Best USA Zoos?

Brayden Delashmutt

Brayden Delashmutt

Well-Known Member
I know this is a topic discussed a lot on here, but as I am forming a bucket list of zoos I'd like to visit in the near future, does anyone know of full list of best USA zoos on the ZooChat forums? Thanks!
 
As Zooplantman says, there is no real best. There's a general agreement on the top couple of places, but no one agrees on which of those is the best (this is not an invitation to rehash that argument again!). People value different things when they go to zoos, even among species held and the way exhibits are made.
 
Brayden Delashmutt said:
I know this is a topic discussed a lot on here, but as I am forming a bucket list of zoos I'd like to visit in the near future, does anyone know of full list of best USA zoos on the ZooChat forums? Thanks!
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Some zoochatters rank based on collection - the most species, overall balance, rarities. Some rank based on exhibit design - immersion, enrichment, scale, education. Additional factors sometimes include in-situ conservation, historic buildings or welfare concerning specific animals. Rarely here but often elsewhere, the total cost of a trip, entertainment options or child-friendly options are factored in as well.

Bronx, San Diego, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and St. Louis are almost universally in the top five I see here, and a lot of that is because each of these facilities has large collections, immersive exhibits, and a lot to do. The rankings can fluctuate significantly more otherwise based on those factors, although I would say usually Colombus or Cincinnati usually rank high in the top ten as well but not as often both. I'm only describing others' rankings - I have not been to any of these facilities.

Basically, depending what factors interest you more can make a big difference.
 
Zooplantman said:
Define what "best" means to you.
There are no standards commonly agreed upon to define "best"... it is a matter of personal taste and priority.
What is your definition?
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To me, the best sort of zoo would be one that balances a large animal collection and good exhibits. Thats just my opi
birdsandbats said:
I think that Shedd vastly deserves being among the top spots, as well.
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Georgia Aquarium as well, I've heard.
 
Like others have said there is no objective "best" zoo, but I'd say there are eight quintessential American collections that every zoo nerd should visit in his or her lifetime: San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Omaha, Bronx, Saint Louis, Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Your best bet, if you can afford it, is to order and read this book: America's Top 100 Zoos & Aquariums (izes.co.uk)
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pachyderm pro said:
Like others have said there is no objective "best" zoo, but I'd say there are eight quintessential American collections that every zoo nerd should visit in his or her lifetime: San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Omaha, Bronx, Saint Louis, Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Thanks! Hope to visit St Louis soon
 
Truthfully, if you would like to see the best that US Zoos have to offer, I'd look towards a lot of the smaller, more unique collections. Sure, a full day spent at the Bronx or San Diego Zoos can be incredible, but it can also be very overwhelming- and difficult to see everything in one visit. While I'm not suggesting going out of your way to visit tiny, obscure institutions, I would suggest looking for many of the medium-sized zoos that have unique collections or exhibitry. As to which I'd recommend, it depends on what your interests are. If you're favorite group of animals in primates, I'd give one list of suggestions, but if you're favorite group is birds, I'd give a very different list of suggestions. However, by saying this I am certainly not trying to diminish those huge zoos- many of which I'd love to visit myself one day, I'm just saying my bucket list also contains plenty of smaller institutions as well, which can often be just as, if not more, enjoyable than the mega-zoos.
 
Neil chace said:
Truthfully, if you would like to see the best that US Zoos have to offer, I'd look towards a lot of the smaller, more unique collections. Sure, a full day spent at the Bronx or San Diego Zoos can be incredible, but it can also be very overwhelming- and difficult to see everything in one visit. While I'm not suggesting going out of your way to visit tiny, obscure institutions, I would suggest looking for many of the medium-sized zoos that have unique collections or exhibitry. As to which I'd recommend, it depends on what your interests are. If you're favorite group of animals in primates, I'd give one list of suggestions, but if you're favorite group is birds, I'd give a very different list of suggestions. However, by saying this I am certainly not trying to diminish those huge zoos- many of which I'd love to visit myself one day, I'm just saying my bucket list also contains plenty of smaller institutions as well, which can often be just as, if not more, enjoyable than the mega-zoos.
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Thanks! Any ideas on zoos with small carnivorans?
 
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