In this article, we will look at the 20 Best Zoos in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of these zoos and go directly to the 5 Best Zoos in the US.
Zoos remain an integral part of our entertainment and recreation, especially for kids. According to Association of Zoos and Aquariums, over 183 million people in the US visit zoos annually.
Zoos and aquariums serve the purpose of conserving and showcasing land and aquatic animals for education and recreational purposes. However, zoos suffered heavy losses as foot traffic came to a screeching halt after the coronavirus crisis.
The travel and tourism industry has also suffered losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with new data suggesting that those losses may total to $766 billion in the United States alone during 2020. Like most industries, the travel and tourism industry has also been subjected to layoffs.
The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) annual Economic Impact Report says that the number of jobs supported by the industry had declined by 33.2%, from 16.5 million to 11.1 million, due to the pandemic in the US alone.
Zoos and travel and tourism companies like Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), AirBnB Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are, however, on track for a strong recovery as governments around the world scramble to vaccinate millions of people in the coming months.
Our Methodology
While selecting zoos for this list, we took into account factors like the number of animals, the total number of visitors, visitor feedback and diversity of species
Photo by Omar Ram on Unsplash
Best Zoos in the US
20. Woodland Park Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 1098
Annual Visitors: 1.4 million
One of the smallest zoos on this list, the Woodland Park Zoo is home to only 1098 animals of 300 unique species. It was opened in 1899, and some of its popular exhibits include the Jaguar Cove and the Humboldt Penguin Exhibit. It welcomes 1.4 million visitors annually.
19. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Total Animals in the Zoo: 500
Annual Visitors: 0.5 million
The Living Desert Zoo focuses on exhibiting the deserts of the world and the animals that live there. It houses 500 animals of 150 individual species. Opened in 1970, some of its famous exhibits include the African Safari and the Australian Adventures. It receives half a million visitors every year. It is located in California.
18. Central Park Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 1487
Annual Visitors: 1.0 million
Perhaps best known for being the home of the main characters from the widely popular movie Madagascar, Central Park Zoo is located in New York City in Central Park. It has been in operation since 1864, where it was initially a menagerie. It was rebranded into a zoo in 1934 and then finally wholly renovated into its current form in 1988. This renovation saw all the previous exhibits being replaced with realistic depictions of the animals’ natural habitats. It is home to 1487 animals and 163 unique species. It welcomes more than a million people each year.
Zoos in the US, along with travel and tourism companies like Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), AirBnB Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are expected to see a lot of business in the coming months as more and more people begin to travel after getting their COVID-19 vaccine.
17. Detroit Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 2400
Annual Visitors: 1.3 million
Located just outside the city limits, the Detroit Zoo is home to over 2400 animals of 235 unique species. It was opened in 1928, and some of its popular exhibits include the Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback Adventure, and the Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness.
16. Brookfield Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 2300
Annual Visitors: 2 million
Opened in 1934 and based in Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo was one of the first zoos in the United States to build an indoor Dolphin enclosure to display to the public. Among its other firsts, it was also one of the first zoos to exhibit a giant panda in the United States. It was also the first zoo to forgo cages and use deep enclosures and moats to separate the animals and guests. Its most popular attractions include the Dolphins in Action exhibit, the Butterflies Exhibit and The Carousel. Currently, 2300 animals representing 450 different species, are living at the zoo.
As different states begin to open and people start travelling, zoos, along with travel and tourism companies like Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), AirBnB Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are expected to see a lot of business in the coming months.
15. Sedgwick County Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 3000
Annual Visitors: 0.6 million
The Sedgwick County Zoo is home to over 3000 animals of 400 unique species. It was opened in 1971, and some of its popular exhibits include the Downing Gorilla Forest, Pride of the plains, and the Tiger Trek. It has been the recipient of many national and international awards for its efforts towards conservation of endangered species through field conservation programs and breeding in captivity.
14. Pittsburgh Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 4000
Annual Visitors: 1 million
In 1898, the Pittsburgh Zoo was one of the six zoos in the United States that also has an Aquarium. It is home to over 4000 animals and 475 unique species. Some of its famous exhibits include the Kid’s Kingdom, the PPG Aquarium, and the Water’s Edge.
13. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Total Animals in the Zoo: 3500
Annual Visitors: 2 million
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to over 3500 animals of 400 unique species. It was opened in 1972, and some of its popular exhibits include African Plains, African Outpost, and the African Woods. It welcomes 2 million visitors annually.
12. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Total Animals in the Zoo: 1896
Annual Visitors: 1.5 million
The Cincinnati Zoo was opened in 1875 and is home to 1896 animals of over 500 unique species and over 3000 different plant species. It receives 1.5 million visitors every year, and some of its famous exhibits include the P&G Discovery Forest, Eagle Eyrie, and the Reptile House. It is famous for being the home of the last surviving passenger pigeon, Martha, and to the last surviving Carolina parakeet, Incas.
11. The National Zoological Park
Total Animals in the Zoo: 2700
Annual Visitors: 1.8 million
The National Zoological Park is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is one of the few zoos that does not charge admission fee. Located in Washington and opened in 1889, the National Zoological Park is home to over 2700 animals belonging to over 400 unique species. 30 to 40 of these species are endangered, and the Zoo has been active in its efforts to conserve the species and save them from extinction. The zoo welcomes over 1.8 million people annually. The zoo is famously open every day of the year except on Christmas Day.
10. Indianapolis Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 3800
Annual Visitors: 1.1 million
One of the younger zoos on this list, the Indianapolis Zoo began operations as late as 1964. The zoo is located inside the White River Park in the state of Indiana. Currently, over 3800 animals live at the Indianapolis Zoo, and 320 different species are represented there. Their popular exhibits include the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center and the Flights of Fancy exhibits, where guests can witness exotic birds from around the world.
9. Denver Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 3500
Annual Visitors: 2.2 million
With over 3500 animals representing 550 different species, the Denver Zoo seems to be a favorite with locals and tourists, welcoming around 2.2 million visitors annually. It has been declared the most visited paid attraction in the city of Denver. Its exhibits include the Bear Mountain, the Primate Panorama, an exhibition featuring various apes and monkeys, and finally, the Toyota Elephant Passage.
8. Forth Worth Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 7000
Annual Visitors: 2.2 million
The Forth Worth Zoo has been declared one of the top zoos in the United States by three different publications, Family life magazine, USA Today and Southern Living. The zoo currently houses 7000 animals belonging to over 542 other species. It began operations in 1909, and some of its most popular exhibits today include World of primates, Elephant Springs, and Raptor Canyon. It also has an exhibit that features African penguins on a beach with an underwater viewing setup for guests.
As different states begin to open and people start travelling, zoos, along with travel and tourism companies like Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), AirBnB Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are expected to see a lot of business in the coming months.
7. Saint Louis Zoo
Total Animals in the Zoo: 12,000
Annual Visitors: 3 million
The Saint Louis Zoo has opened over 100 years ago in 1910 and is home to over 600 unique species of animals. Entry to the zoo is free, and over 3 million people visit the zoo every year. However, you do have to pay to see some of the special exhibits in the zoo. A popular attraction at this Zoo is the locomotive train that takes guests around the zoo’s perimeter while stopping to show them some of the famous exhibits inside.
6. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Total Animals in the Zoo: 7000
Annual Visitors: 2.3 million
Located in Ohio, the Columbus Zoo has been in operation since 1927. It is home to an astonishing 7000 animals of over 800 unique species. 2.3 million people visit the Columbus Zoo every year. The eight exhibits at the zoo are designed after regions of the world and currently include North America, Asia, the Congo, Australia, and Africa. The zoo also contains an 18-hole golf course that spans 150 acres of land. The Columbus Zoo has also been involved in conservation efforts since it began operations. One of its notable projects includes saving the Mexican Wolf from extinction. The species became almost extinct due to extensive hunting, but the zoo has managed to breed 29 pups in captivity, with the goal of having 100 wolves in their natural habitat.
As different states begin to open and people start travelling, zoos, along with travel and tourism companies like Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), AirBnB Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are expected to see a lot of business in the coming months.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Best Zoos in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
