10 zoos in 10 days

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Daphne

Well-Known Member
This summer I will be going on vacation. I am going to attempt to visit the zoos in the north east part of the U.S I will only have 10 days
National zoo
Bronx Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
Baltimore Zoo
Turtle back Zoo
Brandywine Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
Beardsley Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo

York’s animal kingdom

Is this too much in just that limited time . If not do you think there would be time to add one ?if not enough time which one should be taken off ?
 
I visited 81 zoos in less than a month during the summer of 2015 and you could easily double-up with several of these places in order to see more zoos and aquariums. Bronx Zoo takes two days, National Zoo and Philadelphia Zoo are fairly full one-day zoos, and the rest can each be seen in a few hours. For example, doing New England Aquarium and Franklin Park Zoo on the same day isn't difficult at all. Visiting the National Aquarium in Baltimore and Maryland Zoo on the same day is another common event for many zoo enthusiasts.
 
If you haven't done this kind of trip before, I would make sure the schedule is quite flexible. I find that too many zoo days in a row makes me stop enjoying them, so I try to have a balance. As a general rule of thumb I don't like to do more than three consecutive zoo days, and depending on the other things on offer in the city/region/country I would typically allot between 25 to 50% of my time to non-zoo related activities. Half-day zoos can be a good way to find a balance here. I also don't count travel time as non-zoo.

I know a lot of members are quite happy to bang out seven zoos in seven days, but I would just caution that it would be a real pity to spoil Bronx Zoo by putting it near the end of the trip and having burned out to some extent.
 
Opportunities are there to change it up too. Maybe drop Brandywine and add Stone Zoo while in Boston. I think an early start at Roger Williams Zoo could see you possibly visiting Southwick’s Zoo later in the day. A day spent traveling to/from and visiting Turtleback Zoo could also be spent in NYC where Central Park Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History (whose dioramas are an absolute must see) are an easy pair, or if you are not keen on the AMNH, public transit makes adding the Prospect Park Zoo and maybe even the Queens Zoo doable. It’s of course your trip and hope you have blast.
 
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FunkyGibbon said:
If you haven't done this kind of trip before, I would make sure the schedule is quite flexible. I find that too many zoo days in a row makes me stop enjoying them, so I try to have a balance. As a general rule of thumb I don't like to do more than three consecutive zoo days, and depending on the other things on offer in the city/region/country I would typically allot between 25 to 50% of my time to non-zoo related activities. Half-day zoos can be a good way to find a balance here. I also don't count travel time as non-zoo.

I know a lot of members are quite happy to bang out seven zoos in seven days, but I would just caution that it would be a real pity to spoil Bronx Zoo by putting it near the end of the trip and having burned out to some extent.
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Agree with this wholeheartedly.

Your problem is that you have one world-class zoo, two highly reputed ones, a couple of mid-tiers and a few minor places. By packing them all into one 10-day stretch you risk drowning out the truly great with the ordinary.

My suggestion would be to pick five or so, but assuming you’re set on doing all ten, you need to carefully consider your route. It’s annoying that New York is halfway-along, because Bronx is the most important one to get right.
 
I am not 100% sold on this exact itinerary. I will be traveling by myself. I don’t normally try to do everything possible at the zoo either . I do see all the animals and take lots of pictures. I do stop at the gift shop . Last year over a long weekend I visited the Kansas City zoo Henry Doorly zoo and the red river zoo . I did enjoy it quite a bit . Of course the Henry Doorly Zoo was the best on that trip . I think i only spent about 4 and a half hours at that one. I do normally do a few things in whatever town I am at after my zoo visit . Assuming I do get to go the national zoo will be my first stop . Since I am by myself it doesn’t take as long to go through most zoos . I want to see as much as possible as I don’t know when I will get the opportunity again. Also eventually I do want to head out west but that will require more planning .
 
Daphne said:
I am not 100% sold on this exact itinerary. I will be traveling by myself. I don’t normally try to do everything possible at the zoo either . I do see all the animals and take lots of pictures. I do stop at the gift shop . Last year over a long weekend I visited the Kansas City zoo Henry Doorly zoo and the red river zoo . I did enjoy it quite a bit . Of course the Henry Doorly Zoo was the best on that trip . I think i only spent about 4 and a half hours at that one. I do normally do a few things in whatever town I am at after my zoo visit . Assuming I do get to go the national zoo will be my first stop . Since I am by myself it doesn’t take as long to go through most zoos . I want to see as much as possible as I don’t know when I will get the opportunity again. Also eventually I do want to head out west but that will require more planning .
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I guess the big, important question is whether you have been to any of these cities before?

Washington and New York are both iconic global cities with far more to them than just their zoos (which are good and great, respectively). I haven’t been to Philadelphia or Boston yet, but they are also major international cities in their own right.

Maybe you could plan your ten days to have 2-3 days in each city. Nearly all of your shortlisted zoos are within an hour’s drive of one of these cities, so you’ve still got the option of fitting in more zoos if a certain city isn’t capturing your attention. If you’re finding the major city zoos are enough on their own, then you can take more time to explore.

It would be a shame to pass through DC without dipping into the Smithsonian museums or paying your respects to Presidents Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt around the Tidal Basin. The American Museum of Natural History in New York, as mentioned, is unmissable for nature enthusiasts and an aimless wander through Central Park is one of the truly great urban experiences anywhere in the world. And yes, that last one just might involve an hour in the zoo. :)
 
i chose these zoos because based on what I have read (in these forums and elsewhere) they seem to be the best or among the best in those particular states . My goal is to eventually visit a zoo or the closest thing they have, in every state. If for some reason I can’t go in that direction. (Bad weather etc.. ) my 2nd choice would be to wear from where I live .
Little Rock ,Dallas , Oklahoma City Sedgwick county zoo . Denver .
 
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