#1 Toronto Zoo -> my 'home' zoo, and one I've grown up visiting. As I expand the list of zoos I've visited I imagine it will fall down my list.
#2 Rosamond Gifford Zoo -> a recent addition to my list of zoos I've visited. While it was small, it was very nice to see some of the species I hadn't had a chance to see at Toronto, specifically the elephants and Andean Bear
#3 Jungle Cat World (Orono) -> only makes my ranking list because I have nothing else... not a facility I remember fondly, mostly due to incredibly small and non-enriching habitats
Quick edit to my list, as I’m seeing some people add aquariums to their lists and thought I’d add the one I’d been to.
#1 Toronto Zoo (most recent visit - 2024)
My reasons for keeping Toronto atop my list have not changed at all. This facility is the one I have been visiting my entire life, sometimes multiple times a year. While the species list is ever-shortening, the focus on conserving the species that need it makes it easy to forgive the losses of some old favourites.
#2 Rosamond Gifford Zoo (only visit - 2024)
Another facility holding its ranking for all the reasons it got this spot originally. While not nearly as sizeable and time-consuming a facility (walked the whole thing in just over an hour), the diversity of species and many that I had never witnessed prior makes this an easy 2nd place.
#3 Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (only visit - 2015)
It has been a while since I last visited this aquarium, but the whole experience was quite amazing for a then eight-year-old me. Definitely need to visit again, but definitely easy to slot in at 3rd.
#4 Orono’s Jungle Cat World (only visit - 2017 or 2018)
Still at the bottom, and all the original points stand true about this roadside zoo… actually I think “animal menagerie” is a better term for it. The enclosures were poor, animals were kept in groups far smaller than is viewed as good for the animals, and there was little/no dedicated pathways for visitors from my memory.
Update to the list
1 Omaha zoo
2 Lee G Simmons conservation park and wildlife safari and this place takes second spot because it was my first up close encounter with wolves and also the closest I have ever been to a bald eagle without a barrier separating you from the eagles and it also takes second spot for its wide variety of owls, grey fox and bobcat and what I mean by up close regarding the wolves is that where you view the wolves from you can see the entire exhibit but as for the rest of the rankings it’s still the same as of now however that may possibly change in the summer or fall of 2025 and it depends on if I get to go to the Bronx zoo again.
And just saying but with the eagles there is still mesh however you can go inside the exhibit and when I was there they had 5 eagles and one of the eagles was a juvenile and I don’t know how what sexes the eagles but I saw what looked like a male and a female building their nest.
So now that 2024 is behind us, I'd figure it's time for me to update my rankings, especially since 2024 was an extremely productive year for me overall (I visited 29 facilities that year, of which 19 where brand new credits for me). In addition, some of the facilities I have revisited this year have also slid up or down in my rankings.
I am doing several rankings, as there are a few facilities under my belt that I could not fit into the main rankings. My main ranking will include 44 of the 56 zoological collections I have visited. Without further ado, let's dive right in.
All rankings are from worst to best.
(Worst) Triangle Metro Zoo (Wake Forest, NC) - This zoo may be permanently closed, but I still mostly remember my visit from 2004 or 2005, before it closed for good in 2006. This was, needless to say, a really bad zoo that embodied everything wrong with roadside zoos; crappy exhibits that where most concrete-floored cages, crude infrastructure, a mixture of domestic animals to pad out the collection, and a complete lack of care or passion.
Lazy 5 Ranch (Morrisville, NC) - This remains the worst still-operating facility that I have ever visited. While their drive-through safari is decent (the mixing of domestic species notwithstanding), their on-foot portion is absolutely horrid, with poor exhibits and a very unpleasant "rustic farm" aesthetic that permeates the entire facility. Oh, and this is a cash-only facility.
SeaLife New Jersey (East Rutherford, NJ) - Easily my least-favorite aquarium, hands down. While it does feature a good gimmick at the entrance (where you take an elevator down into the aquarium), it's all downhill from there as you are faced with a very disorganized collection housed in gimmicky exhibits where it's a coin flip on whether an exhibit is even signed. Their largest tank is not only filled with cartoony scenery, but is also completely unlabeled.
SeaLife Orlando (Orlando, FL) - "Better than New Jersey" is probably the 2nd best thing I can say about this aquarium (the first being that it has an admittedly cool glass shark tunnel), as this aquarium is very reliant on gimmicky presentation and exhibitry and is honestly just not that interesting of a place.
Greenville Zoo (Greenville, SC) - This, in my opinion, continues to be the weakest AZA-accredited facility I have visited. The collection is fairly small (just over 50 species) and the exhibits were very hit-or-miss. There were some surprises here and there, but the facility is overall really dragged down by its weakest parts, such as the awful primate exhibits.
Gatorland (Orlando, FL) - I will admit, I have soured a bit on this facility. It is a bit of a mess when it comes to its presentation and layout, although they do have some interesting species on display (me being a reptile fan and all). This place definitely emphasizes their interactive experiences and family activities more. Their massive alligator breeding marsh and the swamp boardwalk were highlights for me, although the rest of the facility was mostly forgettable.
Lehigh Valley Zoo (Schnecksville, PA) - Not the worst zoo by any means, but it's also fairly forgettable. The collection is fairly bog-standard and the exhibit quality is a mixed bag, with the zoo approaching roadside quality at some parts. That being said, it benefits hugely from its location inside the Trexler Nature Reserve.
Elmwood Park Zoo (Norristown, PA) - Elmwood Park Zoo is a place that seems torn between the past and the future. On the one hand, their older exhibits definitely leave something to be desired in terms of aesthetics, design, and naturalism. But their newer projects, such as Trail of the Jaguar and the new Visitor Center, were highly impressive and point towards a bright future. Elmwood is a bit of a mixed bag as a result, but it's far from a bad zoo.
SeaLife Charlotte-Concord (Concord, NC) - I know SeaLife facilities get something of a bad rep around here, but I honestly think this particular location is not bad at all. I don't mind spending an hour or two here every time I visit family in Charlotte. It helps that the collection and exhibits are well-organized and the shark tunnel is actually pretty decent for such a small aquarium.
Jenkinson's Aquarium (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) - This small boardwalk aquarium on the New Jersey coast actually manages to pack quite a bit into its small 2-story footprint. While you have the typical sharks, penguins, and fish, there were actually some surprises here I wasn't expecting, such as African Toads and South American Lungfish. It's a decent aquarium, and doesn't take long at all to tour.
Bergen County Zoo (Paramus, NJ) - This small Americas-focused zoo may not have the most memorable or interesting collection, but it does have a charming atmosphere and even manages to punch above its weight in some areas. The exhibits are good for the most part, save for a few that are woefully antiquated.
Reptile Gardens (Rapid City, SD) - This neat little reptile zoo on the edge of the Black Hills features one of the most impressive reptile collections I have seen, and this goes double for their collection of venomous snakes. Plenty of rarities and standouts abound here, and the walkthrough rain forest exhibit is a nice touch. But man, the exhibit quality is all over the place, and there are some that are truly bad, including one of the worst turtle exhibits I have seen. Do you like Parrots-on-a-stick? What if I told you RG has that AND now Boas-on-a-stick?
Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, SC) - While not a bad aquarium per say, it's also a fairly unremarkable one, almost like a suped-up SeaLife aquarium.
Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn, NY) - While I found Prospect Park to the weakest of the five WCS facilities, it's still an enjoyable little zoo that does manage to pack some nice surprises in its small plot. Like Central Park, it's primarily a children's zoo that manages to upstage many other zoos of similar size and scope. Plus, like the other WCS facilities, the zoo has some great historical value to it as well.
Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange, NJ) - This zoo is a very mixed bag in terms of collection and exhibitry. Some areas of the zoo are really well-done (Africa, Asia, World of Water), others are underwhelming (Reptile House, Wild America, Australia). The collection did have some nice surprises, but was otherwise fairly unremarkable. Definitely one of the most inconsistent zoos I have visited.
Museum of Life and Sciences (Durham, NC) - This accredited museum in Durham is more geared towards families, but there is some interest here for an enthusiast. It does occasionally feature animals rarely seen in captivity (minks, kestrals, merlins, etc.), but the real reason it ranks up here is due to their insectarium and butterfly house, the latter of which is the best of its kind that I have visited.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh, NC) - I would have ranked this higher in years past, but its animal collection has really gone downhill; with several exhibits sitting empty for a year and counting now (and another that has sat empty since no earlier than 2019). I still enjoy my visits here and they still boast a solid collection of native species, but the vibes it gives off that suggest some BTS struggles cannot be ignored.
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center (West Yellowstone, MT) - This small accredited facility focuses on wildlife native to the Yellowstone area, and it was a very pleasant place when I visited back in 2021. The presentation is very solid, and does a great job introducing visitors to Yellowstone's ecology and educating them about the local wildlife. That being said, it's a fairly small place, so I can only rank it so high.
Staten Island Zoo (Staten Island, NY) - This small zoo almost feels like two disparate zoos mashed into one. On the one hand, the outdoor exhibits and collection are rather forgettable, although there are some bright spots, like their Amur Leopard exhibit. But on the other hand, you have the Indoor exhibits, which feature a diverse and interesting lineup with mostly good exhibits, even if that area has its own weaknesses. The reptile collection especially was a standout, although the exhibit quality did leave something to be desired.
Queens Zoo (Queens, NY) - I'll be posting a review of this excellent little zoo soon, but for now, I have to say that Queens Zoo is a very good zoo with a great Americas-focused collection and featuring an awesome aviary, which actually might be one of my favorites.
Virginia Zoo (Norfolk, VA) - This zoo is very good, but also very middle-of-the-road. It sports three main exhibit complexes that vary quality, having great exhibits, but an unremarkable collection (Okavango Delta), vice versa (World of Reptiles), or a bit of both (Trail of the Tiger). It's still a decent zoo that got a full day out of me.
Virginia Living Museum (Newport News, VA) - This is overall a very solid native-focused facility. In spite of its name, it focuses heavily on live animal exhibits, and sports a diverse collection of native creatures from the mountains to the sea. The two floors in the museum as well as the nature trail provide some excellent variety, and there are some really nice exhibits here as well. That said, the museum definitely gave off vibes that its best days were behind it.
Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ) - My first new credit of 2024, I honestly did not have high expectations for this place going in, owing to its history and highly-unusual all-indoor Hippo exhibit. But this aquarium managed to exceed my expectations and even pleasantly surprise me. That's not to say that it doesn't have flaws; it most certainly does, but it's still a very enjoyable aquarium that managed to get a full day from me.
Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park (Tampa, FL) - This zoo is an extreme mixed bag if there was ever one. On the one hand, it sports one of the more interesting and unique collections of wildlife I have seen, with lots of rarities and surprises. On the other hand, the exhibitry really left a LOT to be desired, with an overreliance on unnatural, unsightly barriers and some strange design choices. In addition, some areas were just straight up underwhelming or even disappointing, like their aviary.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) - This zoo may not be the largest or feature the most interesting collection, but it's a very solid quality-over-quantity zoo with a geographical focus that managed to impress me with its high quality exhibits. Highlights include one of the best penguin exhibits I have seen, an excellent native wildlife complex, and a rather unique chimpanzee exhibit.
Sylvan Heights Bird Park (Scotland Neck, NC) - To this day, Sylvan Heights remains my #1 unaccredited facility. The bird collection here, especially the waterfowl, is unmatched and highly unique with plenty of rarities and surprises. The multitude of walk-through aviaries, the charming natural setting, and its flexible operations make this a highly-prized day trip destination of mine.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center (Virginia Beach, VA) - Of the 3 facilities in Virginia I visited back in 2023, this one was undoubtedly the best. In spite of what I've mentioned in my review thread regarding its operations, I still think this is a very good aquarium overall. It sports an interesting collection, mostly thanks to the Restless Planet gallery, an excellent location, and some unique features. I had a great time here, and that was just with the North Building open.
Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro, NC) - This facility has definitely slipped a bit in my rankings, with the biggest reason being that their collection took a hit when they closed the Herpetarium and the Discovery House (as well as some major signage issues that the center did address). That being said, they have the extremely promising rain forest exhibit coming in 2026, which is sure to impress. In the meantime, the facility is still enjoyable thanks to its solid and diverse lineup.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (Columbia, SC) - I was pleasantly surprised by the mid-sized zoo right on the Saluda river when I visited in 2023. That said, it's a very mid-tier zoo where bad parts (such as the Conservation Outpost and grottoes) are balanced out by some really solid exhibits (ARC, birdhouse, gorilla exhibit). The gardens and nature trail located across the river really give this zoo a unique vibe.
Central Park Zoo (New York, NY) - This may be the smallest of the WCS facilities, but it manages to impress in just about every aspect, from its focus on biomes, to its excellent and naturalistic exhibits, to its surprisingly robust and hard-hitting collection with lots of rarities and standouts to boot. Even the Children's Zoo manages to hold strong in its own right.
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC) - What can I say about this zoo that hasn't been stated already? It's still a quality zoo that gives me an enjoyable experience every time I visit. Its collection may be devoid of rarities or standouts, but it more than makes up for it in presentation and exhibit quality, which is among the best. That being said, this zoo is starting to slip a bit in my rankings, but the upcoming Asia exhibit might have something to say about that.
New York Aquarium (Brooklyn, NY) - This aquarium benefits largely from the usual craftsmanship and high quality presentation that defines the WCS. This is an excellent aquarium all-around that some interesting exhibit designs and a great location. The one thing that holds it back is that it is lacking in rarities or standouts.
Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia, PA) - I seem to have a much more positive outlook of this zoo that others, but I really enjoyed my visit to this old zoo back in April and was thrilled by what was on offer. The zoo sports a very solid collection and some of the most interesting exhibit concepts I have seen, including the awe-inspiring Zoo360 Trail system. I even found the Primate Center to be a good exhibit in spite of its complete lack of naturalism, just because I found it to be executed so well otherwise.
Disney's Animal Kingdom (Bay Lake, FL) - I am not a theme park person by any means, but Animal Kingdom nonetheless managed to deliver an excellent experience that impressed me around every corner. Disney spares no expense when it comes to theming and immersion, and it really shows. Its exhibits are top-notch, including sporting one of the best Gorilla exhibits I have seen (2nd only to Bronx), and its collection, while far from the strongest, still sports an excellent diversity of exotic species with several rarities and standouts. I am disappointed that the park's newer developments have left the "zoo" in the rear view mirror, but I still consider DAK a high quality experience.
SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, FL) - SeaWorld just edges out DAK for me, and I would prefer this facility if I had to choose. While I am by no means a theme park person and Disney's rides appeal more to me that SeaWorld's, I find that SeaWorld places a larger emphasis on their animal exhibits and there was just more to see there. It helps that a good chunk of their collection isn't locked behind any rides. I especially found their Penguin, Shark, and Sea Turtle exhibits to be exceptional.
Florida Aquarium (Tampa, FL) - I still fondly remember my January 2022 visit to this facility and being extremely impressed by what it had to offer, to the point where it's my 2nd favorite Florida facility. Wetlands of Florida is one of my favorite exhibits, and their Coral Reef tank was highly impressive for its design. They may not have the most outstanding collection, but the presentation was very solid throughout, with their Madagascar exhibit being the only true weak spot.
Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) - Overall, Zoo Atlanta is a very high quality zoo propped up by some very exceptional exhibits, including Slimy Scaly Spectacular (which remains my favorite reptile house), their excellent primate exhibits, and a very solid Asia complex. Their new Africa region is fairly solid. Not every area of this zoo impresses (like their bird exhibits or the children's zoo), but it's still a great zoo nonetheless.
Smithsonian National Zoo (Washington, D.C.) - Even if there are parts of this zoo that are less-than-stellar (the Reptile and Great Ape houses especially), this is still an exceptional and high-tier zoo in my opinion. It features an excellent and diverse collection, some great exhibits (Asia Trail, American Trail, Birdhouse, Amazonia), excellent use of landscaping that creates for some really interesting exhibits, and longer operating hours that give me even more time to soak it all in. Plus, it's free!
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Jacksonville, FL) - I only got to spend half a day here, as my visit was improvised (I planned to skip this, but I found myself reaching Jacksonville far earlier than anticipated). But that half day was all that was needed to solidify Jacksonville's place high up in my rankings. This is an excellent zoo all-around; great collection, great landscaping, lots of variety, and some unique features, like a trio of geography-focused reptile houses.
Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, GA) - Georgia Aquarium definitely lives up to the hype in my opinion, and I found this place to be thoroughly enjoyable and impressive when I last visited back in May 2022. It's got a very unique and diverse collection, and some of the most impressive aquatic habitats in the aquarium world. While it definitely has some weak spots (such as their Sea Lion exhibit), it is still an excellent aquarium and a must-see for anyone visiting Atlanta. Besides, the aquarium is open for up to 12 hours in a day, and that was definitely fun to do.
Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga, TN) - I instantly feel in love with this aquarium the moment I first traversed the exhibits in its River Journey building. This is one of the most unique facilities I have visited, thanks to its focus on freshwater environments and huge collection of freshwater fish and other wildlife that you won't find in other facilities. Even the Ocean Journey building is no slouch either, as it features one of my favorite underwater tunnels. And of course, I can't talk about this facility without mentioning its superb turtle collection. The only reason the National Aquarium nabbed the top spot over this was due to their more restrictive operating hours.
National Aquarium in Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) - This is currently my #1 aquarium. I spent 12 hours here back in May and was thoroughly impressed by every second of it, from its extremely rarity-loaded collection to its amazing exhibits. The Australia exhibit in particular is what cemented my love for this place, and that remains one of my all-time favorite exhibits. I wasn't sure if I would put this above Tennessee or vice versa, but National Aquarium's long operating hours pushed it over the edge for me.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE) - For the longest time, I had this as my #1 zoo. I visited this place back in August 2017 (when fate gave me a free day on a business trip) and this zoo has last an everlasting impression on me. I was extremely impressed by their exhibits and collection, even taking into account some weak areas (that the zoo seems to have dealt with). NC Zoo may have been the zoo that worked up my interest in the hobby, but Omaha was the spark that lit the flame. I almost wanted to keep it in the top spot due to its operations and innovative exhibits, but the exhibitry from the gold medalist was just too good to not consider.
(Best) Bronx Zoo (New York, NY) - I got to revisit this zoo back in June, as my last visit was well over 2 decades ago as a kid. It didn't take long for me to know that this zoo would shoot straight to the top of my rankings, and by the end of my first day (of three) at the zoo, Bronx secured the gold medal. This is now my #1 zoo. Superb collection, excellent exhibitry, lots of historic value, extremely immersive exhibits, and not to mention, this place is huge. There was so much to see and do that I couldn't do it all in one day. So I did three! That being said, it only barely manages to top Omaha due to one major flaw; their operating hours. I will be posting a review of this zoo soon where I will go into more detail.
The following two facilities are museums that feature a live-animal collection. Unlike the museums I included in my main rankings, these museums only have a small collection of mainly invertebrates, and they make up only a small part of the overall experience. Because of this, I could not fit them into my main ranking.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.)
American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)
Both museums are fantastic, but the American Museum of Natural History in New York easily takes the cake here. It's just an extraordinary facility overall.
The following facilities are mainly nature centers where, like the museums above, the live animal collection is only a small part of the overall experience (and aren't even the main attraction). Thus, I didn't think it was fair to rank them next to all the zoos and aquariums.
Lakota Wolf Preserve (Columbia, NJ) - This facility is rather small (with just 4 species in its care) and requires reserving a spot on a tour to visit. They do provide good care to their animals and the tour was informative, but I honestly don't think its worth going out of your way for.
North Carolina Estuarium (Washington, NC) - In all honesty, I thought this place was a letdown. There are only a few animal exhibits, and I visited shortly before Halloween, so the entire place was decked out in decorations that detracted from the (rather good) museum-like exhibits. It does have a very nice location with some good wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Walnut Creek Wetland Center (Raleigh, NC) - This is a fairly small park and center, with only a handful of native species displayed, but it's actually a pretty neat place to visit. It also gives access to Raleigh's network of hiking trails, which provide some unique wildlife viewing.
Clark Park Nature Center (Fayetteville, NC) - Unlike other nature centers I have visited, this one actually incorporates a few exotic animals, including an African Clawed Frog and a Blue-tongued Skink. The center also has a nice display of natural artifacts as well. The park it is a part of is alright.
Howell Woods Environmental Center (Four Oaks, NC) - This nature center is operated by the nearby Johnston Community College and features a large network of trails as well as a nature center with native reptiles, amphibians, and even a handful of raptors. The nature center itself is alright, but the park it is a part of is overall a very nice place to hike and has some unique features.
And lastly, the following are facilities that I only visited as a kid, and have yet to revisit since I got into this hobby (and one of them is permanently closed, to boot). These rankings will be a bit more loose, as I am mainly going off of memory here.
Long Island Reptile Museum (Hicksville, NY)- This place is permanently closed, so I will never get to revisit it. But that might be for the better, as I have heard this was a very problematic facility from the moment it opened its doors up until it closed the year my family moved to NC.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA) - I was hesitant to even include this place, as its live animal collection is paltry. That said, when I visited this place in July 2009, I saw Guira Cuckoos, Kookaburras, and Wolves. I am unlikely to revisit this place.
Long Island Game Farm (Manorville, NY) - I barely have any memory of this place; all I remember is that it had some North American wildlife like bison and turkeys, but it seems to now have exotic animals like Giraffes. Not sure what to think of it.
Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center (Riverhead, NY) - When I last visited this aquarium, it was still known as Atlantis Marine World. It might have been a decent aquarium held back by its very gimmick presentation, but it seems to have changed so much, that I can't really make a judgement on this place until I revisit.
Audobon Aquarium (New Orleans, LA) - I visited this facility back in November 2003, and unfortunately, I don't really remember much of it at all. That said, it does look like a nice aquarium and I hope to revisit it someday.
I thought I had posted a list here more recently, must have been a different thread. Still, new updates!
#1. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
#2. Kansas City Zoo
#3. Saint Louis Zoo
#4. Denver Zoo
#5. Toledo Zoo
#6. Binder Park Zoo
#7. Indianapolis Zoo
#8. Smithsonian National Zoo
#9. Lincoln Park Zoo
#10. Brookfield Zoo
#11. Milwaukee County Zoo
#12. Henson Robinson Zoo
#13. Racine Zoo
Some of this was really tough. I haven't been to Smithsonian in such a long time I'm not sure I felt comfortable ranking it, and I was only able to stop at Detroit for about an hour so I saw too little to rank it. I think Saint Louis could reclaim from Kansas City on a future visit but we'll see. Brookfield is getting back up over Milwaukee thanks to Bramsen Tropical Forests and the updated Swamp building. The top six and bottom four were easy, but the three in the middle could really jump around. I always feel bad putting Racine at the bottom, maybe I need to stop at an awful roadside somewhere so I can feel good putting something else at the bottom.
I'm from Australia, so I haven't been to many, but my list is:
1. San Diego Safari Park
2. Columbus Zoo
3. San Diego Zoo
4. National Aviary
5. San Antonio Zoo
6. Pittsburgh Zoo
7. LA Zoo
Columbus Zoo is slept on! It has an incredible species list (so many species not held in Australia at all: wolverine, black bear, lynx, markhor, pallas cat, moose, trumpeter swans, wolves... the list is endless!) and the scenery and theming are beautiful. We travelled to Columbus just to visit, and it was well worth it.
I agree, it is top on my list, just edging out SDZ. Although, it has been a bit since I was at SDZ, I might go back at the end of this year. Louisville is also a zoo that gets slept on, it is really quite nice and doesn't get the crowds that other places do.
Okay, last update for the year, I really mean it this time. No travel planned until spring. The last trip was hasty and a surprise, and a little poorly planned.
#1. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
#2. Kansas City Zoo
#3. Saint Louis Zoo
#4. Denver Zoo
#5. Toledo Zoo
#6. Binder Park Zoo
#7. Zoo Atlanta
#8. Indianapolis Zoo
#9. Smithsonian National Zoo
#10. Lincoln Park Zoo
#11. Brookfield Zoo
#12. Milwaukee County Zoo
#13. Henson Robinson Zoo
#14. Racine Zoo
#unranked. Detroit Zoo
Besides the Smithsonian, I have visited all of these facilities within the last three years. I have not made it for a full visit to Detroit from previous report. The newcomer is Atlanta, which really impressed with it's quality for its size, although it, Indianapolis and Lincoln Park are all fairly close for me. Smithsonian feels like an odd man in the middle right now - just an odd case where anywhere higher or lower feels wrong, without me understanding my reason.
My global list is now twenty zoos plus three aquariums!
