Proposed Road Trip SE USA - advice please

MRJ

MRJ

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Premium Member
I am looking at a possible road trip next March. At this stage it would probably be from Washington to New Orleans, possibly via Savanna Ga.

Keeping in mind that I am a zoo professional from Australia I would like to visit zoos where I could learn something I could take back to my park (a smaller Australian natives only wildlife park). So while it might be nice to see the worlds best African Savanna exhibit it would not be a reason for me to visit. I'm interested in visiting zoos that display excellence in:
  • Smaller exhibits
  • Small mammals
  • Birds
  • Indiginious American species
  • Interpretation
  • Presentations and shows
  • Animal encounters
We are very much in the early planning stages with no fixed itinerary, so any and all suggestions appreciated.
 
If you mean Washington, D.C. (as I think you do, but just to clarify) then I think a good route for your way south would be through Norfolk. The Virginia Living Museum focuses on native species, big and small. The Virginia Aquarium also has a nice native section, with newer renovations branching out to other areas of the world. The Virginia Zoo would also be worth a visit while in the area.
 
jayjds2 said:
If you mean Washington, D.C. (as I think you do, but just to clarify) then I think a good route for your way south would be through Norfolk. The Virginia Living Museum focuses on native species, big and small. The Virginia Aquarium also has a nice native section, with newer renovations branching out to other areas of the world. The Virginia Zoo would also be worth a visit while in the area.
Click to expand...

Sorry, yes Washington DC. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
In between Washington D.C. and New Orleans, I would try to see the zoos in Nashville, TN, and Memphis, TN. Nashville is a smaller zoo with every exhibit being very well done. Memphis is a 100+ yr old zoo that has adapted and evolved over the years into a very modern zoo and considered by many to be one of the best in the country. Memphis also is very efficient, meaning there is very little area that doesn't have an exhibit of some kind. If I was making this trip I would try to see the following; (not meant to be all inclusive)

Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington D.C.
North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
Nashville Zoo, Nashville, TN
Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN
Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA
Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans, LA

I'm sure each place would spark an idea or two that you can use as each one is different and unique.
 
Also consider any of these collections:

Flint Riverquarium (Albany, GA)
Oatland Island Wildlife Center (Savannah, GA)
Alexandria Zoo (Alexandria, LA)
Audubon Insectarium (New Orleans, LA)
Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro, NC)
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park (Scotland Neck, NC)
Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia, SC)
Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga, TN)
Maymont Foundation (Richmond, VA)
 
I'm excited to hear that you are coming back to the USA for another road trip and March is a good time for the venture as you'll likely beat the heatwave of the summer months. Before taking a look at any proposed itinerary, how long will you be travelling for? Are you wanting to see one big zoo each day or would days of multiple smaller zoos be your preference? Once you have a timeline then I'm more than willing to add to the already excellent suggestions put forth by fellow ZooChatters. I've visited close to 300 of the 700 zoos/aquariums in the USA and I'd love to help plan a trip for you.
 
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