What Are The Top 10 Zoos In America

The United States of America is home to some fantastic zoos and wildlife parks that never fail to amaze visitors. These zoos have assembled incredible collections of animals from all over the globe to help celebrate and conserve the world’s wildlife.

While answering the common question of “what is the best zoo in the U.S.?” is tricky, it’s not hard to show you a shortlist of the best. A list of just the top 10 zoos in the United States wouldn’t quite do justice to the many amazing contenders, so we’ve chosen the 25 best zoos in the U.S. instead.

Philadelphia Zoo is a much-loved institution and easily one of the top zoos in the U.S. That honor is partly due to it being one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. It opened in 1859 and was officially chartered in 1874 after being delayed by the Civil War, earning it the title of “the nation’s first zoo.”

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Places In Top 10 Best Zoos In North America

The history isn’t the only interesting element of this zoo, which counts many endangered species among its nearly 1, 300 animals. Within its 42 acres, you’ll find beautiful creatures such as black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Amur tigers, and giant otters.

While the state has quite a few impressive zoos, Bronx Zoo is definitely among the best zoos in NY. The zoo covers 265 acres within Bronx Park, which makes it one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the country. 

Bronx Zoo opened in 1899, but it began its legacy of promoting animal welfare and conservation when it created the first modern hospital for zoo animals in 1916. Its exhibits now house over 6, 000 animals from 700 species, including typical favorites like tigers, lions, and gorillas, as well as smaller creatures like lemurs and reptiles.

Best Zoos In The Us 2023

To see all manner of animals native to California at one of the best zoos in America, head to Oakland Zoo. Its California Trail exhibit focuses on indigenous species such as grizzly bears, gray wolves, and bison. Of course, there are other exhibits and facilities across Oakland Zoo’s 100 acres too, including a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and a large butterfly garden.

The zoo originally opened in 1922 in downtown Oakland. It’s now located in Oakland Hills’ Knowland Park and home to over 700 native and exotic animals, such as sun bears, reticulated giraffes, and hamadryas baboons.

Of the countless zoos across the country, Zoo Miami is the only subtropical one in the continental U.S. It also happens to be the largest and best zoo in Florida. Officially known as the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, the zoo opened in 1948 and was relocated to its current site in 1980.

The Top Zoos In The World

Miami’s subtropical climate is important here, as it provides a naturally warm and humid environment for the zoo’s animals, which originate from Asia, Australia, and Africa. These animals include exotic species such as Malayan tapirs, Komodo dragons, and Matschie’s tree-kangaroos, as well as old favorites like gorillas and lions.

If you take its combination of land area and number of species into consideration, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo claims the title of the biggest zoo in the USA. Since starting out in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo, this beloved zoo has made a name for itself as a leader in wildlife conservation and research.

Henry Doorly Zoo holds well over 900 species on its 130 acres. You’ll have the chance to see rhinos, tigers, lions, and elephants here, while the on-site aquarium lets you get up close to sharks and sea turtles.

America's 10 Best Zoos

Whether or not it’s the best zoo in Ohio, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is certainly one of the largest zoos in the United States, thanks to its 580 acres of land. Found in Liberty Township north of Columbus, this nonprofit zoo opened in 1927, and it has expanded over the years to include its own 18-hole golf course.

The zoo’s sprawling grounds are divided into eight groups of exhibits, each reflecting a different geographical region. Leopards, bobcats, penguins, and kangaroos are among its 7, 000-plus animalsfrom over 800 species.

Easily the best zoo in California – and one of the best in the world – is the famous San Diego Zoo. Founded in 1916 as part of Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo has become a headline attraction for the city and the most visited zoo in the U.S.

Indianapolis Zoo Named One Of '10 Best Zoos In U.s.'

One reason this zoo is so popular is its wonderfully diverse wildlife, with 650 species totaling over 3, 500 animals. To showcase this diversity, the zoo is separated into eight exhibits, each for a different habitat or geographical region. One of its most popular exhibits is the Australian Outback, which includes koalas and Tasmanian devils.

What started as a gift of an American black bear to the mayor of Denver in 1896 has grown into Denver Zoo, a groundbreaking Colorado institution. This zoo was the first of its kind in the U.S. to introduce naturalistic habitats for the welfare of its animals. Since then, the zoo has worked hard to extend its conservation efforts beyond its own animal population, running global conservation programs on four continents.

With a visit to Denver Zoo, you’ll support these conservation efforts and get to see more than 3, 500 animals from 400-plus species. The zoo is still known for its bear population, as well as its Amur tigers, Asian elephants, and special Stingray Cove exhibit.

Best Zoos In New York State To Visit In 2022: Tickets, Hours, Animals

You can find quite a few great zoos in Texas, but the Fort Worth Zoo is the state’s contribution to the best zoos in the United States. While it had a very modest number of animals when it opened in 1909, the zoo has grown considerably, now featuring 7, 000 animals from over 540 species. Two of its most popular exhibits are the 2.5-acre World of Primates, where you can see all four species of great apes, and the Museum of Living Art, which is home to many endangered reptiles and amphibians.

Sitting 6, 800 feet above sea level in Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holds the title of the highest zoo in the U.S. Founded by philanthropist Spencer Penrose in 1926 as a place for his personal collection of exotic animals, the zoo has grown to hold 800 animals from more than 200 species. Over 30 of those are endangered species, including black rhinos and lar gibbons. You can even view animals from an aerial perspective by taking the Mountaineer Sky Ride, a ski lift that runs over the grizzly bear and Amur tiger enclosures.

For one of the best East Coast zoos, check out Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida. Over 900 animals from more than 195 species live on this 75-acre property full of classic Florida landscapes. These creatures come from all over the world, but there are also species native to the state, such as the Florida black bear and the American alligator.

The 10 Largest Zoos In The United States In 2024

Taking a novel approach, Brevard Zoo emphasizes interaction with the animal residents. You can hand-feed giraffes and walk with kangaroos here – and even enjoy adventurous activities such as kayak tours and zip-lining.

Given its free admission, it’s hard to imagine not wanting to visit Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri. Part of Forest Park in the city’s western area, Saint Louis Zoo (formally known as Saint Louis Zoological Park) is certainly one of the top zoos in the country.

Thanks to public subsidies, Saint Louis Zoo is free to enter, allowing everyone to see its 13, 000 animals from 555 species. The exhibits include red pandas, polar bears, two-toed sloths, puffins, and all kinds of reptiles and amphibians.

San Diego Zoo

New Orleans has no end of things to do, but Audubon Zoo is one of its most adored and enduring attractions. Although the zoo itself didn’t open until 1914, the site has hosted interesting animals since the 1884 World Cotton Centennial.

The zoo grounds cover 58 acres, including the only genuine swamp you’ll find in Uptown New Orleans. Its most popular attraction is the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit, which showcases rare white alligators and Louisiana black bears, but also highlights the interplay between the Cajun and Native American cultures and the local wildlife.

You can find another great American zoo in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle. Dating back to 1899, Woodland Park Zoo has a long history of wildlife conservation.

Worst Zoos 2016

The exhibits are broken up into different bioclimatic zones, totaling over 900 animals from around 250 species across the zoo’s 92 acres. You’ll need to explore various zones to see the zoo’s most incredible creatures, such as the snow leopard, flying fox, and hippo. 

In true Seattle style, Woodland Park Zoo also hosts Brew at the Zoo, an annual event where you can taste craft beers from local breweries. This is usually in October, making a good case for visiting Seattle in the fall!

Recommendation: Get free admission to Woodland Park Zoo and four other major attractions in Seattle with the Seattle CityPASS, which is perfect for a couple days of sightseeing.

Best Zoos In The United States, According To Our Readers

Covering a massive 1, 800 acres, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is the largest zoo in the U.S. Located near Palm Springs in California, the zoo has been showcasing desert flora and fauna since 1970.

Much of the zoo’s grounds have been left in

Berbagi :