NYPL website and download your favorite selections (aka everything) on the SimplyE app.  Have younger readers in your crew? Check out daily storytimes from Time Out New York Kids and the New York Public Library, where you can sit in on a digital read-aloud of your favorite kids' books.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School

Museums in New York City were given the green light to reopen at limited capacity on Aug 23. Although family attractions such as The Museum of Natural History and The Met started welcoming back visitors, most of our favorite children's museums only remain active online. However, the Children's Museum of the Arts just announced its plans in a Sept 18 newsletter.  "After evaluating options to reopen safely, we have made the difficult decision to stay closed for the remainder of the year," the note read. "Though our doors remain shut, we are more dedicated than ever to pursuing our mission of providing transformational and accessible arts opportunities through online content and programs." There are still plenty of ways to enjoy the best of the attraction: Art pods, parent workshops and virtual kids' classes are some of the offerings that'll keep the creative juices flowing this fall. No matter your little artist's interest, CMANY has the perfect fit, from its graphic novel club to animation and character design, among other cool after-school programs. Check them out! You can stay up-to-date on kids' museum reopening plans at Time Out New York Kids.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year- The best apple picking NY kids and families love Get us in your inbox! Sign

Summer vacation is practically in the rearview mirror, so now is the time for kids to soak up that last bit of freedom.  Plus, there are a few end-of-season perks to enjoy. Some of NYC's best family attractions are offering free and discounted admission for students before the first day of school on Sept 21. Count us in! “Arts and culture are a critical part of New York City’s social fabric, and we thank these organizations for providing our kids with safe, educational activities before schools open next week,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his Sept 14 press briefing.  Making day trip plans? Here are the participating institutions, according to the city's website:  American Museum of Natural History: The museum welcomes NYC schoolchildren and their caregivers back, with a hall to visit for every grade and every age. Tickets are pay what you wish for NYC residents. Reserve on their website: https://ticketing.amnh.org/#tickets. Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met is welcoming students and caregivers back to both their main building on Fifth Avenue, and to The Cloisters. For NYC residents, admission is pay what you wish. Closed to the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reserve a timed ticket on their website: https://engage.metmuseum.org/reservation. Morgan Library and Museum: The Morgan Library & Museum is providing free tickets to school-aged kids aged 18 and younger and their caregivers on September 16, 17 and 18. Advance reservation required. Families can email tickets@th

Update: You can snag 50 percent off a child's ticket (with the purchase of one adult ticket) when children where their costumes to Boo at the Zoo. Use "COSTUME" at checkout to claim the offer.  In a spooky state of mind? You're not alone.  Tickets have just gone on sale for the Bronx Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo festival, and this year's celebration is chillingly wicked—in a good way!  Thursday through Sunday from Oct 1 to Nov 1 is your chance to revel in the Halloween fun, from magic shows and pumpkin carving demonstrations to mind reading and trips through the spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a "MASKerade" while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court.    Photograph: Courtesy Julie Larsen Maher   Like other family attractions, the Bronx Zoo had to make some adjustments to this year's festivities, but that certainly doesn't mean Halloween is canceled—far from it. All guests 3 and up are required to wear a mask and social distance when on the grounds. Additionally, advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted. A full list of health and safety guidelines is available on the zoo's website.  You can snag tickets online ($39.95 adults, $29.95 children ages 3–12) and map out your other fall activities. We suggest apple picking, checking out Six Flags' new HALLOWFEST and, of course, marveling at the pumpkin artistry on dis