List and Rank The North American Zoos You Have Visited!

@ DeydraOZ - You have really thrown me for a loop by putting Albuquerque number one. I was there exactly one month ago, spent one and a half days at the zoo, and IMO it may the worst major large city zoo in the country. (Of course there are tons of small, roadside zoos that are worse. I am talking about big city zoos only.)

Everyone has different reasons for liking zoos and I certainly am NOT discounting your opinion. I am just curious if you could give a brief explanation of why you liked it (maybe I was missing something).
 
Well, I suppose I could rank it lower for lack of green stuff in exhibits. But all of my visits were in the winter. A friend of mine visited during the spring and there was a bit more green stuff.

I thought they had a bit of diversity in species with mammals and birds (no idea about reptiles.) And they do have a few animals that I really appreciate. One of the biggest being the scavenger aviary that has some vultures, white-necked ravens and a few other birds. The Australia area is also neat with the wombats (I want to go back and see the other additions, and eventually the devils) They have a number of birds that I haven't seen anywhere else too.

Their cat exhibits could use a HUGE makeover though.

The list is a rough estimate on ranking. If I had a rubric I may be able to be more accurate.
 
Revision:

1. San Diego 9.2
2. Henry Doorly 9.0
3. Bronx 8.9
4. SD Safari Park 8.2
5. Miami 7.6
6. Columbus 7.6
7. Kansas City 7.0
8. National Zoo 7.0
9. Phoenix 7.0
10. Philadelphia 6.9
11. Virginia Zoo 6.7
12. Maryland Zoo 6.6
13. Lincoln Park 6.5
14. LA Zoo 6.5
15. Central Park 6.4
16. World Wildlife 6.3
17. Pittsburgh 6.1
18. Out of Africa 5.0
19. Salisbury 4.2
20. Orange County 4.2
21. Brandywine 4.0

Aquariums:

1. Baltimore
2. Shedd
3. Sea World San Diego
4. Adventure Aquarium
5. Aquarium of the Pacific
6. Maui Ocean Center
7. Virginia Aquarium
 
@mweb08: I like the look of your list as it is extremely similar to mine in terms of the order of the zoos. I've been to 16 out of the top 17 zoos on your list and now that you've extensively reviewed Virginia I really do need to visit that zoo as it sounds much improved with the addition of Trail of the Tiger.
 
1 Memphis (2011)
2 Bronx (1999)
3 NC Zoo (2007)
4 Knoxville (2006)
5 Audubon (2009)
6 Nashville (2008)
7 Birmingham (2011)
8 Zoo Atlanta (1997)
9 Chattanooga (2009) (small but very nice)
10 Baton Rouge (2008)
11 Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (1999) (I know it gets so much hype from the little zoo that could but its basically a roadside attraction on steroids)

Aquarium

1 Georgia Aquarium
2 Chattanooga Aquarium
3 Ripleys Aquarium
 
I have two questions about your list @tschandler71.
1.Why is Bronx below Memphis? I've never been to either, but I'd always heard Bronx was around 2nd best in the U.S.
2.Why is Zoo Atlanta so low? I thought they were a pretty decent zoo.
 
1. Catskill Game Farm(closed)(1989-2002)
2. Bronx Zoo(1996,1998, 2005)
3. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center(2002)
4. Dallas Zoo(2002)
5. Front Worth Zoo(2002)
6. Houston Zoo(2002)
7. Franklin Park Zoo(2006)
8. Central Park Zoo(2011)
9. Utica Zoo(1994-1996, 2001)
10. Adirondack Animal Land(1996-1999, 2011)
11. Lake George Zoo(closed)(1998)
12. Flag Acre Zoo(closed)(1997)

There are far better zoos an the Catskill Game Farm but was my hometown zoo growing up for me it's number. The Lake George Zoo and Flag Acre Zoo were roadside zoos the were in very small cages.
 
1. San Diego Zoo (2010 - did not visit Wild Animal Park)
2. Cincinnati Zoo (2011)
3. Zoo Atlanta (2012)
4. Montgomery Zoo (2011)
5. Louisville Zoo (2011)
6. Lowry Park Zoo-Tampa (2010)
7. Riverbanks Zoo-Columbia (2012)
8. Birmingham Zoo (2011)
9. Knoxville Zoo (2011)

I have also visited Disney's Animal Kingdom (2009) and Busch Gardens-Tampa (2010), but I chose not to rank them with the zoos above. Of the two, I prefer Animal Kingdom. I only aquarium I have visited is the Georgia Aquarium (2011).

In addition, I have visited several zoos in the past that I don't remember well enough to rank. These include the National Zoo (mid-90s), Granby Zoo in Quebec (1999), the Schonbrunn Zoo in Vienna (2004), and Nashville Zoo (2005). I am planning to visit the Jacksonville Zoo in April and I am also planning a zoo road trip in the summer to visit the following zoos: Chattanooga Zoo (as well as the Tennessee Aquarium), Nashville Zoo, Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, St. Louis Zoo, and Memphis Zoo.
 
My list is based on my memorable experiences as a visitor at each of the zoo's
1. Deyoung Zoo
2. Detroit Zoo
3. Sand Diego Zoo
4. Binder Park Zoo
5. NEW Zoo
6. Woodland Park Zoo
7. Point Defiance Zoo
8. Lincoln Park Zoo
9. SDWAP
10. Honolulu Zoo
11. Potter Park Zoo
12. John Ball Zoo
13. Brookfield Zoo
14. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
15. Toledo Zoo
 
1)columbus zoo
2)cincinnati zoo
3)smithsonian national zoo
4)The Wilds
5)Pittsburgh zoo & PPG Aqurium
6)Akron zoo
7)National Aviary in Pittsburgh
8)Living Treasures Animal Park (Private zoo in Pittsburgh)
9)Cleveland zoo
10)Ogelbay good zoo

Going to Philadelphia zoo this weekend!!!!!
 
1. Woodland Park Zoo
2. North Carolina Zoo
3. Denver Zoo
4. Zoo Atlanta
5. Oregon Zoo
6. Houston Zoo
7. Virginia Living Museum
8. Gulf Breeze Zoo

and Aquariums

1. National Aquarium-Baltimore
2. Tennessee Aquarium
3. Georgia Aquarium
4. Seattle Aquarium
5. Virginia Aquarium
5. New England Aquarium

I will be going to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on March 6th-8th!!!!
 
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jusko88 said:
1)columbus zoo
2)cincinnati zoo
3)smithsonian national zoo
4)The Wilds
5)Pittsburgh zoo & PPG Aqurium
6)Akron zoo
7)National Aviary in Pittsburgh
8)Living Treasures Animal Park (Private zoo in Pittsburgh)
9)Cleveland zoo
10)Ogelbay good zoo

Going to Philadelphia zoo this weekend!!!!!
Click to expand...

Having been to the majority of these zoos and spending a great deal of time at them on a regular basis we have to say your rankings are right on the money.Might think about swapping National Zoo with Cincy but thats it.Hope ya like Philly.

Team Tapir
 
This is not in any particular order but here they are

Zoos and Wildlife Parks:

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Santa Ana Zoo
Orange County zoo
Los Angeles Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
Oakland Zoo
Safari West
Minnesota Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
Brookfield Zoo
Disneys Animal Kingdom

Aquariums and Marine Parks:

Seaworld San Diego
Birch Aquarium
Long Beach Aquarium
Manhattan beach Roundhouse Aquarium
 
i posted bout a week ago but have a new list cause i visted 2 new zoos
1)Detroit zoo
2)Columbus zoo
3)Cincinnati zoo
4)Philadelphia zoo
5)Smithsonian National zoo
6)Pittsburgh zoo
7)Cleveland zoo
8)Akron zoo
9)Erie zoo
10)Ogelbay Good zoo
 
I also like to make a list on best polar bear exhibit cause polar bears are my favorite animal :)

Def Detroit zoo number 1
2)columbus zoo
3)pittsburgh zoo
4)philadelphia zoo
5)cincinnati zoo
6)cleveland zoo
7)erie zoo
 
ungulate nerd said:
This is not in any particular order but here they are

Zoos and Wildlife Parks:

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Santa Ana Zoo
Orange County zoo
Los Angeles Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
Oakland Zoo
Safari West
Minnesota Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
Brookfield Zoo
Disneys Animal Kingdom

Aquariums and Marine Parks:

Seaworld San Diego
Birch Aquarium
Long Beach Aquarium
Manhattan beach Roundhouse Aquarium
Shedd aquarium
Click to expand...
 
New List

1. San Diego Zoo
2. Woodland Park Zoo
3. North Carolina Zoo
4. Denver Zoo
5. National Zoo
6. Oregon Zoo
7. Zoo Atlanta
8. Houston Zoo
9. Virginia Living Museum
10. Gulf Breeze Zoo

and Aquariums

1. National Aquarium-Baltimore
2. Tennessee Aquarium
3. Georgia Aquarium
4. Seattle Aquarium
5. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
6. Virginia Aquarium
5. New England Aquarium
 
mweb08 said:
Revision:

1. San Diego 9.2
2. Henry Doorly 9.0
3. Bronx 8.9
4. SD Safari Park 8.2
5. Miami 7.6
6. Columbus 7.6
7. Kansas City 7.0
8. National Zoo 7.0
9. Phoenix 7.0
10. Philadelphia 6.9
11. Virginia Zoo 6.7
12. Maryland Zoo 6.6
13. Lincoln Park 6.5
14. LA Zoo 6.5
15. Central Park 6.4
16. World Wildlife 6.3
17. Pittsburgh 6.1
18. Out of Africa 5.0
19. Salisbury 4.2
20. Orange County 4.2
21. Brandywine 4.0

Aquariums:

1. Baltimore
2. Shedd
3. Sea World San Diego
4. Adventure Aquarium
5. Aquarium of the Pacific
6. Maui Ocean Center
7. Virginia Aquarium
Click to expand...

New list after recent visits:

1. San Diego 9.3
2. Henry Doorly 9.0
3. Bronx 8.9
4. SD Safari Park 8.3
5. Miami 7.6
6. Columbus 7.6
7. National Zoo 7.2
8. Kansas City 7.1
9. Phoenix 7.0
10. Philadelphia 6.9
11. LA Zoo 6.9
12. The Living Desert 6.8
13. Virginia Zoo 6.7
14. Maryland Zoo 6.6
15. Oakland Zoo 6.6
16. Lincoln Park 6.5
17. Central Park 6.4
18. World Wildlife 6.3
19. Pittsburgh 6.1
20. Out of Africa 5.0
21. Santa Ana 4.2
22. Salisbury 4.2
23. Orange County 4.2
24. Brandywine 4.0

Aquariums:

1. Monterey Bay
2. Baltimore
3. Shedd
4. Sea World San Diego
5. Adventure Aquarium
6. Aquarium of the Pacific
7. Steinhart
8. Maui Ocean Center
9. Virginia Aquarium

LA moved up due to the new elephant exhibit and LAIR.
The Living Desert was very impressive but also rather limited.
Oakland is solid on the level of Virginia and Maryland.
Monterey Bay is great and goes to #1 on my list; although, not by a wide margin over Baltimore.
Lastly, the Steinhart aquarium is very good, but not up there with the elite ones imo.
 
Here is my updated list. Main factor is great experience, then animal collection, then exhibit quality.

ZOOS:

1.) Columbus Zoo
2.) Smithsonian National Zoo
3.) Maryland Zoo
4.) Brookfield Zoo
5.) Philadelphia Zoo
6.) Cleveland Zoo
7.) Toronto Zoo
8.) Buffalo Zoo
9.) Erie Zoo
10.) Pittsburgh Zoo
11.) Seneca Park Zoo
12.) Rosamond Gifford Zoo
13.) Lincoln Park Zoo
14.) Zoo America
15.) Ross Park Zoo

AQUARIUMS:

1.) Shedd Aquarium
2.) Adventure Aquarium
2.) National Aquarium in Baltimore
3.) Aquarium of Niagara
 
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1 San Diego Zoo
2 (3)Columbus Zoo
3 Detroit Zoo
4 (3)Cincinnati Zoo
5 (2)Philadelphia Zoo
6 Toledo Zoo
7 (3)Cleveland Zoo
8 Pittsburgh Zoo
9 Cape May County Zoo
10 Akron zoo
11 (2)Erie Zoo
 
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