Amazing Zoos in the USA

In this travel blog, discover the 10 best zoos to visit in the USA.

#10 Oregon Zoo (Portland, Oregon)

Animal lovers, especially those who have a strong connection to wildlife, are sure to be captivated by this first best zoo on our list. This iconic zoo officially opened in 1888, and is famously recognized as the oldest zoo in the West. The Oregon Zoo in Portland has an astonishing 2,200 animals with over 260 species, like Asian elephants who enjoy mud wallows and water highlights. Guests of this zoo can have a close encounter with animals, and can see the African hedgehog, Visayan warty pigs, rhinos, monkeys, sea lions, polar bears, penguins, and tigers. Another fascinating highlight of this zoo is a popular exclusive program entitled,” It’s Wildlife Live!” that typically shows during the summer where they feature wildlife demonstrations at the amphitheater.

#9 Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle, Washington)

For natural homes and a magnificent recreation of exclusive homes for animals, this iconic paradise in Washington is among the most highly recognized zoos in the nation. The Woodland Park Zoo proves how clever it is to be able to make a perfect habitat for wildlife. Among the cool highlights you can expect to see in this zoo are the African Savannah, where you can spot giraffes, zebras, and African lions, the Northern Trail, where you may be able to see gray wolves, snowy owls, and brown bears, the Temperate Forest with red pandas and Kunekune pigs, and the Adaptations Building, with animals like sloths, Indian flying foxes, and meerkats. You can have a more immersive adventure at the “Brew at the Zoo” where you can experience beer tastings plus a special behind the scene tour as a show of support to the conservation efforts of the zoo.

#8 Alaska Zoo (Anchorage, Alaska)

To see arctic creatures without waiting for too long, check out this zoo in Anchorage that stands out among the rest. It has an exclusive area for animals that can only survive in special weather conditions. The Alaska Zoo is small, but it has a unique highlight that can easily draw the attention of travelers. This zoo has animals which evolved to survive in frigid conditions, like snow leopards, Canadian lynx, reindeer, and muskoxen. It is also known as a snowy paradise for animals that have been rescued, been injured by unexpected incidents, been abandoned by their owners, or been orphaned polar bear cubs. You can have a close-up encounter and get a chance to be offered a unique hands-on moment with the park’s wolves or big cats! Try participating in making their diets, providing enrichment, cleaning, and even training with a professional zookeeper.

#7 Bronx Zoo (New York)

The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world! This zoo has over 6,000 animals belonging to more than 600 species. Explorers of this zoo can also partake in an adventure activity that has been gaining attention from a lot of travelers, the Treetop Adventure. You can climb and zip line through the trees! Those who just want to chill can go to the Butterfly Garden where they will be greeted with dozens of types of painted insects that can be spotted on the meadow flowers and nectar trays.

#6 Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, Nebraska)

Making every visitor leave speechless and breathless with its unforgettable highlights is the main goal of this zoo in Nebraska. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha mainly showcases its awe-inspiring glazed geodesic dome, which is highly renowned as the largest of its kind. As you step foot inside the gigantic structure, you can find and witness the gorgeous and superb recreation of the Sonoran Desert in the southwest, the Namib Desert of Africa, and the Red Center Desert in Australia. The Henry Doorly Zoo’s glazed geodesic dome covers a stunning area of 84,000 square feet and houses desert plants, sand dunes, reptiles, bobcats, and rattlesnakes. Another highlight not to miss out on is the “Kingdom of the Night,” which is known to be the largest nocturnal exhibit in the world, where visitors can catch dark-dwelling species like mole rats, aardvarks, bush babies, and bats.

#5 Columbus Zoo (Columbus, Ohio)

The well-known late night television guest zookeeper Jack Hanna has brought a lot of attention to this haven in Columbus. It features a world-class recognized aquarium with a capacity of over a hundred thousand gallons that houses a coral reef with fascinating tropical fish. There is also a Congo habitat that has gorillas, bonobos, and mandrills. A perfect spot for kids is the Animal Encounter Village, where they are properly guided by professional zookeepers to be able to meet up-close with some of the zoo’s local residents, such as hedgehogs and wallabies.

#4 Living Desert Zoo (Palm Desert, California)

There have been a lot of desert-themed zoos that have arisen in southern California, and among those is this Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert. In this particular zoo, you can see an exceptional 1,400 species including giraffes, gazelles, cheetahs, and camels. There are also impressive flora like fascinating native species from Coachella Valley including the creosote, desert lavender, white sage, triangle palm, elephant tree, and baobab from Madagascar’s Garden.

#3 Minnesota Zoo (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

If you are in search of oddball creatures or phenomenal animals, then you might want to check out this zoo situated in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Zoo has a great population of exotic species, which can be spotted in its six interesting themed sections and trails. The popular walking trail for explorers of this zoo is the Tropics Trail, where the visitors are led to an indoor exhibit to witness the gorgeous displays of creatures. There is also Russia’s Grizzly Coast that showcases animals that came from the Far East of Russia. You can also engage yourself in the daily shows and exciting feeding sessions like the Tropical Reef Dive Show and Monk Seal Demo together with an IMAX Theater for streaming wildlife films.

#2 Denver Zoo (Denver, Colorado)

The Denver Zoo can be found in City Park in Denver, Colorado. It lets its visitors meet adorable animals and highlights eco-friendly operations and natural habitats that stand out among the rest. There are slithering reptiles, colorful butterflies, elephants, and lions at Predator Ridge, polar bears at the Northern Shores, and orangutans at the Primate Panorama. This place can be especially fun for toddlers. The Denver Zoo has a Pioneer Train, where you can have a joyous ride around Flamingo Lake and Carousel Meadow.

#1 Saint Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Missouri)

This beautiful zoo in Missouri is among the country’s best zoos to visit. The Saint Louis Zoo has over 600 species and a famous polar bear named Kali. Kali is a total entertainer for the guests of this paradise. He can actually gaze back at you once he catches you staring at him. With that, he will start playing and act cute in front of his visitors who come to see him. Another spot that you must not miss is the zoo’s African Savanna, as you can watch impressive shows of sea lions and see giraffes, zebras, and gazelles. The Saint Louis Zoo is widely recognized for its unbeatable efforts in research, animal conservation, management and education.

Thanks for reading, Revellers! There are plenty of options when it comes to zoos in the United States. There are many different animals you can see there! Which of these spectacular zoos in the United States would YOU like to visit? Comment below, we’re excited to hear your picks!