List and Rank The North American Zoos You Have Visited!

I visited one more facility today, Shell Factory Nature Park in Fort Meyers, FL.

I also decided to move up Prospect and Central Park and moved down Elmwood Park. All three are fine, albeit small, institutions.

Updated list (bold is new facilities added)

1. San Diego Zoo
2. Zoo Miami
3. Bronx Zoo
4. Smithsonian National Zoo
5. San Diego Safari Park
6. Los Angeles Zoo
7. Phoenix Zoo
8. Zoo Atlanta
9. Out of Africa Wildlife Park
10. Lion Country Safari
11. Brevard Zoo
12. Audubon Zoo
13. Palm Beach Zoo
14. Philadelphia Zoo
15. Central Florida Zoo
16. Naples Zoo
17. Staten Island Zoo
18. Queens Zoo
19. Prospect Park Zoo
20. Central Park Zoo
21. Elmwood Park Zoo
22. Shell Factory Nature Park

I've visited AZA or otherwise very fine facilities, so the roadside Shell Factory stands dead last for me. Its not the worst level roadside, though and happens to have a few rarities, so that's at least something.
 
1. San Diego Zoo
2. Woodland Park Zoo
3. Northwest Trek
4. SeaWorld San Diego
5. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
6. Olympic Game Farm
7. Cougar Mountain Zoo
 
To celebrate a recent couple visits to the Bronx and NC Zoos (and my first post after a long time lurking), I thought I would provide my ridiculously subjective opinion on the relatively few number of zoos/aquariums I've been to. () are most recent visit.

Zoos -
1. (3 days ago?) North Carolina Zoo (call me insane for putting it over Bronx, but there's something special about it, and with Asia and Australia it'll soon at least be top 5 in the US)
2. (April 2022) Bronx Zoo (Congo was outstanding, I adored Madagascar, and most of Jungle World was a blast, 10/10)
3. (2019) Disney's Animal Kingdom (more of a theme park than a zoo, but since I love both I can't complain. Incredible exhibits and immersion at the best I've seen)
4. (2019) National Zoo (Asia trail is a joy, as clouded leopards and sloth bears are favorites, the O-line is a blast to watch, but some fairly outdated big cat exhibits hold it back a little bit. Still a very solid facility)
5. (2018) Riverbanks Zoo (this one hurts a bit, given how much I went here as a small kid, and it's where I realized my love of animals, but with some very outdated cat exhibits and a siamang island that is showing its age among many others, it falls towards the bottom. New grizzly bear/otter complex and sea lion landing are excellent though. Bird house won an exhibit award in 2002 so I should probably mention that as well)
6. (2016) Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (liked the water's edge, aquarium was really nice, but almost everything else wasn't very memorable)
7. (2018) ZooAtlanta (Great collection of rare animals, drills were active and I loved every bit of it, expanded African Savannah is a much appreciated upgrade, and the gorilla exhibit is very nice, but with no true "best of their kind" exhibits, Atlanta falls short of the ones above it just a bit. SSS is a great reptile house too, but I hate that name)
8. (2016) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (If that Primates, Cats, and Aquatics building weren't still there, it'd be higher, but it is, so it's not. Did love the elephant crossing and rainforest building though.)
8. (2017) Greenville Zoo (It's AZA accredited so I guess I've got to give it a spot. Neat little place, but most of the exhibits were on the lower end of the quality spectrum.)


- Next May I'll be visiting SDZ and SDZSP so this list will definitely change, very excited

Aquariums (I've been to very few) -

1. (2018) Georgia Aquarium (ocean voyager made me tear up a bit, and we were allowed to go backstage and see the massive tank, incredible and would go back 50 times without getting bored)
2. (2016) National Aquarium in Baltimore (I'll be honest, I don't remember too much, but what I do remember was quite nice)
3. (2013) Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (cool, not as good as the other two)
 
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Chickles said:
To celebrate a recent couple visits to the Bronx and NC Zoos (and my first post after a long time lurking), I thought I would provide my ridiculously subjective opinion on the relatively few number of zoos/aquariums I've been to. () are most recent visit.

Zoos -
1. (3 days ago?) North Carolina Zoo (call me insane for putting it over Bronx, but there's something special about it, and with Asia and Australia it'll soon at least be top 5 in the US)
2. (April 2022) Bronx Zoo (Congo was outstanding, I adored Madagascar, and most of Jungle World was a blast, 10/10)
3. (2019) Disney's Animal Kingdom (more of a theme park than a zoo, but since I love both I can't complain. Incredible exhibits and immersion at the best I've seen)
4. (2019) National Zoo (Asia trail is a joy, as clouded leopards and sloth bears are favorites, the O-line is a blast to watch, but some fairly outdated big cat exhibits hold it back a little bit. Still a very solid facility)
5. (2018) Riverbanks Zoo (this one hurts a bit, given how much I went here as a small kid, and it's where I realized my love of animals, but with some very outdated cat exhibits and a siamang island that is showing its age among many others, it falls towards the bottom. New grizzly bear/otter complex and sea lion landing are excellent though. Bird house won an exhibit award in 2002 so I should probably mention that as well)
6. (2016) Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (liked the water's edge, aquarium was really nice, but almost everything else wasn't very memorable)
7. (2018) ZooAtlanta (Great collection of rare animals, drills were active and I loved every bit of it, expanded African Savannah is a much appreciated upgrade, and the gorilla exhibit is very nice, but with no true "best of their kind" exhibits, Atlanta falls short of the ones above it just a bit. SSS is a great reptile house too, but I hate that name)
8. (2016) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (If that Primates, Cats, and Aquatics building weren't still there, it'd be higher, but it is, so it's not. Did love the elephant crossing and rainforest building though.)
8. (2017) Greenville Zoo (It's AZA accredited so I guess I've got to give it a spot. Neat little place, but most of the exhibits were on the lower end of the quality spectrum.)


- Next May I'll be visiting SDZ and SDZSP so this list will definitely change, very excited

Aquariums (I've been to very few) -

1. (2018) Georgia Aquarium (ocean voyager made me tear up a bit, and we were allowed to go backstage and see the massive tank, incredible and would go back 50 times without getting bored)
2. (2016) National Aquarium in Baltimore (I'll be honest, I don't remember too much, but what I do remember was quite nice)
3. (2013) Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (cool, not as good as the other two)
Click to expand...
You are not wrong about NC, it really is an amazing place. The lose of the aviary makes it take a major hit in my book - I love free flight aviaries. However, the scale of the African planes and the quality of the habitats is really great.

BTW, great first post :)
 
This is something I have put a lot of thought into recently, with my major uptick in facilities visited over the past two years combined with my experience working in the field -- there are so many different aspects of zoos you consider when you visit as an animal care professional. In my rankings I have tried to find a solid balance between objectivity and personal preference and experience. I've only ranked the aquariums that I have visited in the last two years, as I cannot remember the other three facilities well enough to fairly rank them.

Zoos:
  1. San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA -- May 2021
  2. St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO -- March 2022
  3. The Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA -- May 2021
  4. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH -- May 2022
  5. Dallas Zoo, Dallas, TX -- March 2022
  6. Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, TX -- March 2022
  7. Houston Zoo, Houston, TX -- March 2021
  8. Kansas City Zoo -- Kansas City, MO -- March 2022
  9. Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN -- May 2022
  10. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere -- Nashville, TN -- May 2022
  11. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden -- Cincinnati, OH -- May 2022
  12. Los Angeles Zoo -- Los Angeles, CA -- May 2021
  13. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo -- Cleveland, OH -- May 2016
  14. Caldwell Zoo -- Tyler, TX -- March 2022
  15. Louisville Zoo -- Louisville, KY -- May 2022
  16. Cameron Park Zoo -- Waco, TX -- March 2022
  17. Tulsa Zoo -- Tulsa, OK -- July 2021
  18. San Antonio Zoo -- San Antonio, TX -- March 2022
  19. Audubon Zoo -- New Orleans, LA -- August 2021
  20. Topeka Zoo -- Topeka, KS -- May 2022
  21. Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, LA -- July 2021
  22. Ellen Trout Zoo, Lufkin, TX -- March 2022
  23. Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg, MS -- January 2021
  24. Frank Buck Zoo, Gainesville, TX -- March 2022

Safari Parks:
  1. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA -- May 2021
  2. The Wilds, Cumberland, OH -- May 2016
  3. Fossil Rim, Glen Rose, TX -- October 2021
  4. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio, TX -- December 2021

Aquariums:
  1. Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas, TX -- January 2022
  2. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, LA -- March 2021
  3. Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park -- Dallas, TX -- March 2022
  4. Mississippi Aquarium -- Gulfport, MS -- June 2021
X. Newport Aquarium, Newport, KY -- September 2018
X. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg, TN -- November 2009
X. Ripley’s Aquarium at Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC -- September 2000

Other:
  1. Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium -- July 2018
Looking at my current rankings, I expect that having The Living Desert as my #3 traditional zoo might be controversial, but I think it is an astounding, unique facility with a very clear intent and bright future. I was really blown away when I visited last year. I would also expect Cleveland and Hattiesburg to both rank higher if I were to revist them now, with the high quality projects both facilities have opened since my last visit. Nashville would obviously rank higher if its collection was broader and more complete, as the entire facility is top-notch. I assume that if I were to revist the aquariums I left unranked, they would also rank quite highly amongst my meager list of aquariums.
 
Having finished a trip to the northeast where I visited a number of new zoos and aquariums, plus revisits, I figured I'd update my list.


ZOOS
1. San Diego Zoo
2. Zoo Miami
3. Bronx Zoo
4. Smithsonian National Zoo
5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
6. Los Angeles Zoo
7. Phoenix Zoo
8. Zoo Atlanta
9. Out Of Africa Wildlife Park
10. Lion Country Safari
11. Brevard Zoo
12. Philadelphia Zoo
13. Audubon Zoo
14. Cape May County Zoo
15. Palm Beach Zoo
16. Roger Williams Park Zoo
17. Turtle Back Zoo
18. Franklin Park Zoo
19. Central Florida Zoo
20. Naples Zoo
21. Staten Island Zoo
22. Queens Zoo
23. Stone Zoo
24. Central Park Zoo
25. Prospect Park Zoo
26. Elmwood Park Zoo
27. Flamingo Gardens
28. Lehigh Valley Zoo
29. Trevor Zoo
30. Cohanzick Zoo
31. Bergen County Zoo
32. Shell Factory Nature Park
33. Everglades Alligator Farm
34. Goldfield Mines Superstition Serpentarium
-
Unranked: Liberty Science Center
Unranked: Monkey Jungle
Unranked: ZooAmerica


I'm counting a lot under the ZOO umbrella. Basically facilities that either have a number of large and exotic terrestrial animals, or ones that are publicly open, have a decent number of non-fish animals AND charge a mandatory admission fee of over $5 USD were counted on this list; parking and amenity fees don't count.

Bolded are facilities that are new to my previous zoo rankings, whether newly visited or left off on a previous list.

Unranked is because I visited many years ago and don't remember them well.

Also note that the bottom two in this list have very fun non-zoo activities that are worth visiting and I'm only judging them based mainly on the zoological aspects like quality and collection.


AQUARIUMS
1. SeaWorld Orlando
2. Georgia Aquarium
3. Mystic Aquarium
4. Maritime Aquarium
5. New York Aquarium
6. Shark Reef Aquarium
7. Miami Seaquarium
8. Frost Museum Of Science
9. Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium
10. Cox Science Center & Aquarium
11. OdySea Aquarium
-
Unranked: The Seas EPCOT


Any place that is publicly open, specializes primarily in fish and other marine animals and charges a mandatory admission fee of over $5 USD was counted for this list.

Also only judging animal-related aspects, so no roller coasters at SeaWorld or the non-animal exhibits at science centers. This is also my first true aquarium rankings.


I've visited 16 or so small, free (or $5 and under) nature centers and sanctuaries as well as a couple of private-tour facilities, but I'll leave them off my rankings since they're too different of an expectation and experience.
 
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1. Bronx Zoo
2. Omaha Zoo
3. San Diego Safari Park
4. San Diego Zoo
5. Disney's Animal Kingdom
6. Smithsonian Zoo
7. Brookfield Zoo
8. Oakland Zoo
9. Pittsburgh Zoo
10. San Francisco Zoo
11. Alaska Zoo

While I haven't been to many zoos, I've at least been to some top ones. I went to the Bronx two weeks ago and it blew my mind with its immersion. Almost every animal seemed to have a good enclosure(except the amur leopard and saltwater crocodile). San Diego is a bit overrated but still cracks my top 4. Its collection is still top tier, but I didn't find many exhibits that blew my mind.
 
Zoos
1. Disney's Animal Kingdom
2. Zoo Miami
3. Jacksonville Zoo
4. Birmingham Zoo
5. North Carolina Zoo
6. Zoo Atlanta
7. Chattanooga Zoo
8. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
9. Chehaw Zoo
10. Lion Country Safari
11. Gatorland
12. Jungle Island

Aquariums
1. SeaWorld Orlando
2. Georgia Aquarium
3. Tennessee Aquarium
4. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
5. Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
6. The Seas (Epcot)
7. Sea Life Orlando
8. Miami Seaquarium (the fish, bird, and reptile sections I only like. The cetaceans need way better habitats, especially Lolita)


.
 
Date listed is of my most recent visit.

AZA Zoos
  1. Denver Zoo (2019)
  2. Lincoln Park Zoo (2011)
  3. Zoo Atlanta (2022)
  4. Virginia Zoo (2016?)
  5. Western North Carolina Nature Center (2021)
  6. Chattanooga Zoo (2020)
  7. Riverbanks Zoo (2022)
  8. Lowcountry Zoo (2022) - Really wholesome place, its small size is the only reason it's so low
  9. Greenville Zoo (2022) - I still like Greenville Zoo, and visit at least once every other year or so. It's small, though, and while it's better than it was even a decade ago some of their exhibits (lions especially) are very lacking.
Non-AZA Zoos
  1. Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary (yesterday) - Honestly the only one of these that I feel is even remotely adequate as a location.
  2. Hollywild Animal Park (2010?) - Pretty gross.
  3. Waccatee Zoo (2012?) - Absolutely abhorrent.
Aquariums
  1. Georgia Aquarium (2022)
  2. Shedd Aquarium (2001)
  3. Tennessee Aquarium (2020)
  4. Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach (2003?)
  5. South Carolina Aquarium (2022)
  6. The Seas at Epcot (2022) - Small size, and the largest tank seemed really empty.
Amusement Parks
  1. Disney's Animal Kingdom Park (2022)
  2. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (2022)
  3. SeaWorld Orlando (2005)
Distant Memories So these will only be vaguely ranked.
  1. Montgomery Zoo (mid-late 90s)
  2. ZooWorld (mid-late 90s)
  3. Alligator Adventure (mid-late 90s)
  4. Santa's Land (early 2000s)
 
I'm choosing to rank all the AZA-accredited and certified facilities I've visited:
  1. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio
  2. San Diego Zoo, Calif.
  3. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif.
  4. Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas
  5. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo.
  6. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb.
  7. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Ill.
  8. Georgia Aquarium, Ga.
  9. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo.
  10. Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, Ill.
  11. Oregon Zoo, Ore.
  12. North Carolina Zoo, N.C.
  13. SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas
  14. SeaWorld San Diego, Calif.
  15. SeaWorld Orlando, Fla.
  16. Dallas Zoo, Texas
  17. Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind.
  18. National Aquarium, Md.
  19. Woodland Park Zoo, Wash.
  20. Nashville Zoo, Tenn.
  21. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn.
  22. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla.
  23. Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla.
  24. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md.
  25. Mystic Aquarium, Conn.
  26. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y.
  27. Denver Zoological Gardens, Colo.
  28. Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C.
  29. Zoo Atlanta, Ga.
  30. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah
  31. Wilds, The, Ohio
  32. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz.
  33. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas
  34. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla.
  35. Minnesota Zoological Garden, Minn.
  36. Kansas City Zoo, Mo.
  37. Discovery Cove, Fla.
  38. New York Aquarium, N.Y.
  39. National Aviary, Pa.
  40. Adventure Aquarium, N.J.
  41. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash.
  42. New England Aquarium, Mass.
  43. Akron Zoological Park, Ohio
  44. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky.
  45. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J.
  46. Tracy Aviary, Utah
  47. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan.
  48. Audubon Zoo, La.
  49. Zoo Knoxville, Tenn.
  50. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Calif.
  51. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y.
  52. Greensboro Science Center, N.C.
  53. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, Mass.
  54. Duke Lemur Center, N.C.
  55. Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
  56. ZooMontana, Mont.
  57. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa.
  58. Cameron Park Zoo, Texas
  59. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, La.
  60. Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Va.
  61. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Fla.
  62. South Carolina Aquarium, S.C.
  63. Central Park Zoo, N.Y.
  64. Prospect Park Zoo, N.Y.
  65. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Nev.
  66. Elmwood Park Zoo, Pa.
  67. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass.
  68. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y.
  69. ZOOAMERICA NA Wildlife Park, Pa.
  70. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio
  71. Staten Island Zoo, N.Y.
  72. Aquarium of Niagara, N.Y.
  73. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y.
  74. Brandywine Zoo, Del.
  75. Museum of Science, Mass.
  76. Newport Aquarium, Ky.
I'm traveling a lot for work these days, so I'm hopeful that I'll break 100 facilities soon!
 
Anmltrnr98 said:
I'm choosing to rank all the AZA-accredited and certified facilities I've visited:
  1. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio
  2. San Diego Zoo, Calif.
  3. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif.
  4. Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas
  5. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo.
  6. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb.
  7. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Ill.
  8. Georgia Aquarium, Ga.
  9. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo.
  10. Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, Ill.
  11. Oregon Zoo, Ore.
  12. North Carolina Zoo, N.C.
  13. SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas
  14. SeaWorld San Diego, Calif.
  15. SeaWorld Orlando, Fla.
  16. Dallas Zoo, Texas
  17. Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind.
  18. National Aquarium, Md.
  19. Woodland Park Zoo, Wash.
  20. Nashville Zoo, Tenn.
  21. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn.
  22. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla.
  23. Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla.
  24. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md.
  25. Mystic Aquarium, Conn.
  26. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y.
  27. Denver Zoological Gardens, Colo.
  28. Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C.
  29. Zoo Atlanta, Ga.
  30. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah
  31. Wilds, The, Ohio
  32. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz.
  33. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas
  34. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla.
  35. Minnesota Zoological Garden, Minn.
  36. Kansas City Zoo, Mo.
  37. Discovery Cove, Fla.
  38. New York Aquarium, N.Y.
  39. National Aviary, Pa.
  40. Adventure Aquarium, N.J.
  41. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash.
  42. New England Aquarium, Mass.
  43. Akron Zoological Park, Ohio
  44. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky.
  45. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J.
  46. Tracy Aviary, Utah
  47. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan.
  48. Audubon Zoo, La.
  49. Zoo Knoxville, Tenn.
  50. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Calif.
  51. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y.
  52. Greensboro Science Center, N.C.
  53. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, Mass.
  54. Duke Lemur Center, N.C.
  55. Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
  56. ZooMontana, Mont.
  57. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa.
  58. Cameron Park Zoo, Texas
  59. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, La.
  60. Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Va.
  61. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Fla.
  62. South Carolina Aquarium, S.C.
  63. Central Park Zoo, N.Y.
  64. Prospect Park Zoo, N.Y.
  65. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Nev.
  66. Elmwood Park Zoo, Pa.
  67. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass.
  68. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y.
  69. ZOOAMERICA NA Wildlife Park, Pa.
  70. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio
  71. Staten Island Zoo, N.Y.
  72. Aquarium of Niagara, N.Y.
  73. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y.
  74. Brandywine Zoo, Del.
  75. Museum of Science, Mass.
  76. Newport Aquarium, Ky.
I'm traveling a lot for work these days, so I'm hopeful that I'll break 100 facilities soon!
Click to expand...
Is Cincinnati really that good, and Newport really that bad?
 
Anmltrnr98 said:
I'm choosing to rank all the AZA-accredited and certified facilities I've visited:
  1. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio
  2. San Diego Zoo, Calif.
  3. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif.
  4. Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas
  5. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo.
  6. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb.
  7. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Ill.
  8. Georgia Aquarium, Ga.
  9. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo.
  10. Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, Ill.
  11. Oregon Zoo, Ore.
  12. North Carolina Zoo, N.C.
  13. SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas
  14. SeaWorld San Diego, Calif.
  15. SeaWorld Orlando, Fla.
  16. Dallas Zoo, Texas
  17. Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind.
  18. National Aquarium, Md.
  19. Woodland Park Zoo, Wash.
  20. Nashville Zoo, Tenn.
  21. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn.
  22. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla.
  23. Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla.
  24. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md.
  25. Mystic Aquarium, Conn.
  26. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y.
  27. Denver Zoological Gardens, Colo.
  28. Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C.
  29. Zoo Atlanta, Ga.
  30. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah
  31. Wilds, The, Ohio
  32. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz.
  33. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas
  34. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla.
  35. Minnesota Zoological Garden, Minn.
  36. Kansas City Zoo, Mo.
  37. Discovery Cove, Fla.
  38. New York Aquarium, N.Y.
  39. National Aviary, Pa.
  40. Adventure Aquarium, N.J.
  41. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash.
  42. New England Aquarium, Mass.
  43. Akron Zoological Park, Ohio
  44. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky.
  45. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J.
  46. Tracy Aviary, Utah
  47. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan.
  48. Audubon Zoo, La.
  49. Zoo Knoxville, Tenn.
  50. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Calif.
  51. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y.
  52. Greensboro Science Center, N.C.
  53. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, Mass.
  54. Duke Lemur Center, N.C.
  55. Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
  56. ZooMontana, Mont.
  57. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa.
  58. Cameron Park Zoo, Texas
  59. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, La.
  60. Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Va.
  61. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Fla.
  62. South Carolina Aquarium, S.C.
  63. Central Park Zoo, N.Y.
  64. Prospect Park Zoo, N.Y.
  65. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Nev.
  66. Elmwood Park Zoo, Pa.
  67. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass.
  68. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y.
  69. ZOOAMERICA NA Wildlife Park, Pa.
  70. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio
  71. Staten Island Zoo, N.Y.
  72. Aquarium of Niagara, N.Y.
  73. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y.
  74. Brandywine Zoo, Del.
  75. Museum of Science, Mass.
  76. Newport Aquarium, Ky.
I'm traveling a lot for work these days, so I'm hopeful that I'll break 100 facilities soon!
Click to expand...

The fact I'm surprised about is that you put Mystic Aquarium over Bronx Zoo!
 
Its always refreshing to see someone list a zoo other than San Diego and Bronx as their #1. Even if I don't agree, I like seeing varied opinions.
 
I haven't been to many zoos in my lifetime, as I am young, but here is my list.


1. Cleveland Metro park Zoo. I went to this zoo with my grandma earlier this year. I had an awesome experience. The zoo is wonderfully laid out and has a good amount of species. I loved the wilderness trek area in particular as it was the first part I saw when I entered into the second entrance. The rainforest building is really well designed. Although the zoo isn't very immersive, it is still very beautiful. The Australian section is one of a kind, as it is very original. The primate, cats and aquatics house will still take down the zoos value till the day it doesn't exist, and the map sucks, But I will always enjoy this zoo.

2. Detroit Zoo. I'm gonna start this by saying that the layout of this zoo is absolutely terrible, its very hard to navigate, but I still had a great time at this zoo. The Polk Penguin Center was pretty cool and educational, and I strangely loved the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, especially the aviary. The zoos also not very organized as exhibits are kind of all over, and there is a lot of back tracking involved to see everything. I'm also very confused on what animals the zoo has at a certain time. Personally I like paper maps better than Online maps. I loved how all the exhibits are very spacious and well landscaped. Overall a Good Zoo, but I don't plan on visiting again for a good while, or at least until anything new is brought to the zoo.

3. Toledo Zoo. This is my home zoo, and the zoo I have visited every year since I could walk. The Zoo is a medium sized zoo that managed to fit around 700 species in its walls, and it still manages to have nice exhibits. its a city zoo, so there is not much nature within it. The layout is amazing and its map is very easy to read, Which is a big plus over Cleveland and Detroit's Parks, except it doesn't consistently drop your Jaw like Cleveland and Detroit tend to do. It will always be a lower ranking until the day the zoos Tiger Terrace doesn't exist. The aquarium is also very cool. I love my zoo, but its not my favorite.

4. Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies. I liked the aquarium and it was an interesting experience. the shark tunnel brings up its value, and keeps it from just being another cookie cutter aquarium. I do like Zoos better though so its not my favorite. but I did enjoy my time here.

5. ZooAmerica. I think its really cool for an AZA zoo to be region based, which although really lowers its popularity it is a bold decision that I like. The exhibits are cool, and I loved the Swamps and Southwest building. But because of its small size of 11 acres it could be very boring to older zoo-goers. But I enjoyed my time here.

6. Indian Creek Zoo. Although not an AZA zoo, I decided to include it on this list because I like it. It is 11 acres and displays mostly domestic animals with a few exotic animals here an there. I still enjoy my time.
 
Lane Dittman said:
I haven't been to many zoos in my lifetime, as I am young, but here is my list.


1. Cleveland Metro park Zoo. I went to this zoo with my grandma earlier this year. I had an awesome experience. The zoo is wonderfully laid out and has a good amount of species. I loved the wilderness trek area in particular as it was the first part I saw when I entered into the second entrance. The rainforest building is really well designed. Although the zoo isn't very immersive, it is still very beautiful. The Australian section is one of a kind, as it is very original. The primate, cats and aquatics house will still take down the zoos value till the day it doesn't exist, and the map sucks, But I will always enjoy this zoo.

2. Detroit Zoo. I'm gonna start this by saying that the layout of this zoo is absolutely terrible, its very hard to navigate, but I still had a great time at this zoo. The Polk Penguin Center was pretty cool and educational, and I strangely loved the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, especially the aviary. The zoos also not very organized as exhibits are kind of all over, and there is a lot of back tracking involved to see everything. I'm also very confused on what animals the zoo has at a certain time. Personally I like paper maps better than Online maps. I loved how all the exhibits are very spacious and well landscaped. Overall a Good Zoo, but I don't plan on visiting again for a good while, or at least until anything new is brought to the zoo.

3. Toledo Zoo. This is my home zoo, and the zoo I have visited every year since I could walk. The Zoo is a medium sized zoo that managed to fit around 700 species in its walls, and it still manages to have nice exhibits. its a city zoo, so there is not much nature within it. The layout is amazing and its map is very easy to read, Which is a big plus over Cleveland and Detroit's Parks, except it doesn't consistently drop your Jaw like Cleveland and Detroit tend to do. It will always be a lower ranking until the day the zoos Tiger Terrace doesn't exist. The aquarium is also very cool. I love my zoo, but its not my favorite.

4. Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies. I liked the aquarium and it was an interesting experience. the shark tunnel brings up its value, and keeps it from just being another cookie cutter aquarium. I do like Zoos better though so its not my favorite. but I did enjoy my time here.

5. ZooAmerica. I think its really cool for an AZA zoo to be region based, which although really lowers its popularity it is a bold decision that I like. The exhibits are cool, and I loved the Swamps and Southwest building. But because of its small size of 11 acres it could be very boring to older zoo-goers. But I enjoyed my time here.

6. Indian Creek Zoo. Although not an AZA zoo, I decided to include it on this list because I like it. It is 11 acres and displays mostly domestic animals with a few exotic animals here an there. I still enjoy my time.
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I don't know how you could possibly think that Toledo doesn't consistently drop your jaw considering the aviary, the aquarium and (especially) ProMedica all exist - indeed I think it is one of the most consistently jaw-dropping American zoos (even if there are quite a few boring parts as well). Certainly I would rank Toledo far above Detroit.
 
1. Fort Worth Zoo - Always gonna have a soft spot for this zoo, not to mention that the MOLA is my all-time favorite zoo exhibit, It has only gotten better with its African Savannah and Elephant Springs exhibit and with the zoo getting African Leopards next year which are my favorite big cat species I can only see it cementing its position

2. Zoo Miami - Definitely the largest zoo I have been too and the zoo closest to dethroning Fort Worth Zoo. It has some really nice exhibits and amazing hoofstock diversity, not to mention one of the few AZA zoos to see Indian Gaur and Giant Eland, I was also very happy to see their Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat and Cuban Crocodiles two species I love dearly.

3. Houston Zoo - I have always loved this zoo, and as it gains new exhibits it only gets better, while I was sad about some species diversity being lost and the upcoming Galapagos Islands exhibit using stand ins, the zoo as a whole is fantastic with some truly great enclosures, the Pantanal is a close 2nd for my favorite zoo exhibit and I believe Houston Zoo to have one of the best Gorilla habitats. And has the best insect house I have seen!

4. San Antonio Zoo - Probably the most nostalgic zoo for me as it's the first zoo I really have memories of as I was too young to remember zoos from England and Canada when I lived there. While some of the habitats could still use some upgrades they have made great strides so far and have one of the best herp and bird collections I have seen, and rumours of them expanding to the other side of the highway only gets me more excited for the future!

5. Dallas Zoo - Would probably be higher on my list if not for them losing the Australia section, but the extensive herp collection and amazing Africa section are still worthy of praise. Some star species here are the Perentie, Tuatara, Inland Taipan, Samar Cobra, Shingleback Skink, Magauri Stork, Spectacled Langur, and the only Double-Eyed Fig Parrot outside of Australia.

6. Dallas World Aquarium - More zoo than aquarium this place has species that you might never find in another AZA zoo, or in another US zoo as a whole such as their Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth! I only went here just under a year ago and was incredibly impressed by this place and is definitely a must visit for zoo lovers. The only reason I ranked it lower than Dallas Zoo is because its much smaller.

7. Waco Zoo - This zoo has a nice reptile house and some decent enclosures, it is also a nostalgic zoo, but is on the smaller side and unlike a lot of the previously mentioned zoos doesn't get expansions or new exhibits very often.

8. Naples Zoo - I only went here about two months ago but was impressed when I did go, it has so many cool species including some you rarely see at other zoos such as the Honey Badger and Buff-Cheeked Gibbon as well as the only White-Headed Lemur in the US. The only reason it is lower than Waco Zoo is because it does not have a reptile house and I think the giraffe enclosure needs to be a decent size bigger.

9.Palm Beach Zoo - A small zoo and probably the one I have been too the most since It's close to my college. It is a nice little zoo but it suffers from drastic species loss and rarely if ever brings in new species, I don't even think the zoo has a masterplan or any plans for new exhibits. herp species at the zoo have taken the biggest hit when it comes to species loss.

10.Santa Fe Teaching Zoo - This zoo is at the bottom simply because its the smallest, it has some unique species such as the Cuban Amazon Parrots, Matschie's Tree Kangaroos, and Visayan Warty Pig. It is probably the only zoo I don't really see myself wanting to go back to unless something big happens like a expansion or acquisition of a rare species.

I have been to a few other zoos but I do not remember them well enough to give them a proper ranking, I am hoping to get to Brevard Zoo, Central Florida Zoo, Zoo Tampa, and St. Augustine Alligator Farm next year so my rankings may change then, I really want to go to some zoos outside of Texas and Florida but currently not possible on a college student budget.
 
#1. Denver Zoo (2022)
#2. Shedd Aquarium
#3. National Zoo (2006)
#4. Lincoln Park Zoo (2017)
#5. Milwaukee County Zoo (2014)
#6. Brookfield Zoo

I wish I had better memories of the National Zoo; most of what I remember is pandas and reptiles. Brookfield and Shedd have been multiple visits over too many years to list. I have been trying to make it back to Lincoln Park for over a year. None of the zoos can compare to Denver though.
 
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