Top 10 Most Popular Zoos in the U.S.

Zoos offer families and individual animal lovers alike a chance to see and learn about a wide variety of animals from around the world, all while enjoying a fun and educational day out. The United States is home to many world-class zoos, each with its own unique features and attractions. In this article, we will take a look at the top ten zoos in the U.S., highlighting their best exhibits, animal collections, and visitor experiences.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is home to over 12,00 animals, and is home to a huge botanical garden with over 700,000 plants. It covers 100 acres of land just north of downtown San Diego, California. They are also a part of the San Diego Safari Park, which has 1,800 acres and is home to more than 3,500 animals.

Animals like elephants, lions, giraffes, and more are able to roam freely and safely in the park. The zoo is home to all kinds of animals, but some of the most popular ones to see would be the Red Pandas, pygmy hippopotami, penguins, polar bears, monkeys, and various big cats like lions, snow leopards, and mountain lions. They also have various bird species, as well as all kinds of reptiles and amphibians.

They offer a 45-minute guided double-decker bus tour to get the full experience of the zoo. They also have a bus service that stops at four different locations around the park, so if your feet are hurting after all that walking, you can still get the full experience! They also have an aerial tram that allows you to see the park from up high. They also have various personalized inside-look tours and VIP experiences where you can get close and personal with some of the animals and have an expert share their knowledge about the animals with you. The zoo places a strong emphasis on conservation efforts around the globe. They work tirelessly to preserve and restore wildlife habitats and populations.

The San Diego Zoo also has a special focus on Giant Pandas and works closely with Chinese scientists, researchers, and zookeepers to help increase their population. Giant Pandas were going extinct and, for a time, weren't reproducing well in zoos. A nutritionist at San Diego zoo helped create a milk formula for Giant Pandas so they would have better success. This, combined with a hand-rearing technique developed by the Chinese called "twin swapping," has transformed the survival rate of zoo-reared panda cubs in China from 0 to 95 percent.

Pandas typically only have 1 or 2 babies at a time, and the babies are quite dependent on their mother for the first few years of life. Unfortunately, when there are two babies, the mother will only take care of one. Thanks to the idea of twin swapping, zoo keepers rotate the babies and take turns with the mother in caring for the babies. The giant panda breeding rate at the Wolong Breeding Center in China, as well as the breeding rate at the San Diego Zoo, have increased dramatically following multiyear collaborations.

Audubon Zoo

The Audubon Zoo is in New Orleans, Louisiana and first opened its door in 1916. They have elephants, gorillas, orangutans, tigers, lions, and giraffes, as well as thirty different species of birds in their aviary exhibits. Another famous exhibit at the Audubon zoo is their Louisiana Swamp exhibit, where visitors from around the world can learn all about the diverse ecosystem and wildlife in Louisiana.

They also have a small waterpark with a lazy river to help people cool off during the hot summer months! In addition to the exhibits and experiences, Audubon Zoo also offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages. These programs include behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, and classes on topics such as animal behavior, conservation, and sustainability.

They also have innovative educational programs and, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, work on reforestation every year. They are also incredibly passionate about caring for their animals. The Audubon Zoo is located on some of the highest land in New Orleans, but New Orleans has faced catastrophic hurricanes and flooding in the past. The zoo has an ever-improving emergency preparedness plan for all their animals. When Hurricane Katrina hit and devastated New Orleans in 2005, 14 staff stayed at the zoo to ensure the animals were cared for.

More recently, they are continuing their dedication to conservancy with their Freeport-McMoran Audubon Species Survival Center, which works to help increase populations that are dwindling. More specifically, they are focusing a great part of their efforts on restoring wild populations of the Louisiana Pine snake, which is one of the rarest snakes in the United States.

Audubon Zoo also offers a range of interactive experiences for visitors, such as the Zoo-To-Do event, the Zoo's major fundraising event, and the Zoo's animal encounters, which allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the zoo's animals. Overall, the Audubon Zoo is an incredible place to learn about all sorts of amazing animals as well as to be a part of larger conservation efforts.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio, first opened its door in 1875, making it the second oldest zoo in the United States. When it first started out, the zoo was quite small. It originally consisted of only eight monkeys, two grizzly bears, three deer, six raccoons, two elk, a buffalo, a hyena, a tiger, an alligator, and a circus elephant. But they did have over four hundred birds and even a talking crow! The Cincinnati Zoo went on to grow and became highly rated among its peers.

The Cincinnati Zoo is well-known for its dedication to conservation efforts, education, and the preservation of animals and habitats. In fact, it is often considered to be the most highly-rated zoo in the country. More than just providing a safe home for the animals, they also proudly focus on enrichment to try to find new ways to simulate an animal's natural habitat and help them use all their senses as they would in the wild. This can include adding various trees for the monkeys to play and climb around on or even adding a new ball into a lion cub's enclosure for it to practice its pounce.

Animals in their care include all sorts of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even animals like manatees, elephants, lions, and penguins. Their reptile exhibit is actually housed in the oldest zoo building in the entire country, having been built in 1875. They have tons of fun activities, including scavenger hunts and zoo keys, where you can insert a key into any of twenty different stations throughout the zoo to learn even more about the animals. The zoo was also known for being the last home to Incas, the last living Carolina parakeet. Incas passed away in 1918. Despite efforts from zoos all over the U.S., the species was declared extinct in 1939.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Another highly ranked zoo is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and is known as Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. It is located on 160 acres, but 7 of those acres have indoor attractions on them, so it is perfect for an all-year-round visit. They have all sorts of tours and experiences, including golf cart tours so you can see it all and backstage visits where people can learn more in-depth about the various processes involved in taking care of the zoo's animals. You can even witness a penguin feeding session and watch the sharks eat too! You can also get up close and personal with giraffes!

Some of the popular exhibits include the Owen Sea Lion Shores, where you can see the state-of-the-art home of Omaha's sea lions in their 275,000-gallon pool. The pool even has its own island to mimic the sea lions' natural habitat, and zookeepers have a mechanism that makes waves for the pool. There are also tons of other animals to see too, like cheetahs, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, stingrays, and so much more.

There are even options for staying overnight and camping at the zoo! With the Safari Tent Camp, families can camp out in an area just adjacent to the Lion Exhibit and take part in all sorts of fun, educational activities and, of course, roast marshmallows.

They also have various programs to get up close and personal with the animals, like Stingray Beach, where you can get a little cup of food and feed the stingrays yourself. The Omaha Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of dozens of different endangered species. Some examples include the Bongo, Okapi, ring-tailed lemur, Aye Aye, Golden Mantella, and more.

Brookfield Zoo

The Brookfield Zoo is located in Brookfield, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It first opened in 1934 and quickly became internationally known for its cutting-edge animal care and conservation efforts. Some of the zoo's conservation efforts include breeding programs for endangered species, habitat restoration projects, and research on animal behavior and disease. In fact, they were the first zoo to perform a life-saving brain surgery on a gorilla.

As mentioned earlier, Okapi are one of several endangered species. They, too, have a home at Brookfield zoo. In fact, the first Okapi born in the U.S. was born at the Brookfield Zoo in 1959, and they have continued their breeding program to this day.

The zoo also features several special exhibits throughout the year, such as the Butterfly Habitat, which is open seasonally and allows visitors to walk among hundreds of live butterflies. The Great Bear Wilderness is home to Grizzly bears and Polar bears.

They also have a rainforest aviary that is home to many beautiful species of birds. The aviary hosts a feeding experience for those wishing to get a little bit closer to the birds. For the noon feeding, participants can help staff prepare the birds' lunch and learn all about their eating habits. Then they get behind-the-scenes access to the aviary and can give the birds their food and even interact with them.

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is located in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York. It first opened in 1899 and is considered to be the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S. It comprises over 265 acres of land and is home to 4,000 animals representing over 600 species. The zoo also offers several educational programs for children that provide hands-on learning opportunities and animal encounters. Additionally, visitors can take guided tours, get behind-the-scenes experiences, and participate in animal feedings.

The Bronx Zoo is also home to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) headquarters. WCS is an organization that supports conservation efforts in over 60 countries worldwide. The Bronx Zoo is also a research center and has ongoing projects in areas such as wildlife health, population management, and conservation biology.

Since its inception, the Bronx Zoo has been a leader in wildlife conservation and is home to many endangered species. They have a variety of habitats and programs for animals, including the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Tiger Mountain, the World of Birds, and the Madagascar! exhibit. These exhibits house many different kinds of animals, such as gorillas, tigers, flamingos, and lemurs.

There are also public sea lion feedings, penguin feedings, and even private wild encounters available, like getting up close and personal with a giraffe, hanging out with sloths, petting a friendly Fennec Fox, and people can even meet the penguins, and visit a cheetah!

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is a zoo located in Washington, D.C., United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, having been founded in 1889.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's breeding programs for endangered species have made great strides in recent years. Breeding programs for giant panda cubs, Sumatran tiger cubs, Kori bustard chicks, African lion cubs, Cuban crocodile hatchlings, and Andean bear cubs, among many others, have all been remarkably successful.

The zoo has also laid claim to several "firsts" among zoos in the U.S. For example, the first Kiwi chick to be born outside New Zealand was born in 1975. the first Komodo dragon to hatch outside of Indonesia hatched in 1992. And a panda was born who became the first ever-surviving panda cub at the Zoo (2005).

More than just breeding endangered species within the zoo's walls and land, the zoo also works to introduce animals born in the zoo to their native habitats so they can continue to grow their populations. For example, Golden lion tamarins have successfully been bred at the zoo and introduced into their native Brazilian rainforest as well as black-footed ferrets have been returned to their wild habitat in the U.S.

Fort Worth Zoo

The Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 in Fort Worth, Texas. While it started out small with just one lion, two bear cubs, one alligator, one coyote, a peacock, and a couple of rabbits, it has gone on to become a home for over 7,000 animals on almost 70 acres of land. It is home to 72 species of mammals, 148 species of birds, 160 species of fish, and invertebrates, and it has one of the largest collections of reptiles in the U.S., with 172 species. It also is only one of 7 zoos in the U.S. to be home to bonobos. And it has gone on to become an international leader in Asian elephant conservation.

The zoo also has a plethora of educational programs, conservation projects, animal enrichment programs, and breeding programs for endangered species. They also have fun ways for the public to get involved, like "adopting" an animal for a loved one as a gift for Christmas, Valentine's day, or birthdays! Recipients of the gift receive a plush version of the animal, an activity book, an adoption certificate, and more.

Saint Louis Zoological Park

The Saint Louis Zoo is a zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, having opened in 1904. The zoo is home to over 14,000 animals from more than 700 species and covers 90 acres. It is known for its extensive collection of primates, as well as its conservation efforts, including breeding programs for endangered species. The Saint Louis Zoo is a major tourist attraction in St. Louis, drawing over 3 million visitors annually. One of the great aspects of the zoo is that it is always free to enter. But, of course, donations are always welcome!

The zoo is divided into several different zones, including the River's Edge, which features animals from North and South America, the Discovery Corner, which is geared towards children and features interactive exhibits, and the Historic Hill, which features animals from Africa, including lions, zebras, and giraffes.

The zoo also features a number of special exhibits, such as the "Red Rocks," which houses tigers, lions, and leopards, and "the Wild," which is home to a variety of penguin species. The Zoo also has a bird exhibit, an Insectarium, a sea lion show, a children's zoo, a carousel, and a train ride.

The Saint Louis Zoo is also well-known for its conservation efforts, which include breeding programs for endangered species like the Panamanian golden frog, the black-footed ferret, and the African elephant. The zoo also has a number of research projects, including a long-term study of gorillas in Rwanda and a program to protect the endangered black rhinoceros. Additionally, the zoo has a number of education programs for both children and adults, including camps, classes, and behind-the-scenes tours.

Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considered to be the United States’ first zoo. It first opened its gates in 1874. It was planned to have been opened sooner but was delayed for over 15 years because of the Civil War. Nevertheless, the Philadelphia zoo has gone on to the standards for zoos across the country. Today it is home to more than 1,700 animals offering award-winning animal exhibits, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, award-winning education, and conservation programs,

They have exhibits like the McNeil Avian Center, home to the Guam kingfisher, which is extinct in the wild, and the Guam rail, which is classified as critically endangered, and Big Cat Falls, home to jaguars, snow leopards, African lions, Amur leopards, and Amur tigers, and the Water is Life exhibit which is home to the endangered giant otter and red panda They also lead and support conservation efforts out in the field, too. They are currently working on conservation efforts for animals like the Rodrigues fruit bat and the golden lion tamarin.

Another of the zoo's many accomplishments is that they were responsible for the first successful orangutan and chimpanzee births in the U.S. They are also home to the innovative Zoo360 program, which is an incredibly unique system of see-through mesh-covered trails above zoo grounds. Animals like tigers, gorillas, and lemurs can all use their own trail system to get to various parts of the park. Visitors could get the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing a tiger walking above their heads!

Final Takeaways

The top ten zoos in the U.S. make up an impressive collection of institutions that offer visitors an opportunity to see, interact with, and learn about a wide variety of animals from around the world. From the San Diego Zoo's world-renowned collection of exotic animals to the Bronx Zoo's focus on conservation and education, each of these zoos offers something unique and special.

Whether you're looking for a family-friendly day out or a more in-depth educational experience, these zoos are sure to delight and inspire visitors of all ages. In addition, many of these zoos also play a critical role in conservation efforts and animal research, making them not only a fun destination but also an important part of preserving our planet's biodiversity. Overall, these zoos are must-see destinations for anyone interested in wildlife and nature.