The 20 Largest Zoos in the U.S. That Every Animal Lover Needs To Visit

Individuals could have blended opinions on zoos, however they have been a enjoyable household pastime for hundreds of years. Adults and kids alike are curious in regards to the many various species in our world, and it’s by way of zoos, aquariums, and parks that you would be able to get up close and personal with wildlife. While lots of these locations exist around the globe, paying a go to to locations that go above and past within the area of animal conservation can actually be an enriching and academic expertise.

With elevated consciousness in regards to the humane therapy of animals in captivity, many zoos are lastly offering preferrred habitats for animals to thrive in, all of the whereas spreading the phrase about what must be carried out to help our endangered or most delicate species. As an illustration, not many individuals are conscious that some zoo animals are prone to allergies, unlike their wild counterparts.

What are the largest zoos in America by way of space? What units them other than each other, and what number of species do they characteristic? Right here’s an overview of the 20 largest zoos within the U.S., providing a fun-filled journey for guests of all ages and ranked by acreage.

UPDATE: 2025/02/21 15:19 EST BY MONA BASSIL

The 20 Largest Zoos within the U.S. That Each Animal Lover Wants To Go to

This listing has been up to date with movies, tables, photographs, suggestions, current additions, thrilling experiences for all ages, and 4 new entries. The zoos are actually ranked by acreage, from smallest to largest.

20

Woodland Park Zoo In Seattle, Washington

Space: 92 acres

Positioned in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood, the award-winning Woodland Park Zoo was established in 1899 as a small personal menagerie. At this time, it welcomes greater than 1,000,000 guests yearly to its animal reveals, playgrounds, conservation applications, and occasions.

The location is split into 11 bioclimatic zones echoing the animals’ pure habitats: African Savanna, Ambassador Animals, Assam Rhino Reserve, Australasia, Butterfly Backyard, Humboldt Penguin Exhibit, Residing Northwest Path, Temperate Forest, Reptile Realm, Tropical Asia, and Tropical Rainforest.

There, you’ll see the heavy but gentle Komodo dragons, African lions, giraffes, zebras, patas monkeys, snow leopards, wallaroos, Chilean flamingoes, pink pandas, Malayan tigers, orangutans, gorillas, toucans, and plenty of extra.

19

Oakland Zoo In Oakland, California

Space: 100 acres

Based in 1922, the Oakland Zoo lies within the Grass Valley neighborhood, throughout the Bay Bridge. It homes species native to the Bay Space and different locations around the globe, together with Florida red-bellied turtles, black bears, jaguars, grey wolves, Panamanian golden frogs, macaws, topped lemurs, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and warthogs.

This zoo is thought for offering take care of animals rescued from human-wildlife conflicts and pure disasters, and it has collaborated with activists and organizations to cease animal abuse in touring circuses and roadside zoos.

Solely service canines are allowed to accompany guests.

18

San Diego Zoo In San Diego, California

Space: 100 acres

Established inside Balboa Park, the multiple-award-winning San Diego Zoo is likely one of the top places to visit in San Diego. It’s operated by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the nonprofit group behind the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in Escondido.

What makes this place so distinctive is that it homes one of many greatest collections of uncommon, weak, and endangered animals on the planet, together with the large panda, clouded leopard, Goliath frog, Tasmanian satan, African penguin, white rhinoceros, and Galapagos tortoise.

17

Dallas Zoo In Dallas, Texas

Space: 106 acres

Three miles south of downtown Dallas, in Marsalis Park, lies the Dallas Zoo. Based in 1888, it’s thought-about Texas’ oldest and largest zoological park. Certainly, it has persistently elevated its animal inhabitants throughout its various habitats through the years, all of the whereas internet hosting varied uncommon and at-risk species, such because the whooping crane.

Among the most noteworthy creatures to look at embrace the Malayan tiger, the Sumatran tiger, and pandas, while an array of environments resembling streams and bushes present an oasis for quite a few creatures — together with varied subspecies of monkeys.

The Dallas Zoo solely closes on Christmas Day.

16

Los Angeles Zoo And Botanical Gardens In Los Angeles, California

Space: 133 acres

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been in enterprise since 1966, fostering varied applications to coach the general public about animal conservation and care and housing greater than 58 endangered species.

Expertise biomes from across the globe — from New World tropics to African grasslands to the Australian outback.

There are lots of academic and thrilling actions on this zoo, resembling feeding giraffes, mingling with flamingos, and studying all in regards to the collective effort that goes into animal care.

Standout species to look at embrace the Abyssinian floor hornbill, the Madagascar radiated tortoise, the Tadjik markhor, the Nigerian dwarf goat, and the laughing Kookaburra.

15

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo In Colorado Springs, Colorado

Space: 140 acres

Unfold throughout acres of lush land at an elevation of 6,714 toes, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a perfect spot to expertise the wonders of the pure world.

There, you’ll be capable of see Asiatic black bears, Kenyan sand boas, East African topped cranes, crested geckos, pink pandas, mountain tapirs, Mexican wolves, and extra.

From attending animal reveals to using the carousel and having fun with beautiful views aboard the Mountaineer Sky Experience, this zoological park, in all probability the best within the nation, affords loads of enjoyable and academic experiences by way of reveals, rides, occasions, and points of interest.

14

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium In Omaha, Nebraska

Space: 160 acres

Visiting Nebraska for the first time? Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is taken into account one of many prime points of interest within the state and is totally value exploring. Established in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo, it’s now house to a wide range of animals, together with uncommon and endangered species.

One in every of its noteworthy reveals, the Desert Dome, affords a glimpse into an actual desert ecosystem below the world’s greatest geodesic dome. Proper beneath that house, you’ll discover the 42,000-square-foot Eugene T. Mahoney Kingdoms of the Evening, the most important nocturnal exhibit on the planet. There, you’ll observe aardvarks, South African springhares, fruit bats, American alligators, and tammar wallabies.

This zoo affords tram and practice rides and plenty of great academic applications for all ages.

13

Smithsonian Nationwide Zoological Park And Conservation Biology Institute In Washington, D.C.

Space: 163 acres

Essentially the most thrilling and surprisingly free things that you can do in D.C. embrace the National Zoological Park, which has been in operation since 1889 and is taken into account one of many oldest and largest zoos in America.

It belongs to the Smithsonian Establishment, the world’s greatest analysis and museum complicated, and as such, it attracts greater than two million worldwide guests yearly.

The zoo’s major objective is to coach the general public on correct animal conservation and supply a convivial expertise for all ages. Reveals embrace Amazonia (barred tiger salamander, inexperienced aracari, roseate spoonbill…), the Asia Path (sloth bear, Asian small-clawed otter, clouded leopard…) and the Small Mammal Home (sand cat, golden lion tamarin, bare mole-rat…).

12

Riverbanks Zoo And Gardens In Columbia, South Carolina

Space: 170 acres

Established in 1974, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden could very properly be South Carolina’s favourite spot for households. The botanical backyard alone stuns with its a number of plant varieties and scenic sections just like the Waterfall Junction, the Asian Backyard, and the Previous Rose Backyard (peak bloom is in April and Could).

As for a few of the animals you may encounter, they embrace birds just like the American flamingo and the toco toucan; pink lionfish and moon jellies; mammals just like the California sea lion, the grizzly bear, and the siamang; and reptiles just like the alligator snapping turtle and the Cayman Island blue iguana.

A go to to the Zoo will play host to an array of untamed adventures — from a diving expedition on a Pacific coral reef to a safari by way of the plains of Africa to an interactive outback encounter with a flock of sociable lorikeets.

11

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo In Cleveland, Ohio

Space: 183 acres

Cleveland, Ohio’s city of rock and roll, is house to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which was initially established at Wade Park in 1882. Its animal inhabitants is unfold throughout varied bio-zones, from The RainForest to the African Savanna, Australian Journey, Wilderness Trek, Waterfowl Lake, and Primate, Cat, and Aquatics.

Notable species embrace Amazon milk frogs, dwarf crocodiles, Fiji banded iguanas, jap black rhinos, dingoes, red-necked wallabies, Allen’s swamp monkeys, and Müller’s gibbons.

10

Kansas Metropolis Zoo & Aquarium In Kansas Metropolis, Missouri

Space: 202 acres

This zoo was first established in 1909 because the Kansas Metropolis Zoological Gardens and solely housed 4 lions, three monkeys, a lynx, a wolf, a coyote, a badger, a fox, an eagle, and some different birds. At this time, the Kansas City Zoo is likely one of the hottest points of interest within the state, primarily due to its unimaginable Orangutan Cover and Helzberg Penguin Plaza.

There are literally thousands of amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles at this family-friendly vacation spot, from African elephants, African topped cranes, and African painted canines to Amazon milk frogs and Amazon tree boas, Asian small-clawed otters, black swans, and bat-eared foxes.

9

Brookfield Zoo Chicago In Brookfield, Illinois

Space: 235 acres

Based in 1934, the Brookfield Zoo is famend for its open-air, unbarred enclosures, which give a nice habitat for the animals. It’s house to over 500 species, from the black rhinoceros to the wombat, the scarlet ibex, the large anteater, the Bactrian camel, the Arabian sand cat, the blue-throated macaw, and the Nigerian dwarf goat.

Brookfield Zoo opened the nation’s first inland dolphinarium in 1961.

Among the unimaginable actions to guide for an additional payment embrace the bottlenose dolphin present on the Seven Seas exhibit; flamingo feeding (April to October), and shark feeding (February to November).

Lively and retired members of the army are welcome without cost.

8

Bronx Zoo In New York Metropolis, New York

Space: 265 acres

The Bronx Zoo, one of many greatest zoos within the USA, is a wondrous attraction located in the Bronx, NYC’s northernmost borough. Open since 1899, this basic city park might be discovered only a few miles away from the long-lasting Yankee Stadium.

As a result of website’s sheer measurement, a wheelchair-accessible shuttle is supplied from April by way of October to assist guests cowl as many reveals as potential in a single day. The Congo Gorilla Forest, as an example, guarantees playful interactions, whereas Large Bears options rescues enjoying in shallow water, and the fascinating Birds of Prey homes condors, vultures, owls, eagles, and falcons.

Guests should carry a date-specific ticket and should arrive inside one hour of the desired entry time.

7

Lion Nation Safari In Palm Seaside County, Florida

Space: 320 acres

Lion Country Safari is a safari and amusement park that was based in 1967 and is house to tons of of animals from six continents, together with lions, chimpanzees, ostriches, and the largest herd of zebras in North America.

This drive-through wildlife park is taken into account the nation’s first cageless zoo, the place animals roam freely and might be noticed for a number of hours in a secure, caged automobile.

South Florida’s Western Palm Seaside County proved to be a perfect location for the park attributable to its year-round tropical local weather, plentiful land, rising inhabitants, and vacationers who go to from all around the world.

The animals are extra lively on cool and wet mornings.

6

Minnesota Zoo In Apple Valley, Minnesota

Space: 485 acres

The Minnesota Zoo was initially referred to as the Minnesota Zoological Backyard when it first opened in 1978. It was one of many first zoos to have organized its animals based mostly on their pure habitats reasonably than by species. You may see creatures native to the state, resembling beavers, otters, raccoons, and salamanders, but in addition Canada lynxes, Dakota skippers, Hog-Islands boas, Madagascar teals, and Hawaiian monk seals.

Among the enjoyable actions that guests of all ages can expertise embrace group in a single day packages, guided excursions with skilled zookeepers, and backstage passes to view behind-the-scenes care, preparation, and feeding.

5

Columbus Zoo And Aquarium In Powell, Ohio

Space: 580 acres

Established in 1927, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is positioned in Delaware County, north of Columbus, the capital city of the Buckeye State. Apart from creatures from all around the world, this large attraction contains an 18-hole golf course, a water park, and an amusement park, thus drawing greater than two million guests yearly.

There are eight totally different areas to discover, resembling Asia Quest, Australia and Islands, Congo Expedition, and Polar Frontier. You’ll see the African leopard, the bonobo, and the jap grey kangaroo, but in addition the Florida manatee, the mandrill, the polar bear, the wolverine, the Caribbean flamingo, and the zebra shark.

4

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park In Bay Lake, Florida

Space: 580 acres

Disney has been incorporating magic into folks’s lives for a few years, and one in every of its must-visit theme parks around the globe is Animal Kingdom, positioned close to Orlando. It’s house to a wide range of animals and crops and options jaw-dropping pure and synthetic shows, interactive dwell reveals, and thrilling rides.

Notable experiences embrace Caring for Giants, a more in-depth have a look at African elephants; Savor the Savanna, which consists of a number of animal encounters and a dinner camp; and Up-Shut with Rhinos, which affords perception into the habits and challenges of the white rhinoceros.

Shopping for your ticket upfront will prevent money and time.

3

Zoo Miami In Miami, Florida

Space: 750 acres

Zoo Miami is Florida’s biggest zoological park and homes hundreds of animals representing Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This subtropical zoo permits guests to intently observe Komodo dragons, tree kangaroos, wooden geese, basilisk lizards, saddle-billed storks, and over 130 endangered species.

Be they mammals, birds, amphibians, or reptiles, these fascinating creatures are categorized by geographical area and stored in replicated areas that intently mirror their pure habitats.

2

The Residing Desert Zoo And Gardens In Palm Desert, California

Space: 1,200 acres

Established in 1970, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens doubles as a zoo and a desert botanical backyard. It’s divided into varied areas housing animals from North America, Africa, and Australia, together with South African cheetahs, addra gazelles, desert bighorn sheep, olive pythons, budgerigars, and pink-backed pelicans.

This large website, which goals to recreate ecosystems just like the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert, additionally affords scenic climbing trails, picnic areas, and varied academic and conservation applications.

1

North Carolina Zoo And Botanical Gardens In Asheboro, North Carolina

Space: 2,800 acres

Asheboro, some of the affordable cities in North Carolina, is house to the North Carolina Zoo, the “world’s largest pure habitat zoo.” Established in 1974, the location contains 5 miles of strolling trails, an accredited botanical backyard, and in a single day applications.

The animals are positioned in varied habitats, resembling Rocky Coast (seabirds and harbor seals), Prairie (bisons and elks), Streamside (bobcats, North American river otters, and cottonmouths), and the Honey Bee Backyard exhibit.

From critically endangered vultures and gorillas in Africa to uncommon native crops and amphibians in our state, the North Carolina Zoo has been a pacesetter in wildlife conservation.

This zoo additionally homes the uncommon American pink wolf.

These are the 20 greatest zoos within the U.S. by acreage, providing guests of all ages an opportunity to look at and work together with acquainted species like giraffes, elephants, chimpanzees, and dolphins, but in addition at-risk creatures just like the pink panda, the clouded leopard, the Goliath frog, and the Tasmanian satan.