List and Rank The North American Zoos You Have Visited!

Traditional Zoos:
1) Columbus Zoo (July 2010)
2) Cincinnati Zoo (November 2010)
3) Memphis Zoo (April 2006)
4) Cleveland Zoo (July 2007)
5) Louisville Zoo (August 2005)

Open-Range Zoos:
1) The Wilds ( July 2007)

Aquariums:
1) Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (November 2009)
2) Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach (September 2000)
3) Newport Aquarium ( April 2008)
 
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Here's mine!
Zoos-
1.)Dallas zoo
2.) Woodland park zoo
3.) Fort worth zoo
4.)Tampa Lowry Park zoo
5.) Cameron park zoo
6.)Tacoma-point defiance zoo
7.)Caldwell zoo
8.)Miami Metro zoo
9.) Frank buck zoo
10.) San Antonio zoo
11.) State of Texas zoo

Aquariums-
1.) Dallas world Aquarium
2.) Galveston Aquarium
3.) Dallas Childrens Aquarium

Parks-
1.) Disney Animal Kingdom
2.) Busch Gardens Tampa bay
3.)Sea world San Antonio

Drive through-
1.) Fossil rim
2.) Natural Bridge
 
Blackduiker

Blackduiker said:
1. San Diego Zoo 9.5
2. Seattle Woodland Park Zoo 9.3
3. Disney's Animal Kingdom 9.3
4. San Diego Wild Animal Park 9.2
5. St. Louis Zoo 8
6. Phoenix Zoo 7.5
7. Los Angeles Zoo 7.3
8. The Living Desert Zoo 7.1
9. Lion Country Safari California (Closed). 7.1
10. Honolulu Zoo 7
11. Santa Barbara Zoo 7
12. San Francisco Zoo 6.7
13. Sacramento Zoo 6.6
14. Los Angeles County Natural History Museum Insect Zoo 5.7
15. Santa Ana Zoo 4
16. Las Vegas South Florida Zoo 2.6
17. Vancouver Stanley Park Children's Zoo 2.5
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I'm shocked that after 6 months since first posting, no one has commented on my glaring error of #16. "The Las Vegas South "Florida" Zoo. Which should be the Las Vegas South Nevada Zoo. Geographic mix up. :o
 
I mainly focus on aquariums, so my zoo list pretty pathetic

Zoos
1) Smithsonian National Zoo
2) Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
3) Woodland Park Zoo - distant memory
4) Philadelphia Zoo
5) Pittsburgh Zoo

Aquariums
1) National Aquarium, Baltimore
2) Monetery Bay Aquarium
3) Shedd Aquarium
4) New England Aquarium
5) Mystic Aquarium
6) Seattle Aquarium
7) Georgia Aquarium
8) Tennessee Aquarium
9) PPG Aquarium (inside the Pittsburgh Zoo)
10) Adventure Aquarium in Camden
11) National Aquarium, Washington D.C. (this will change when they open the new aquarium)
12) Sea World
 
geomorph said:
NAIB Volunteer, which SeaWorld have you visited?
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Orlando and I hated every minute of it! Hated the rides, the people, and the shows!
It was a crowded summer day, so you can just imagine. I guess I'm used to a different presentation of animals in their exhibits and I wasn't really expecting a whole lot anyway. The orcas were really cool though.
 
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If you don't mind I am just going to list the zoos, because I can't find the hear to rank them as I find it unfair to the smaller Zoos, I also tend to treat each exhibit at each Zoo I visit as an experience in itself. These are only the places I have visited since moving to California back in 2002 as that was when I began my photo archive.

(Zoos)

-Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA (Also first Zoo I visited as a child)
-Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NYC, NY
-Central Park Zoo, Manhattan, NYC, NY
-Charles Paddock Zoo, Atascadero, CA
-Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, CA
-Henry Doorly Zoo & Scott Aquarium, Omaha, NE
-Living Desert Zoo, Palm Desert, CA
-Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA
-Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, CA
-Orange County Zoo, Orange, CA
-Pittsburgh Zoo & PNC Aquarium, Pittsburgh CA (site of first date with current fiancee)
-San Diego Wild Animal Park/Safari Park, Escondido, CA
-San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA (member of)
-Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana, CA (member of)
-Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara CA

(Aquariums)

-Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA (Former Volunteer)
-Birch Aquarium, San Diego, CA
-Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA (Former Intern)
-Sea Life Aquarium, Carlsbad, CA (Former Employee)
-Sea World San Diego, San Diego, CA
-Ty Warner Sea Center, Santa Barbara, CA
-Underwater Adventures, Bloomington, Minnesota (inside Mall of America, soon to be rebranded as a Sea Life Aquarium)

(Others)

-Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach, CA (rehab facility for sick or injured marine mammals, currently rebuilding after mudslide and flood damage)
-Prehistoric Pets "Reptile Zoo", Fountain Valley, CA (private pet store with reptile displays)
-Hubbs Hatchery, Carslbad, CA (breeds White Seabass for release into ocean)


Prior to starting my archive I visited Lincoln Park Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, St. Louis Zoo, Sea World Orlando, National Aquarium in Baltimore, NAtional Zoo in DC, Aquarium in DC, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago,
 
Updated after a trip to Chicago

1. St. Louis Zoo (St. Louis, MO)
2. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE)
3. Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)
4. Sedgwick County Zoo (Witchita, KS)
5. Kansas City Zoo (Kansas City, MO)
6. Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL)
7. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, CO)
8. Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia, PA)
9. National Zoo (Washington D.C.)
10. Topeka Zoo (Topeka, KS)
11. Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga, TN)
12. David Traylor Zoo (Emporia, KS)

Aquariums
1. Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL)
2. National Aquarium in Baltimore (Baltimore, MD)
3. Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga, TN)
4. Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ)
5. New England Aquarium (Boston, MA)

Red = New Institution
 
After having visited a few more zoos I'll post my list for all the zoos in North America I have been to followed by the year of my most recent visit.

1. Bronx Zoo (2011)
2. San Diego Zoo (2009)
3. San Diego Zoo's Safari Park (2009)
4. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (2011)
5. Columbus Zoo (2009)
6. Dallas Zoo (2011)
7. Brookfield Zoo (2006)
8. Disney's Animal Kingdom (2007)
9. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2011)
10. Zoo Miami (2009)
11. Memphis Zoo (2011)
12. Toledo Zoo (2008)
13. Los Angeles Zoo (2007)
14. Pittsburgh Zoo (2008)
15. Birmingham Zoo (2011)
16. Lowry Park Zoo (2008)
17. Naples Zoo (2003)
18. Erie Zoo (2010)

Just wondering has anyone seen Trails of Africa at the Birmingham Zoo? It reallyis fantastic and one of the best elephant exhibits I have seen. Although I don't know how large the main outdoor yard is, it certainly atleast 2-3 acres and is filled with grass, trees, mud etc. and even has two pools so overall it really is pretty spectacular and I think it will really help put Birmingham Zoo on the map.

Also my placement of Cleveland so high is a little biased although anyone who hasn't seen African Elephant Crossing yet should definitely come see it. Probably one of the most active group of elephants you will see.
 
Reviewed my list, here's how it is, as of now :)

1.) Saint Louis zoo (2011)
2.) Dallas Zoo (2011)
3.) Woodland Park Zoo (2003)
4.) Fort worth zoo (2010)
5.)Tampa Lowry Park zoo (2000)
6.) Cameron Park zoo (2009)
7.) Point Defiance zoo (2003)
8.) Caldwell zoo (2008)
9.) Frank Buck zoo (2009)
10.) Austin zoo (2008)
11.) San Antonio zoo (2007)

Parks:
1.) Disney AK (2005)
2.) Seaworld San Antonio (2006)
3.) Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2001)
4.) Grant's farm (2011)

Aquariums:
1.)Dallas World Aquarium (2011)
2.)Galveston Aquarium (2007)
3.) Seattle Aquarium (2003)
4.)Dallas children's Aquarium (2011)
5.) Miami Seaquarium (2001)


* Have also been to Miami Metro zoo, but don't remember it enough to properly place it.
 
We have been to quite a few zoos this year as well so I am going to update my rankings as well

1.Bronx Zoo 2011
2.SD Zoo 2006
3.Columbus Zoo 2011
4.North Carolina Zoo 2011
5.Dallas Zoo 2010
6.Toronto Zoo 2009
7.Woodland Park Seattle 2001
8.Brookfield Zoo Chicago 2010
9.Miami Metro Zoo 2008
10.National Zoo 2011
11.Bucsh Gardens Tampa 2009
12.Fort Worth Zoo 2011
13.Houston Zoo 2004
14.Memphis Zoo 2007
15.St Louis Zoo 2003
16.Louisville Zoo 2011
17.Cincinnati Zoo 2011
18.Lowry Park Tampa 2009
19.Detroit Zoo 2010
21.Virginia Zoo 2011
22.Cleveland Zoo 2011
23.Nashville Zoo 2006
24.Milwaukee Zoo 2010
25.Maryland Zoo 2011
26. Philadelphia Zoo 2011
27.Pittsburgh Zoo 2011
28. Buffalo Zoo 2010
29.Akron Zoo 2011
30. Erie Zoo 2010
31 San Antonio Zoo 2004

Aquariums

1. Shedd 2010
2.National Baltimore 2011
3.Seattle 2001
4.Dallas World Aquarium 2010
5.Newport 2009

Wow it really gets hard to rank these once you get to about the middle of the pack

Marty of Team Tapir
 
Since I've been to a few more zoos in the last year:

1.) Columbus Zoo (2010)
2.) Cleveland Zoo (2010)
3.) Buffalo Zoo (2003-2011)
4.) Seneca Park Zoo (90's-2011)
5.) Smithsonian National Zoo (2011)
6.) Toronto Zoo (2007-2010)
9.) Erie Zoo (2010)
10.) Maryland Zoo (2011)
11.) Philadelphia Zoo (2011)
12.) Pittsburgh Zoo (2010)
13.) Rosamond Gifford Zoo (2010)
13.) Zoo America (1995)
14.) Binghamton Zoo (2005)
 
groundskeeper24 said:
Here goes.

Bronx
Woodland Park
SDWAP
San Diego Wild Animal Park
St Louis
Columbus
Detroit
Toronto
Los Angeles
Brookfield
Audubon
Philadelphia
Cincinnati
Oakland
Nashville
Cleveland
Denver
Indianapolis
Louisville
Fort Wayne
Toledo
Central Park
Lincoln Park
Kings Island Wild Animal Habitat
San Francisco
Knoxville


Aquaria

Shedd.
Monterey Bay
Old Steinhart (wasn't great, just good memories, so it ranks high for me)
Seattle
New England Aquarium
Sea World SD
Virginia Aquarium
Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans
Newport Aquarium
Downtown Aquarium, Denver
Adventure Aquarium, Camden, NJ
Washington DC Aquarium (tiny basement in DC, not NAIB)
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After visiting Busch Gardens and Lowry Park, I'd probably put Busch in my top ten. It would more than likely rank near the back of the top ten, but IMO Edge of Africa and the Serengeti plains exhibit are absolutely top notch. Myombe is also very, very good.

Lowry would rank lower. Probably in the early 20s. It's a good collection, but the second-rate kid-themed Australian section was off putting, as were some parts of the Florida themed area. Disneyfication is one thing, but bland and boring Disneyfication is just sad. They did have an excellent African section with one of the best elephant enclosures I've seen.
 
My list is:
1. Bronx Zoo
2. Busch Gardens Tampa (animal sections)
3. Disneyworld (animal sections)
4. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
5. Central Park Zoo
6. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
7. Southwick's Zoo

And for aquariums:
1. Mystic Aquarium
2. Mote Aquarium
3. Maritime Aquarium
 
Here's my list along with the year that I visited.

1. Columbus Zoo (2008)
2. Brookfield Zoo (2010)
3. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2008)
4. Out of Africa (2011)
5. Disney's Animal Kingdom (2008)
6. Phoenix Zoo (2010)
7. Buffalo Zoo (2011)
8. The Wilds (2008)
9. Milwaukee County Zoo (2010)
10. Racine Zoo (2009)
11. Henry Vilas Zoo (2010)
12. National Zoo (2009)

I also visited the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo (NEW Zoo) in Green Bay. However, that was a long time ago and don't remember it real well. So, I won't rank it.

By the way, this is my very 1st post! :)
 
Just joined the forums, so I figured there's probably no better way to start than to go ahead and rank our experiences...all visits have been within the past four years.


1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
3. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
4. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
5. Disney's Animal Kindgom
6. Akron Zoo
7. Toledo Zoo
8. Erie Zoo (PA)
9. Indianapolis Zoo



Obviously a small, and very regional list. The missus and I now plan our vacations around Zoos we'd like to see, so hopefully it will soon grow by leaps and bounds!
 
Hungry Hippo said:
Just joined the forums, so I figured there's probably no better way to start than to go ahead and rank our experiences...all visits have been within the past four years.


1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
3. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
4. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
5. Disney's Animal Kindgom
6. Akron Zoo
7. Toledo Zoo
8. Erie Zoo (PA)
9. Indianapolis Zoo



Obviously a small, and very regional list. The missus and I now plan our vacations around Zoos we'd like to see, so hopefully it will soon grow by leaps and bounds!
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Cincinatti above Columbus? Any particular reason for this? And why is Indianapolis in last place. Thanks :)
 
Now it's a matter of remembering what zoo's I've been to...
This is hard....My list may be bias slightly due to animals that zoos have... (if you have hornbills your rating may go up. But despite that most zoos that have hornbills are pretty neat)



Albuquerque Bio Park (Zoo part only)
Denver Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo
San Fransisco Zoo
Tracy Aviary
Oregon Zoo (Home zoo, but not #1)
Winston Wildlife Safari
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Newport Aquarium (Oregon one)
Northwest Trek (Would be better if the tram were not on a time where you have to go or you lose your chance. But I suppose there is a purpose for this method)
Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center (It's hard to place this one because they only have three exhibits, with a future habitat in the future being built. But it is a very nice place to see the animals that are not normally seen all the time in the park.)
Hogle Zoo
Boise Zoo (need to see their new exhibit)
Pueblo Zoo
World Center for Birds of Prey
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (A revisit is much needed. Most of their animals were inside because I visited in the winter. So I was walking through a CLOUD through the entire visit. A spring visit I'm sure would yield a higher rating.)
Zoo Montana (Has sadly lost accreditation)
Pocatello Zoo (non AZA accredited, but I think they may be working to gain accreditation)
Yellowstone Bear World (I don't remember much about it. You drove through it, kinda like Yellowstone but animals were pretty much going to see. And a petting portion as involved)
Bandon Safari Park (NOT A ZOO! It's a Rode Side Abomination (IMO))

And I think those are all the places that I've visited. Save for Sea World when I was really little. San Antonio Zoo may be in my future.
And I'm still waiting to see what the big fuzz over San Diego Zoo is. They do however seem to have a LOT of animals. Every animal that I could think of that I'd want to see, they most likely have. I'll have to sell my soul for admission though...yeesh it's expensive and they're not even on the reciprocal list.
 
KCZooFan said:
Cincinatti above Columbus? Any particular reason for this? And why is Indianapolis in last place. Thanks :)
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As for Cincy Vs. Columbus, I think a lot of it has to do with "flow." There just seems to be a lot of extra walking between regions in Columbus...you can't turn around at Cincinnati without seeing something. Also, I think their Rhinoceros collection is very impressive. Not to speak ill of Columbus, of course. I do quite enjoy their "North America" section, particularly the bear collection and wolverine exhibit (the new Polar Bear section is very well done).

I didn't use an arbitrary points system like some folks, but if I had it would reflect the two being very close in quality.


Indianapolis? I dunno...I just wasn't all that impressed. The dolphin exhibit/show has a lot of untapped potential. I was there in the spring of last year...I've heard that they've since eliminated the "Encounters" area in favor of an island/tropic biome. If that's true it's a big step in the right direction. Is not a zoo I wouldn't go back to, just one with plenty of room for improvement.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the restrooms in Indy are atrocious (at least when we visited, anyway)
 
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