The opportunity to witness exotic animals up close in a zoo is fantastic. In fact, when people think of these institutions as places to see animals from all over the world, they can think of childhood excursions. Although they have a murky past, when done properly, they offer fantastic opportunities for guests to bond with animals and develop empathy for them. And a significant change in how they see their purpose is that they give endangered animals a place to live, hopefully flourishing and having offspring. More attention is now paid to creating habitats that are cozy, and spacious, and include spaces in which animals may retreat if they don’t want to be watched. Here are the 21 best zoos in the US in 2024.
Best Zoos in the US
1. San Diego Zoo (San Diego, CA)
This renowned national zoo is home to around 12,000 animals from more than 650 different species and subspecies. Red pandas, African elephants, and bonobo apes are a few of them. This is one of the best zoos in the US because of thrilling activities like the “Inside Look” program, which offers a look at zoo life behind the scenes, and riding the Skyfari aerial tram to receive an up-close view of all the zoo’s habitats.
2. Oakland Zoo: Oakland, CA
The Oakland Zoo is located about 20 miles east of San Francisco’s central business district and is renowned nationwide as a pioneer in animal welfare, rescue, and conservation. Over 850 domestic and foreign species can be found at the Oakland Zoo. In sizable natural settings, visitors can view grizzly bears, American alligators, and African lions. Travel to Wild Australia on the Express Train to see emus, wallabies, and wallaroos in their natural habitat.
3. Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE)
This western treasure is known for having the largest glazed geodesic dome in the entire globe. Inside, you’ll find exact replicas of the Sonoran Desert in the southwest, the Namib Desert in southern Africa, and the Red Center Desert in Australia. The 84,000 square feet of the dome are home to bobcats, rattlesnakes, desert flora, sand dunes, and several kinds of reptiles. Along with all of this, the zoo also researches reproductive physiology and molecular genetics.
4. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (Washington, D.C.)
The enormous pandas that China sent to the U.S. in 1972 are the zoo’s most famous exhibit. The spectacular inside and outside giant panda colonies for Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and cub Xiao Qi Ji, as well as the free admission, are appreciated by visitors. The zoo’s dedicated staff and the furry celebs are part of an in-depth study and preservation program to look after and replicate this endangered species.
5. Denver Zoo (Denver, CO)
Among Denver’s attractions, the Zoo at the Mile High City stands out because it offers a jam-packed daily calendar of enjoyable, engaging activities including meetings with the zoo’s llamas Jorge and Fernando and a variety of cultural performances. Children will want to take part in the zoo’s “Bunk with the Beasts” overnight experience, which includes up-close encounters with the creatures in addition to a number of delicacies.
6. Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth, TX)
Only a few zoos in the United States feature a pair of rhinos and bonobos as permanent residents. The Museum of Living Art, which is packed with amphibians and reptiles, is also housed there. Tourists gush about how clean and attractive the enclosures are and suggest taking the Yellow Rose Express train. In addition to housing the most productive breeding colony of lesser flamingos in worldwide, the zoo is a pioneer in conserving Asian elephants.
7. Dallas Zoological Park (Marsalis Park, TX)
With just two deer and two mountain lions at its inception, it has grown to sheltering over 2,000 animals from 406 species. The Giants of the Savanna, the Penguin Cove, the Gorilla Research Center, the Koala Walkabout, and the Chimpanzee Forest are among the major exhibits. Additionally, visitors can see Sumatran tigers and Malayan tigers in the Protected Tiger Habitat, a two-acre area created to resemble a regrowing logged forest.
8. Bronx Zoo (New York City, NY)
This is one of the biggest urban zoos in the world, covering 265 acres. One of its most popular attractions is the Congo Gorilla Forest, home to western lowland gorillas, mandrills, and okapis. It is famed for its painstakingly recreated habitats with more than 6,000 animals. It’s kept exciting by a range of unusual experiences, such as Treetop Adventure, which lets visitors zipline through the treetops.
9. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati, OH)
The zoo’s original location in the center of the city was less than 66 acres, but it has since grown to more than 75. With 1,896 animals from 500 different species living there, it’s one of the earliest zoos in the nation. Its breeding effort succeeds and it was the first to raise California sea lions. Other endangered species that are bred there include Masai giraffes, Sumatran rhinoceros, Malayan tigers, western lowland gorillas, and South African cheetahs.
10. Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)
The most varied collection of tropical species in the nation may be found at Brookfield Zoo. The insulated, year-round Tropical World exhibit at the zoo is a delight, home to a wide variety of exotic creatures, with its primates taking center stage. The group comprises gibbons, orangutans, and colobus monkeys from Africa, as well as spider monkeys, tamarins, and orangutans from South America, Asia, and Africa, respectively.
11. Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, FL)
The Brevard Zoo offers entertaining and informative activities in a reasonable environment. Families may explore the outdoor exhibits to observe alligators, giraffes, and zebras. You can join a guided kayak tour for a one-of-a-kind zoo experience and witness the rhinos and lemurs of Expedition Africa from the water, or take the train to see camels, antelope, and African cattle.
12. Oakland Zoo (Oakland, CA)
More than 850 native and exotic animals may be found at the zoo, which is renowned for being a leader in animal care and for having the biggest wildlife veterinary facility in the region, a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital. Children can also learn more about ring-tailed lemurs, pot-bellied pigs, and a ton of different bugs in the Bug Room through fun displays and play spaces at the zoo. This makes it one of the best zoos in the US.
13. Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley, MN)
As one of the biggest zoos in the country, visitors may witness approximately 500 distinct species there, including native fauna like beavers, river otters, and wolverines as well as exotic animals like sea otters, brown bears, Komodo dragons, and Amur tigers. The facility’s major objective is wildlife conservation, and the zoo’s specialists are in charge of initiatives to save endangered species of prairie butterflies and rebuild the state’s bison herd.
14. Houston Zoo (Houston, TX)
With more than 200 species spread across three displays, the zoo has one of the greatest collections of birds in the nation. Since every ticket purchased supports more than 40 wildlife conservation initiatives across the world, true animal fans can even spend the night there. Additionally, the zoo is home to more than 6,000 creatures from over 900 different species that are free to wander various environments.
15. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (Omaha, NE)
You can wander over 160 acres filled with exotic plant life and ecosystems for animals at the zoo. Hubbard Gorilla Valley offers protected viewing areas where you may witness gorillas in their natural habitat, sea lions and harbor seals in a cutting-edge ecosystem with a 40-foot submerged viewing glass, and elephants and rhinos in a grassland environment.
16. San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco, CA)
More than 1,000 wild creatures representing more than 250 species call this 100-acre area home. It is famous for being Koko the gorilla’s birthplace. There are several noteworthy exhibits, including the African Savannah with reticulated giraffes, the Primate Discovery Center with black howler monkeys, chimpanzees, macaques, mandrills, and more, as well as the Cat Kingdom with Indian rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, African lions, snow leopards, Sumatran tigers, and anacondas.
17. Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle, WA)
The natural environments of the animals are meticulously recreated in this zoological garden. Visit the “African savannah,” where you can see lions, giraffes, and zebras, as well as the “Northwest Trail,” where you can see brown bears, gray wolves, snowy owls, red pandas, and Kunekune pigs. Try their handmade beer and cider tastings, as well as their inside tours, for more unusual adventures. All earnings support the zoo’s preservation efforts.
18. Audubon Zoo (New Orleans, LA)
Travelers praise the zoo for being a fantastic family visit because it displays a variety of species in unusual natural settings. In the Jaguar Jungle, which recreates a Mayan rainforest and includes an exhibit with an archaeologist theme, visitors can see spider monkeys, macaws, ocelots, and, of course, jaguars. With a slide, bathing pools, and bronze lion statues, Monkey Hill’s five-story treehouse, which is New Orleans’ highest building, is a terrific spot to work off some energy.
19. Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL)
This is the fourth-oldest zoo in North America. With a 35-acre footprint, there are numerous animals to see and admission is free. The zoo is also a recognized member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and it has one of the most extensive science and conservation programs centered on zoos in the US, along with ongoing behavioural monitoring and global endeavors.
20. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (Palm Desert, CA)
This Zoo has been a popular destination close to Palm Springs for about 50 years and honors the flora and animals found in the arid terrain. Twelve African species live there, together with wallabies, in the Rhino Savanna, along with two black rhinos. You can choose a personalized tour to get the most out of your trip and get more knowledge from the experienced guides.
21. Memphis Zoo (Memphis, TN)
More than 3,500 creatures from over 500 distinct species can be found living at the Memphis Zoo. The facility is separated into three zones, each housing one of the 19 main exhibits, such as Once Upon A Farm, Primate Canyon, Cat Country, Dragon’s Lair, Tropical Bird House, Animals of the Night, Herpetarium, African Veldt, and the Zambezi River Hippo Camp. While there is a tram that offers guided trips and allows riders to board and exit at their convenience, there is a lot to soak in on foot.
Conclusion
That concludes our list of the 21 best zoos in the US in 2023. In addition to providing a greater understanding of these animals, these facilities provide an opportunity to connect with wildlife. If you are an animal lover, you will love visiting these sites.
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