Lions, Tigers and Zebras! Plus Giraffes, Hippos and Bears. The best zoos in the US include large enclosures that allow for free-roaming wildlife. Encounter programming, where visitors can get close to the animals, are another top feature. Zoos with thousands of animals, including endangered species, are always top zoos in the US. There are zoos from the Bronx to San Diego for your next getaway.
15 Best Zoos in the US
San Diego Zoo
St. Louis Zoo
Houston Zoo
The Bronx Zoo
Dallas Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs, CA
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ
Indianapolis Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
Audubon Zoo in New Orleans
Disney Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs
Top US Destinations for Families
San Diego Zoo
Within the boundaries of Balboa Park, tour the zoo that pioneered open-air habitats with a collection of 12,000 rare and endangered specimens of over 650 different species of animals. Start with the 35-minute guided bus tour, then walk around the 100-acre facility. This is one of the best zoos in the US.
It’s a compact zoo and easy to explore in one day without long walking distances between each animal exhibit. The Giant Panda, the Koalas and the Tasmanian Devil are all must-sees during your visit. Take a ride on the Skyfari Gondola for amazing views above the zoo and the entire Balboa Park.
Worth noting, its companion property, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Safari, is not in the same location. It is not possible to tour both facilities on the same day.
Located at 2920 Zoo Dr. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Top Things to Do in San Diego
St. Louis Zoo
Home to 16,000 animals from 500 different species, visitors can spend the entire day at the St. Louis Zoo. This is one of the top zoos in the U.S., and best of all, it is free. This is one of the best zoos in the US.
Zoogoers can ride the Zooline Railroad on a 20-minute narrated tour that runs 1.5 miles through the exhibits. It is $7.95, and the tickets allow for on-off privileges for one day. Another popular ride is the Conservation Carousel. It features 64 colorful hand-carved wooden animals and is ADA-accessible. It is $2.95 per ride.
For visitors who would like a tour, the St. Louis Zoo offers many options, from an elephant excursion to a tour of the on-site vet hospital. These tours require advance reservations and are additional.
Other popular shows at Caribbean Cove include the Bird Show, the Sea Lion Show, and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove. There is also a 4D theatre.
Located at 1 Government Dr, St. Louis. It is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the summer. For the rest of the year, the St. Louis Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in winter).
Top Things to Do in St. Louis
Houston Zoo
With 6,000 animals and 55 acres to explore, the Houston Zoo is the second most visited zoo in the U.S., with an annual attendance of over 2 million people. Visitors will find several ecosystems to explore, like an African forest or the Galapagos Islands. A visitor favorite is the world of primates.
The children’s zoo offers animals like goats to pet. There’s a natural play area with a sand and mud area. The carousel has been a favorite with kids for years. This is one of the top things to do in Houston.
Located at 6200 Hermann Park Dr. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.).
The Bronx Zoo
With more than 11,000 animals from over 640 species, the Bronx Zoo is one of the largest in the U.S. It covers 265 acres and features naturalistic habitats separated by the Bronx River.
The Bronx Zoo is within Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York City. It is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States by area.
Located at 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on weekends).
Dallas Zoo
Opening in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas and is one of the top things to do in Dallas with kids. With 106 acres, zoo-goers find over 2,000 animals from 406 species with lions, elephants, gorillas, and hippos.
Located at 650 S R L Thornton Freeway. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in winter and fall).
Top Things to Do in Dallas
San Antonio Zoo
Since 1914, the San Antonio Zoo has delighted kids and adults alike. The San Antonio Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals belonging to 750 species. Located in Breckenridge Park, it features 56 acres and it was one of the first cageless zoos in the U.S.
It is home to endangered species and actively breeds several. The San Antonio Zoo offers an area for animals of the African savannah and plains. In addition, visitors will find a bird house, an aquarium, and a Big Cat Alley.
Located at 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Top Things to Do in San Antonio
Fort Worth Zoo
The Fort Worth Zoo is home to 7,000 native and exotic animals. It opened in 1909 and covers 68 acres.
Current animals and exhibits include Penguins, World of Primates, the brand new Predators of Asia and Africa, Raptor Canyon, Flamingo Bay, Elephant Springs, Australian Outback, African Savanna and a Texas Wild habitat. The Museum of Living Art is a 30,000-square-foot herpetarium.
Located at 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 p.m. on weekends).
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs, CA
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is home to over 500 animals representing over 150 species. This is the place to learn about the eco-diversity of the world’s deserts, including the Mojave. This facility is a zoo along with a botanical garden.
Located at 47900 Portola Ave. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 1 to May 31 and 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the summer.
Top Things to Do in Palm Springs
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ
The name is a bit confusing, but the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum combines a zoo, a botanical garden, an aquarium, and an art gallery. It opened in 1952.
With 98 acres, it’s home to over 240 desert animal species with over 4,800 animals, including a hummingbird aviary, mountain lions and coyotes, among others. Visitors will also find a sting ray touch tank and the Warren Aquarium.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum features 1,200 local plant species to discover around its outdoor spaces. Though about 85 percent of your experience is outdoors and requires walking, it’s best to explore early in the day.
Located at 2021 N. Kinney Rd., about 13 miles west of central Tucson and within the Tucson Mountain Park. It is open every day. Generally, the museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October until May and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the summer.
Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo is a 93-acre non-profit zoo, public aquarium, and botanical garden. The George Washington Park location opened in 1964.
The Indianapolis Zoo features five biomes: the desert, forest, ocean, plains and flights of fancy. It is home to nearly 1,500 animals representing over 200 species. Visitors can see animal demonstrations and special animal encounters (extra fee).
Located at 1200 W. Washington St. Open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to at least 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from spring until fall, with extended hours during the summer. During the winter, the Indianapolis Zoo is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Top Things to Do in Indianapolis
Cameron Park Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas, has over 1,700 animals representing more than 300 species. The zoo is located on 52 acres in Cameron Park, next to the Brazos River.
The zoo features three main sections: an Asian Forest, an African Savanna and the Brazos River Country. The Brazos River bisects Waco, and the animals in this section of the zoo are native to this area of Texas.
All the exhibits are easy to find, with wide paths and gentle inclines, perfect for grandmas and strollers. With a map full of pictograms, kids can read it alone and lead the way. And the zoo is laid out in a large circle–nothing to be missed.
Located at 1701 N. 4th St. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Audubon Zoo in New Orleans
In Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo has more than 1,700 animals representing over 350 species. It covers 58 acres in Uptown New Orleans. It opened in 1914 and was named after the famous naturalist John James Audubon. The Asian Domain includes elephants.
Its notable exhibits include the World of Primates, African Savanna, South American Pampas, Jaguar Jungle, Louisiana Swamp and Sea Lion Theater.
Located at 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Top Museums to Visit in New Orleans
Disney Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Opening in 1998, Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is home to approximately 2000 animals representing around 200 species. With animals from Asia and Africa, visitors can see lions, elephants, gorillas, rhinos and giraffes.
As a theme park, Animal Kingdom offers rides like the Kilimanjaro Safaris, where riders venture through the African savannah in a safari truck to see the animals.
Meander along the winding paths through Pangani Forest and encounter African animals at every turn.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge also overlooks the Savannah, with animals roaming.
Located at 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, Florida. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs
Founded in 1926, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo covers 146 picturesque acres with over 800 animals, including specimens from over 30 endangered species. It is the highest zoo in the U.S. at 6,714 feet above sea level.
Popular habitats include the Water’s Edge with African animals. African Rift Valley and Austrailia WalkAbout. The Rocky Cliffs and the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit showcase animals of the region.
Located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1 Comment
interesting. I’ve seen the Columbus (Ohio) listed I the top 10 in many reviews. It’s not even listed here.