Best Zoo Entry Area

[Otter Lord]

They are common entrance exhibits at zoos throughout the United States - far too common. It is such a cliche' that it is one of my pet peeves.

Cliche? More like using a traditional paradigm that many visitors expect to see. The San Diego Zoo, which doesn't have a very impressive front entrance, buys into this really well, and their flamingo lagoon delivered very well in creating a welcoming atmosphere once inside the gates.

Also, It's also not just flamingos, but waterfowl and sea lions/seals seem to be off-shoots of that paradigm.

If we are talking about entrances, I feel like we should clarify what the entrance is. There is always a gate that people go through with an archway, roof structure, tunnel. Then there is the entrance before the gate, the parking lot and even the drive to the zoo can all be considered parts of the zoo's entrance as they are close events within the sequence of the zoo entrance. Finally, after the gate, there is often the assortment of gift shops, restaurants, and an entrance exhibit. I find it interesting that some zoos go with the flamingo paradigm but others invest in something more popular like lions or giraffes.

Anyone been to Saint Louis recently, They got a really good entrance scheme going for them. They have ample parking with a bridge that leads into a spectacular entrance. Best part is that its free too.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

I really like the new plaza in Columbus.

This is the main plaza:

...which gives way to this village with a globe fountain show, guest service / stroller and wheelchair rentals, and coffee and food stands:

Turning left at the globe takes you to Animal Encounters Village, Jungle Jack's Landing, and Zoombezi Bay, and going straight takes you here, to get into the zoo itself:

 

[Coquinguy]

Great Zoo entries

Whilst I have never travelled to the United States, I can nominate a few outstanding zoo entrances from my travels around Australia, Asia and Europe.
Top pick goes to Taronga Zoo, Sydney Australia. The entry precinct opened last year on the zoo's 95th birthday. A brand-new multi-level carpark, clad with poles to simulate tree trunks cascades down through gardens across a grassed over-flow carpark.
Passing through a new bus terminal and zoo members office (built into the restored heritage bus stop buildings) and Aboriginal sculpture and art-work, the portal of the giant, original entry building sucks visitors through. This building is itself an icon of Sydney, adorned with ornate animal sculptures and topped by a green copper dome. It was there when the zoo opened in 1916 and for many years served as the actual entry. Now fully renovated, this building sets the scene. Inside is a giant free area. With a large open plaza and modern, timber buildings, its a seamless blend of old and new.
There are ample toilets available, lots of seating beneath gigantic fig trees and a low sanstone wall looking out over native waterfowl ponds and the Australian rainforest exhibits beyond. Childrens play areas, retail shops (with elevated views into the sloping tree roo exhibit) and a cafe and seating area add to the free precinct.
This area also includes the terminus for the sky-safari or cablecar, and ticket sales and an info counter. These buildings include shade structures for queing.
Beyond this area, a wide set of stairs or long winding timber boardwalk descend the slope beneath yet another towering fig-tree, passing a gorgeous exhibit for tree kangaroos before reaching the ticketing point....a great start to the zoo for paying guests, and a nice spot for locals to grb a coffee and enjoy some animals for free.
My other nomination for a great zoo entry is for the Singapore Zoo. Set amidst lush rainforest gardens, ponds and animal sculptures, this beautiful area has everything a visitor needs in order to orientate themselves for the journey ahead. Free-ranging lemurs and a breathtaking boardwalk over asian wildlife and islands populated with primates and asian gharials only adds to the welcome.
I think that what makes a great entry is more than just ease of buying a ticket. its about how easy it is to orientate yourself and find the other services you need...to decompress and start your journey. Glimpses of wildlife also help. An interesting trend, at least here in Australia, appears to be the incorporation of these 'free-entry'areas for the wider public. It offers zoos a chance to attract extra visitors, and new revenue streams (from fod and beverage purchases, retail spend etc), other than your typical paying zoo guest.