USA Today 10 Best 2020

[natel12]

As a contrast, the 4 halls of tanks are part of why I love Shedd so much and why I have voted for it. For me the collection is not just great, but can hardly be compared; it is a taste of what may well be the continent's largest species collection, with a wide taxonomic and geographic range of native and exotic freshwater fish, marine fish, dozens of herps, and invertebrates. So many aquariums focus on making pretty displays of just popular or colorful fish that Shedd's decision to keep and utilize its historic gallery displays feels like a blessing to me. I can agree that many of the tanks look dull and uninspiring, but for me the collection is more than enough and I like that there's no gaudy or overplayed attempt at beautifying them. It's an older style of exhibition, but one that I think is increasingly undervalued. Of course, more immersive exhibits are also essential and ideal I think - fortunately, Shedd shines here too with Wild Reef and Amazon Rising.

I also voted for Saint Louis Zoo, as well as Congo Gorilla Forest (which I have yet to see, but from what I've read and heard it still holds up as an exhibit masterpiece two decades after opening).

I visited the Bronx zoo last March, and it was cold that weekend so there weren’t any animals out on the Congo exhibit. While looking at the gorilla exhibit I still had a hard time telling where the exhibit began and ended and there was hardly any vegetation growing in the exhibit at that point.

 

[NSU42]

As a contrast, the 4 halls of tanks are part of why I love Shedd so much and why I have voted for it. For me the collection is not just great, but can hardly be compared; it is a taste of what may well be the continent's largest species collection, with a wide taxonomic and geographic range of native and exotic freshwater fish, marine fish, dozens of herps, and invertebrates. So many aquariums focus on making pretty displays of just popular or colorful fish that Shedd's decision to keep and utilize its historic gallery displays feels like a blessing to me. I can agree that many of the tanks look dull and uninspiring, but for me the collection is more than enough and I like that there's no gaudy or overplayed attempt at beautifying them. It's an older style of exhibition, but one that I think is increasingly undervalued. Of course, more immersive exhibits are also essential and ideal I think - fortunately, Shedd shines here too with Wild Reef and Amazon Rising.

Oh, I 100% understand this viewpoint and completely agree the number of species held and on display is very impressive. I can not argue with that. I only said it was its "biggest flaw" in my mind. Maybe that was the wrong wording because I do not view it as a major one, just that it is a flaw. Honestly though, saying it's the "biggest" isn't saying much when it comes to Shedd as it does not have many of them. I would agree with you that they do the other end of the spectrum really well too. All I'm saying is that if there is a minus for Shedd the rows of barren tanks is it for me. I much prefer looking at and observing the long row of tanks at the Aquarium in the Toledo Zoo than the ones at Shedd when not taking into account the inhabitants.

 

[birdsandbats]

Oh, I 100% understand this viewpoint and completely agree the number of species held and on display is very impressive. I can not argue with that. I only said it was its "biggest flaw" in my mind. Maybe that was the wrong wording because I do not view it as a major one, just that it is a flaw. Honestly though, saying it's the "biggest" isn't saying much when it comes to Shedd as it does not have many of them. I would agree with you that they do the other end of the spectrum really well too. All I'm saying is that if there is a minus for Shedd the rows of barren tanks is it for me. I much prefer looking at and observing the long row of tanks at the Aquarium in the Toledo Zoo than the ones at Shedd when not taking into account the inhabitants.

I don't think the aquariums at Toledo look any more or less nice than the tanks at Shedd.

 

[NSU42]

I don't think the aquariums at Toledo look any more or less nice than the tanks at Shedd.

I just remember the tanks in those halls at Shedd as striking me as pretty sterile the last time I was there and I enjoyed the ones at Toledo. We will have to agree to disagree here.

 

[Julio C Castro]

It looks like the polls are done and counted up, here are the results for the Best Aquariums, Best Safari Parks, Best Zoo, and Best Zoo Exhibit.

Best Aquarium Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Safari Park Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Zoo Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Zoo Exhibit Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

My main vote that I was truly happy to see come through was the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, it truly brings me joy every visit I have gone no matter what and it’s one of the places I consider my home away from home I hope your favorites made it through as well!

 

[birdsandbats]

It looks like the polls are done and counted up, here are the results for the Best Aquariums, Best Safari Parks, Best Zoo, and Best Zoo Exhibit.

Best Aquarium Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Safari Park Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Zoo Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

Best Zoo Exhibit Winners (2020) | USA TODAY 10Best

My main vote that I was truly happy to see come through was the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, it truly brings me joy every visit I have gone no matter what and it’s one of the places I consider my home away from home I hope your favorites made it through as well!

I don't know much about Asian Highlands, but the other three picks are ridiculous.

 

[Julio C Castro]

I don't know much about Asian Highlands, but the other three picks are ridiculous.

The ones that came out as surprising for top winners would be for Best Aquarium and Best Zoo. I kind of understand why Forth Worth might’ve had the upper hand, they had more consistent promotion for this contest on social media based on what I saw. The poll I agree with most of the winners would be Best Exhibit, although I haven’t seen any of these personally. But based on the photos/videos and firsthand accounts from fellow member on some of the exhibits, I am further thrilled to see them one day.