1.
San Diego Zoo - San Diego, CA
The world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego,
California is one of the largest, most progressive zoos in the
world with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. Exhibits
are often designed around a particular habitat. The same exhibit
features many different animals that can be found side-by-side
in the wild, along with their native horticulture. Exhibits
range from an African rain forest to the Arctic taiga and tundra
in the summertime. Some of the largest free-flight aviaries in
existence are here. Many exhibits are "natural" with invisible
wires and darkened blinds to view birds, and pools and open-air
moats for large mammals.
2.
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Orlando, FL
Animal Kingdom's 500 acres are home to some 1700 animals
representing 250 different species throughout the park. A ride
on the Kilimanjaro Safari will give you a chance to see many of
them as they take you through the African Savannah. Animals
and nature are the stars at this park, and its icon is the
14-story Tree of Life carved with images of over 300 different
animals. Grown-ups tend to stare at the engineered tree in awe
of the work that went into it. Kids automatically try to
scramble up to one of the animals or climb around the thick
roots at the tree's base.
3.
San Diego Safari Park
- San Diego, CA
The San Diego Safari Park (previously known as the Wild Animal Park) is one of the largest tourist
attractions in Southern California. The Park houses a fabulous
array of wild and endangered animals including species from the
continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and
Australia. The park is in a semi-arid environment, based around
Nairobi village in Kenya, and one of its most notable features
is the large Wgasa Railway which explores 700 acres worth of
free range exhibits. These free-range enclosures house such
animals as cheetahs, antelopes, lions, giraffes, okapis,
elephants, zebras, Przewalski's horses, rhinos, and bonobos. The
park is also noted for its California condor breeding program,
possibly the most successful program in the country, as well as
an amazing collection of rare hornbills.
4. Maryland
Zoo - Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore Zoo was created by act of the Maryland state
legislature on April 7, 1876. Its name was changed to The
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore in 2004. It is the third oldest zoo in
the country, behind Philadelphia (1873) and Cincinnati (1874).
It actually had its beginnings as early as 1862, when the first
of many citizens gave animals to Druid Hill Park for public
display. Today the 160-plus acre zoo property is owned by the
City of Baltimore and leased to the State of Maryland. The
Maryland Zoological Society, established in 1967, operates the
Zoo under a lease agreement with the state. The Zoological
Society assumed full management of the Zoo in 1984. Currently
the Zoo’s animal collection encompasses more than 1,500 birds,
mammals, amphibians and reptiles, representing nearly 200
species. Animals are displayed in natural settings replicating
their native habitats.
5.
Bronx Zoo - New York, NY
The Bronx Zoo is the flagship of the largest network of
metropolitan zoos in the country. With award-winning,
cutting-edge exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals, there is no
other zoo in the world that offers the diversity, superb
viewing, and world-renowned expertise that assures a rewarding
experience and the knowledge that visitors can make a difference
in the world around them. Whether you're nose-to-nose with
Western lowland gorillas in our famous Congo Gorilla Forest ,
spotting snow leopards in our naturalistic Himalayan Highlands
Habitat, or experiencing almost an acre of an indoor Asian rain
forest, you're always within roaring distance of the world's
most amazing wildlife.
6.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Ohio
The Columbus Zoo is home to over 5,000 animals representing over
700 species and sees over 1.8 million visitors annually. The
animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the
zoo currently operating eight such regions. In addition the zoo
owns an 18-hole golf course, known as Safari Golf Club, Zoombezi
Bay, and Jungle Jack's Landing. Both are located just south of
the zoo. In total, the zoo owns 580 acres of land, with just
under half dedicated to the zoo itself.
7.
San Antonio Zoo
- The 56-acre zoo has a collection of over 3,500 animals
representing 750 species. The San Antonio Zoo opened two of the
first cageless exhibits in America in November 1929 that offered
visitors views of the animals not available in caged
exhibits.The zoo's bird collection is now one of the world's
largest.
8.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska - This zoo has the
Lied Jungle which opened on April 4, 1992 at a cost of $15
million. It is the largest indoor rainforest in the world; it
occupies an 80 foot tall building that spans 1.5 acres
9. Phoenix
Zoo -
The Phoenix Zoo garnered worldwide attention for
one of its animals, an Asian Elephant named Ruby. Ruby came to
the zoo in 1973, just months after being born in Thailand. After
noticing Ruby doodling in the sand with sticks, her keeper
decided to give her a brush and paint. Ruby quickly became
famous for her paintings, whose sales raised over US$200,000 for
the zoo. Art collectors all over the world joined 18-month
waiting lists and paid hundreds of dollars for original prints.
10.
St. Louis Zoo - It is recognized as a leading zoo in
animal management, research, conservation, and education.
Admission is free, although there are fees for some attractions.
One special feature is the Zooline Railroad, a small passenger
train that encircles the zoo, stopping at the more popular
attractions.
Honorable Mention
Audubon Zoo
- New Orleans LA
One of the country’s top-ranked zoos, Audubon Zoo offers an
exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging natural
habitats, lush gardens and resting spots, the mystical Louisiana
swamp and ‘hands-on’ animal encounters. With innovative natural
habitat exhibits and an animal collection ranging from the
unique white alligators to the extraordinary white tigers,
Audubon Zoo has become one of the Gulf South’s favorite family
gathering spots.
Minnesota Zoo - Apple Valley, MN -
This zoo was built in a
suburbanizing rural area and thus had more area to house
exhibits, and was one of the first to organize its animals by
their living environment as opposed to organizing animals
according to species. Exhibits are arrayed in five themed areas,
including three themed walking trails ranging from one to two
miles in length.
Cincinnati Zoo -
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is the second-oldest zoo
in the United States and is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It
opened in 1875: just 14 months after the Philadelphia Zoo on
July 1, 1874. The Reptile House is the oldest zoo building in
America, dating from 1875. Nicknamed "The Sexiest Zoo in
America" it is world renowned for its breeding programs,
especially for cheetahs. A bonobo born at the zoo in December
2003 raises the U.S. zoo population of our rapidly-disappearing
closest cousin to 60, of which seven are in Cincinnati.
The 10 Best Zoos for Kids by Child Magazine -
Link
1.
Lowry
Park Zoo
2.
San Diego Zoo
3.
Oklahoma City
Zoological Park and Botanical Garden
4.
Brookfield
Zoo
5.
Phoenix Zoo
6.
Cincinnati
Zoo &Botanical Garden
7.
Bronx Zoo
8.
Toledo Zoo
9.
Fort Wayne
Children's Zoo
10.
Columbus Zoo
Listing of American Zoos
This listing of the
Top Ten Zoos in the United States is constantly being revised as new zoos are being build and
old ones are being remodeled.
So, if you feel we are missing one, please email us and let us
know!