The most beautiful zoos

[Arizona Docent]

Interesting that so many people think of historic architecture when they think of beautiful zoos. I do love historic European architecture in cities, but not in zoos. (Most of the large prints in my home are European architecture from places like Halstatt, Paris, Seville). To me a beautiful zoo is one that is completely natural, so natural that you don't feel like you are in a zoo. In light of this I find the most beautiful zoo to be Northwest Trek.

 

[Arizona Docent]

While I give Northwest Trek top spot, runners up include (in no particular order) Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Minnesota Zoo, Le Parc Des Felins, Highlands Wildlife Park, The Living Desert, Langenburg Wildlife Park.

 

[TZDugong]

I agree with quite a few of the zoos already mentioned in the thread; one zoo not talked about so far, that in my opinion is quite beautiful is Bronx.

Bronx has a great combination of a large, park-like atmosphere with appealing outdoor exhibits mixed with some really amazing old buildings for their indoor exhibits.

 

[PossumRoach]

If we are going to bring up views then I'll throw Fuji Safari Park to the ring

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

While I give Northwest Trek top spot, runners up include (in no particular order) Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Minnesota Zoo, Le Parc Des Felins, Highlands Wildlife Park, The Living Desert, Langenburg Wildlife Park.

My parents have been to Arizona sonora desert museum, I haven't though.
It sounds like a really cool place, plus, it has ocelots!

 

[antonmuster]

...as far as enclosure design goes, imo still unmatched:

 

[Arizona Docent]

@antonmuster failed to mention the zoo that the photos he posted are from. It's Zoo Zurich.

 

[antonmuster]

@antonmuster failed to mention the zoo that the photos he posted are from. It's Zoo Zurich.

...a click on any image solves the mystery

 

[imaginarius]

Zurich looks pretty breathtaking.

 

[pendraig_milnerae]

I think there are a few that have to be in top positions for different reasons. Bristol Zoo maintains its classical zoological gardens theming, with original architecture from its early history still very much in use (and unlike ZSL they’re not tempted to close as much as possible) and plenty of temperate gardens on a small site that still has space for an interesting and diverse collection, focusing on smaller animals like primates and birds rather than an abc collection, which is something city zoos should do more often due to the limited space available.
In these cases one can speak only from personal experience, and since I have been to very few modern heavily themed zoos, I’m quite fond of countryside zoos that have a naturalistic feel and don’t lift you out of your real life setting. In this category the one that inevitably takes the cake is Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve. It’s set in around 600 acres of fields, temperate scrubland and plenty of the woodland commonly found in the wields of Sussex and Kent, as well as featuring views that allow you to look across Romney Marsh all the way to the cliffs of Fairlight.