Best State for Zoos

What is the Best State for Zoos

  • Total voters
    81
Do you want to melt in 100+ degree weather or get a cool Ocean breeze at the zoo? That's where I think the real decisions lies.
 
Because im out and about so much,i only came across this thread late in the day so apologies.Ive done big zoo tours on all the states that were voted for and i think i would JUST go for California.One or two further misc. points...someone called Folsom City Zoo a roadside menagerie,well it isnt great but it certainly does not deserve that description and it has a very good Black Bear exhibit actually.As for Dallas Zoo being named Texas #1,well its obviously pretty good but a team of five enthusiasts/professionals thought Houston to be the best in Texas on a big tour this year.At the end of the day nothing in Texas can compete with San Diego [the zoo,not the wild animal park,i refuse to give it its horrible new name] and although some dont think of aquariums as zoos California wins there too[tho i absolutely adore Dallas World Aquarium]
 
Although the poll is closed, I would say that Ohio is the best state for zoos. The reason being is that all 5 zoos in that state have something unique and special for all zoo fans. Columbus (my #1 favorite zoo) is just all around naturalistic and excellent, Cleveland has the Rainforest, Cincy has a huge collection of cats and 3 rhino species (favorite animal), Toledo has the Hippoquarium, and Akron, despite being small, is decent in quality and seems to have a neat collection for its size. Note that I didn't visit any of these zoos except for Columbus; this is just from information and pictures I have seen.
 
I have just returned from a week visiting five zoos in central Texas, including two that were firsts for me: Caldwell Zoo and Cameron Park Zoo. Both of these are excellent and Caldwell is now one of my new favorites. Of course the three I had been to before are stellar as well (Dallas, Fort Worth, Fossil Rim). I am now more convinced than ever that Texas is the undisputed best state for zoos (if we exclude aquariums). I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have not personally visited all of the major zoos of Texas, it will be hard for me to take your opinion seriously.
 
Arizona Docent said:
I have just returned from a week visiting five zoos in central Texas, including two that were firsts for me: Caldwell Zoo and Cameron Park Zoo. Both of these are excellent and Caldwell is now one of my new favorites. Of course the three I had been to before are stellar as well (Dallas, Fort Worth, Fossil Rim). I am now more convinced than ever that Texas is the undisputed best state for zoos (if we exclude aquariums). I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have not personally visited all of the major zoos of Texas, it will be hard for me to take your opinion seriously.
Click to expand...

Haha. Brilliant.
 
Well ive been to them all bar El Paso and because i dont rule aquariums out[they are zoos with water] i would still just about plump for California.Incidentally Fossil Rim is equal to Cleres in France as my most disappointing zoo visit ever..all those common species,i thought it was about endangered taxa! Mind you i dont really like safari parks.
 
Since someone brought this thread back up, I thought I would finally chime in with my answer. Call me a homer, but I am going Texas here. Many people forget about a lot of the Texas animal places that have never been brought up on here, while bringing up a lot of the small and out of the way California places.

Here is my Texas list in some order of ranking

AZA zoos
Dallas
Gladys Porter
Cameron Park
Caldwell
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio
Ellen Trout
Moody Gardens Rainforest (not seen or ranked)
El Pasa (not seen or ranked)

Non-AZA Zoos
Abilene Zoo
Austin Zoo
Capital of Texas Zoo
Frank Buck Zoo
Texas Zoo
Amarillo Zoo (not seen)

Safari Parks
Fossil Rim
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Bayou Safari

Aquaria
Dallas World Aquarium
Moody Gardens Aquarium
Sea World San Antonio (not seen)
Texas State Aquarium
Downtown Aquarium Houston
Dallas Children's Aquarium
SeaLife Grapevine
Kemah Aquarium (shouldn't really be counted)
 
Since someone brought this thread back up, I thought I would finally chime in with my answer. Call me a homer, but I am going Texas here. Many people forget about a lot of the Texas animal places that have never been brought up on here, while bringing up a lot of the small and out of the way California places.

Here is my Texas list in some order of ranking

AZA zoos
Dallas
Gladys Porter
Cameron Park
Caldwell
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio
Ellen Trout
Moody Gardens Rainforest (not seen or ranked)
El Pasa (not seen or ranked)

Non-AZA Zoos
Abilene Zoo
Austin Zoo
Capital of Texas Zoo
Frank Buck Zoo
Texas Zoo
Amarillo Zoo (not seen)

Safari Parks
Fossil Rim
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Bayou Safari

Aquaria
Dallas World Aquarium
Moody Gardens Aquarium
Sea World San Antonio (not seen)
Texas State Aquarium
Downtown Aquarium Houston
Dallas Children's Aquarium
SeaLife Grapevine
Kemah Aquarium (shouldn't really be counted)
 
Well... Um...
There are other reasons.
Ummm....

Ooh, Apes. 8 species of apes is enough.
 
Arizona Docent said:
GREAT IDEA FOR A POLL!

Boy, I had a really tough time deciding between Texas and Florida. I finally went with Texas, because I am not as much a fan of the animal theme parks of Florida and because Texas has so many excellent new exhibits that opened in 2010 - Dallas Zoo (Giants Of The Savannah), Fort Worth Zoo (Museum Of Living Art), El Paso Zoo (African Savannah), Houston Zoo (African Forest), San Antonio Zoo (Africa Alive). Fossil Rim is also great. Throw in the rare hoofstock of Gladys Porter Zoo and you have an unbeatable statewide assembly. (They even have a Sea World for you marine mammal fans).
Click to expand...


I agree with so much of this that I just quoted it.
Some of these states have some excellent zoos, but most are not that great. California is an example of this. There are the 2 San Diego parks, plus Oakland and 1 or 2 others, but the majority of the zoos in that state (from what I have read and seen) are average or below average. I think my second choice would be Florida, because a lot of the exhibits (even at the theme parks) are excellent, and there are many nice zoos with good collections to be seen.
 
I voted for ohio because im going to be honest but most of the zoos ive seen are in ohio.All the zoos are great for families Akron zoo is probably the best little zoo in the country. Probably had the best exhibit in the nation with Jellies Rhytum in the Blue. Now currently building the Biggest exhibit in the zoos history Grizzly Ridge which will exhibit the rare and critically endangered Red Wolf. You have too of the top zoos in the nation if not in the world with both Cincinnati zoo & Botanical Gardens & Columbus zoo and Aqaurium. Cincinnati with there rare collection of species and named sexiest zoo in america and columbus with Zoombezi bay waterpark and Safari golf course. And both zoos working on there future project exhibit AFRICA!. Toledo zoo is a up and coming zoo with a great collection of animals. Hippoquarium is probably in the votes for best exhibit in the nation. The wilds is a outstanding safari park where you can see endangered animals up close and personal. See the brand new African Elephant Crossing at the Cleveland Metroparks zoo. See these amazing Mammals in there naturally looking habitat exhibit. And even if your in Dayton or Port Clinton stop on by the african safari wildlife park and feed Giraffes and other hoofstock from your car and visit the state of the art Children's Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to see a nice collection of North american animals. It seems like to me from north to south west to east no matter where you are in ohio there's a zoo in the neighborhood. That's why i picked the state of ohio.
 
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