Thompson Park in Watertown at a glance
Thompson Park is the city's main park. It has viewpoints, walking paths, a playground, tennis courts, picnic areas and a pool and splash pad. The zoo is inside the park. If you only have a few hours in Watertown, this is a good use of them, and it pairs well with the downtown walk on the things to do page.
The park belongs to the city of Watertown. Weekday office hours, Monday to Friday, are those of the park office and are not the opening hours of every part of the park. The zoo has its own hours, listed below. If you are also planning the river, the Thousand Islands boat tours page explains which tours run and when.
Tours and day trips from Watertown
Boat tours, castle visits and day trips to the Thousand Islands, with live prices and availability.
What the park offers
Mostly free-to-use park space, with the zoo as the ticketed part.
Views
The park has viewpoints with a wide outlook. A picnic table on an open meadow is a typical stop for a lunch with a view.
Walking paths
Paths run through the park and suit a relaxed walk. Wear shoes that handle wet grass in spring and fall.
Playground and tennis
The park has a playground and tennis courts, a simple stop for children and for players.
Picnic areas
Picnic areas are spread through the park. Bring food and a bag for your trash.
Pool and splash pad
The park has a pool and a splash pad. Their season and hours are not part of the zoo schedule, so check before you go.
The zoo
The zoo is inside the park and charges admission. The next section shows prices and hours.
Zoo details →Zoo New York: admission and hours
Prices and hours for 2026. Check the schedule before you go.
| Visitor | Admission 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adults, ages 13 to 65 | $12 |
| Children, ages 3 to 12 | $9 |
| Ages 2 and under | Free |
| Seniors | 10% off |
| Military | 20% off |
Discounted tickets are sold only at the entrance ticket window. The posted hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. There is no separate winter calendar, so check the hours before a November or winter visit.
For most families, the zoo plus a picnic and a park walk fills a full afternoon.
New York State Zoo at Thompson Park
If you searched for the "New York State Zoo", you want the same place. The city and the operator now use the name Zoo New York. The older name, New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, is still used in some searches, and it does not refer to a different zoo.
The zoo is in Watertown, not on the river. It is a separate trip from the Thousand Islands, so plan it as a town day rather than a boat day.
History and winter
Who designed the park, and what to expect in the cold.
The city credits the park design to Frederic Law Olmsted Jr. and John C. Olmsted. It is not credited to Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.
Watertown has cold, snowy winters. Snow can lie on paths and lawns, and paths may be icy. At Watertown airport, the average daily high in January is about 30°F (-1°C) and the average low about 10°F (-12°C), based on 1991 to 2020 averages. Lake-effect snow bands from Lake Ontario can bring local snow in narrow strips, and amounts can differ a lot between places. See the weather page for monthly averages. In winter, plan on shorter daylight, warm boots and a call ahead for zoo hours.
More places to visit nearby
Pair the park with something else in town or on the river.
Thompson Park: frequently asked questions
Is Thompson Park free?
The park itself has paths, picnic areas and viewpoints that you can use without a ticket. The zoo inside the park charges admission: $12 for ages 13 to 65 and $9 for ages 3 to 12 in 2026.
What are the zoo hours?
The posted hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. Check the schedule before a visit in November or winter.
Is Zoo New York the same as the New York State Zoo?
Yes. Zoo New York is the current name used by the city and the operator. The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park is the older name for the same zoo.
Are there discounts?
Seniors get 10% off and military visitors 20% off. Discounted tickets are sold only at the entrance ticket window.
Who designed Thompson Park?
The city credits Frederic Law Olmsted Jr. and John C. Olmsted. It is not credited to Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.
Is this the official Thompson Park site?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not run by the City of Watertown or the zoo.