Tiger Mountain at Bronx Zoo

Tiger Mountain is one of the most visited exhibits at Bronx Zoo and consistently delivers the visceral wildlife encounter that parents are hoping for when they buy a family zoo ticket. It houses Amur tigers — the largest tiger subspecies, critically endangered in the wild — in a 2.5-acre habitat that includes naturalistic terrain, a large pool, rocky ledges, and climbing structures.

The exhibit's design philosophy is what makes it stand out. The tigers have room to move, and they use it. On a good morning visit, you might see a tiger pacing the perimeter, swimming laps in the pool, or scaling a rocky outcrop — behaviors that look powerful and purposeful rather than just anxious.

The underwater viewing window is a particular highlight: when a tiger swims and passes within inches of the glass, it's the kind of visual that lands differently than any screen-based nature documentary.

For families with children, Tiger Mountain checks a specific box: seeing a tiger up close, in a setting that doesn't feel like a punishment for the animal. Kids ages 6-14 in particular are often struck into momentary silence at the viewing windows, which is a remarkable achievement.

The exhibit is included in Bronx Zoo general admission — no extra fee. Visit in the morning for the best chance of seeing active tigers. By midday in summer, they often retreat to shade, and afternoon visits can feel like searching for a sleeping orange stripe behind a rock.

Keeper talks occasionally happen at Tiger Mountain on weekends — check the Bronx Zoo app or ask at the main gate for the day's schedule. These talks give children direct information about tiger conservation, what the tigers eat, and how the keeper relationship works.