Brayden Delashmutt
Well-Known Member
I personally have always been a fan of older/city style zoos, so I was wondering which city zoos you all enjoyed most!
Best City Zoo?
- Thread starter Brayden Delashmutt
- Start date
Bronx for sure. The old grand classic mother of zoos. Brookfield gave off a similar vibe.
San Antonio Zoo and Central Park Zoo are right smack in the center of their cities.
Denver, Dallas, and Henry Doorly are also zoos with views of their cities. Dallas, being right off I-35 is less so, but Denver and Henry Doorly are both accessible (by walking) to Denver and Omaha’s downtown cores.
Perhaps the greatest downtown city zoo I’ve ever visited was Antwerp. Frankfurt, Rotterdam, Amsterdam…were also each walkable from the main train station and very nice. I’d say 90% of European and 99% of Asian Zoos I’ve visited were easily accessible via short walk from a rail station (without requiring a bus transfer). Even Tama Zoo and Seoul Grand Park (the Asian 1% I visited that weren’t in the city “core”) I reached directly on the city rail systems.
San Antonio Zoo and Central Park Zoo are right smack in the center of their cities.
Denver, Dallas, and Henry Doorly are also zoos with views of their cities. Dallas, being right off I-35 is less so, but Denver and Henry Doorly are both accessible (by walking) to Denver and Omaha’s downtown cores.
Perhaps the greatest downtown city zoo I’ve ever visited was Antwerp. Frankfurt, Rotterdam, Amsterdam…were also each walkable from the main train station and very nice. I’d say 90% of European and 99% of Asian Zoos I’ve visited were easily accessible via short walk from a rail station (without requiring a bus transfer). Even Tama Zoo and Seoul Grand Park (the Asian 1% I visited that weren’t in the city “core”) I reached directly on the city rail systems.
The vast majority of Europe's major zoos are city zoos, with the odd exception (Pairi, Beauval, Dvur, Walsrode, Cabarceno springing to mind) so this question with regards to Europe is essentially asking for the best zoo in Europe.
I'd also argue that most of the US's top zoos are located in major cities but maybe I am mistaken?
I'd also argue that most of the US's top zoos are located in major cities but maybe I am mistaken?
Yeah, this is why I asked for clarification. By a loose standard, the vast majority of zoos can be considered city zoos.
As always I can use Chicago as my main example -- Lincoln Park Zoo is within the city limits, and Lincoln Park is culturally a major part of the city in general. While Brookfield Zoo is known as the Chicago Zoological Society and ostensibly part of the city, it's well outside city limits of what is classically considered Chicago from a tourist/cultural perspective.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Berlin is the obvious one to me - both, although the Zoo is closer to the city centre. Bristol was also a great city zoo in its later years, but of course has since closed.
I've heard good things about Vienna and Prague as well - the former of which I'll see myself this summer.
I've heard good things about Vienna and Prague as well - the former of which I'll see myself this summer.
As a city state Singapore zoo (and the whole Mandai) does count as a city zoo 
Corbett477
Well-Known Member
The Bronx Zoo for me.
Based on the places I have visited on the basis of proximity the the urban center and quality of the zoo overall, my picks would be Bronx, Central Park, Lincoln Park, Houston, and Queens . I'll add these aquariums to the list also: Shedd, Newport, New York, Florida, and even Long Island. Although I haven't visited the following places personally, Taronga, Indianapolis, Oakland, and the Houston Downtown Aquarium also have nice views of their cities. Racine (haven't visited) is right on Lake Michigan and even has its own beach. I'm also willing to add Buffalo (park and suburban views, old-style zoo), Brookfield (old-style zoo, park-like grounds), Cincinati (park-like grounds, old-style vibe), Cleveland (huge park-like grounds), St. Louis (huge park-like grounds in huge city park), and Bird Kingdom (right in downtown Niagara Falls, Canada, right across the street from where you enter Canada from the US). I know I used "park-like grounds" a lot. What I mean by that is expansive well planted grounds and certain decorative features like fountains and art.
DerrickOlley
New Member
I also think the Bronx is the best zoo in the world! Not only because of the easily accessible, but because of the variety of animals from all over the world!
@DerrickOlley I agree with you. The Bronx Zoo is my “home” zoo. My dad was raised in the Bronx and even though I left New York years ago…when I close my eyes and think “zoo,” I see The Bronx.
Nothing new to the table but for me it was Bronx ever since I first went there when I was nine years old and has been for the longest time. But now it shares the number one spot with Berlin and Prague as well.
Again, a description of pretty much every single European zoo
.Not saying Bronx isn't up there but unilaterally proclaiming it the world's best is pushing it a bit, don't you think?
DerrickOlley
New Member
Agree! I liked this zoo)))Again, a description of pretty much every single European zoo
Not saying Bronx isn't up there but unilaterally proclaiming it the world's best is pushing it a bit, don't you think?
Corbett477
Well-Known Member
Agree. It's a shame that they shut down the World of Darkness and their Skyfari though. I was just a kid when I last experienced them, but those are the most vivid memories of the zoo for me.
I think the Bronx Zoo is a wonderful city zoo with a very nice old vibe and full of history without becoming outdated; but imo no match in comparison to the old city (centre) zoos in Europe, with beautiful examples in Vienna (Schonbrunn), Antwerp, Amsterdam (Artis), Budapest and Berlin (Zoo ánd Tierpark).
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I haven't visited any of the truly great city zoos of the world (the Berlins and Bronx, for example), but one very special city zoo that I have visited is Antwerp.
It is a small zoo, but filled with gorgeously extravagant historic buildings, and packed with rare animals. Several new enclosures are of a fairly high standard too, especially the wondrous Buffalo Aviary in which several enormous birds (such as vultures, storks and hornbills) fly above Cape Buffalo in the location of the historic 19th Century Rhino stables. The only bad enclosures are the Asian Elephant enclosure (far too small) and the small primate habitats (brilliant indoors, but with no outdoor access), and there is a lot that is truly great. For its history, beauty and rare species, Antwerp should be high on any zoo-goers' bucket list, I believe.
It is a small zoo, but filled with gorgeously extravagant historic buildings, and packed with rare animals. Several new enclosures are of a fairly high standard too, especially the wondrous Buffalo Aviary in which several enormous birds (such as vultures, storks and hornbills) fly above Cape Buffalo in the location of the historic 19th Century Rhino stables. The only bad enclosures are the Asian Elephant enclosure (far too small) and the small primate habitats (brilliant indoors, but with no outdoor access), and there is a lot that is truly great. For its history, beauty and rare species, Antwerp should be high on any zoo-goers' bucket list, I believe.
