My list along with brief explanations.
Zoos
1. San Diego Zoo
Nothing on my list even comes close to this place (except maybe the Safari Park). Excellent exhibit density along with many stellar areas (Ituri Forest, Tiger Trail, Gorilla Tropics, Bonobos, Monkey Trail, Aviaries, Asian Cats, Reptiles, African Penguins). Elephant Odyssey isn't that terrible and many other areas of the zoo are quite nice, and the Skyride is a great mode of transportation. Cons include Urban Jungle, Children's Zoo and Bear Canyon as well as the large crowd sizes.
2. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
It's isolation, theming, and open air design provide an amazing sense of immersion in this world-class institution. Other than Hidden Jungle and some of the Nairobi Village small enclosures no part of this zoo is bad, something I can't say about the zoo. The included attractions at this zoo (Bird Show, Africa Tram, and Cheetah Run) provide both a respite from the walking (of which there's a lot) and a unique way to view animals which cannot be provided in a normal zoo. Other highlights include Mombasa Lagoon, Lion Camp, Tiger River, and African Woods + Outpost (especially the waterfall hoofstock, stork, and duck enclosure near the start of Outpost). Elephant Valley has a plentiful herd size which I believe makes up for its relative barrenness.
3. Toronto Zoo
Although it is a great zoo with some nice areas (Indo-Malaya and the Rain forest pavilion), its size lends itself to a disproportionate amount of walking to actual animal viewing.
However its collection and lack of any terrible areas puts it in the upper half of my list.
4. Lincoln Park Zoo
Kovler Lion House is abysmal but a collection of great exhibits (African Journey, Apes, Reptile and Small Mammals, and Macaque Forest) and some other good areas (Birds, Hoofstock, and Children's Zoo) make up for it. They put this small but free zoo in 4th place
5. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
One of the biggest drawbacks to this place is the collection, with only 2,000 total animals (I couldn't find the species number) spread out over just three locales. However, a stellar children's zoo and relatively nice exhibits throughout make for an enjoyable experience.
6. Naples Zoo
Even smaller than the Baltimore Zoo but the Primate Cruise and Alligator bay provide decent immersion and the inclusion of Honey Badgers provide a relatively rare and intriguing species to view.
Aquariums
1. National Aquarium in Baltimore
Two amazing immersive exhibits (Australia and Upland Trop. Rain Forest) headline this incredible aquarium. Other amazing areas include the Shark and Reef stack as well as Blacktip Reef. The setup is also quite nice with the large open middle area always providing views of BR as well as a well-placed whale skeleton. The main exhibtry surrounding said open space is great, providing a diverse selection, great theming and ample size. The Jellies area also holds a great and well designed collection.
2. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
A small aquarium no doubt but simply packed with stellar tanks. The Canadian Waters is a nice entryway which leads into an amazing Kelp Forest. Dangerous Lagoon is a great tunnel experience, and Discovery Centre provides more immersion. The other areas are all excellent and the final walk through the the life support systems works well. However, it's size does hold it back from the number one spot.
3. Sea World San Diego Disclaimer: I work here
Judging this place solely on its merits as an aquarium many great areas are found, including Shark Encounter, Turtle Reef, Aquaria, and the Freshwater Aquariums. Penguin Encounter exhibits some rare species in great numbers, but its glass's fogginess detracts from the experience. While superbly themed and providing relatively rare species, Wild Arctic's enclosures are too small to make it a great exhibit. Finally and indeed most controversially, I view the Orca collection as a positive. For all the hooplah they attract, many forget that there are only four places in North America that one can view Orcas, with three of them being SeaWorld's and one being a solitary individual in MarineLand.
4. Shedd Aquarium (
Please don't eat me)
I really don't understand why many like this aquarium so much the main central exhibitry is nothing stellar and Amazon Rising environmental focus (its main goal) didn't really add to my aquarium experience. The only top tier exhibit here is Wild Reef. The Oceanarium was a huge letdown, as its component exhibits are fairly meh, especially with the belugas being located in a barren tank.
These zoos are visited but beyond memory
- National Zoo
- Philadelphia Zoo
