Top Zoos in the US You Don’t Want to Miss

Zoos have been captivating audiences for centuries, with their origins tracking back to ancient Egypt. It's believed that Queen Hatshepsut established the first public animal exhibit in 1480 BCE. The innate curiosity humans -- both adults and children -- have for animals has made zoos enduringly popular. Today, they continue to draw massive crowds, with over 700 million people visiting zoos worldwide annually. In the United States alone, these wildlife parks welcome approximately 181 million visitors each year.

These animal parks are the perfect opportunity to spend time with your family and learn about various animal species from around the world. The United States has over 400 zoos to explore but there are a handful that have a reputation for going above and beyond to care for animals, save endangered species, and create special breeding programs.

In this article, we have prepared an ultimate guide to the best zoos in the U.S. that everyone should visit at least once along with a brief explanation of what makes them so special.

2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106, USA

Established in 1992 as a nonprofit organization ZooMontana is 70 acres and is Montana’s only zoo and botanical park. At this time, it supports 100 animals, representing 58 species, and receives over 160,000 visitors annually.

Major exhibits include the Asia Region, which begins with the wolves; the path splits and becomes a nature path; the other splits and goes towards the red panda and Siberian tiger. The North American Region has habitats for the river otter, grizzly bear, wolf, and bighorn sheep.

The Living Wall has habitats that include animals from Africa, South America, and other parts of the world. The Barn is home to domestic animals such as rabbits and Belgian draft horses. The zoo has nine gorgeous botanical gardens for you to walk through and experience the natural beauty of the zoo.

During the summer, ZooMontana holds free movie nights. Other activities include camps, scavenger hunts, and craft activities. Zoo Montana also has an amphitheater, a nature shop, a playground, and a picnic area. The Wild Affair tickets are available at the retail store and include a cocktail hour walk through the zoo, silent and live auctions, memorable animal encounters, and dinner.

3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107, USA

Established in 1894, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium spans over 160 acres and features over 962 species. TripAdvisor rated it as one of the best zoos in America, and everyone should visit it at least once. With over 2 million visitors annually, this world-class zoo can easily take the whole day to go through all the exhibits and attractions.

The zoo and aquarium have 13 major exhibits:

1. Hubbard Orangutan Forest: Here you can engage in an educational experience and learn about the Siamangs and Bornean orangutans. In addition, guests can enjoy light snacks and drinks, a specialty gift shop at Claire’s Falls, and a play area.
2. Asian Highlands
3. Owen Sea Lion
4. Scott African Grasslands
5. Bay Family Children's Adventure Trails
6. Dick and Mary Holland Meadowlark Theater
7. Desert Dome
8. Eugene T. Mahoney, Kingdoms of the Night
9. Lied Jungle
10. Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium
11. Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion
12. Hubbard Expedition Madagascar
13. Hubbard Gorilla Valley

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium offers guests other attractions and different ways to view the zoo. Weather permitting, guests can travel through the zoo by:

• Lozier Giant Screen Theater
• Stingray Beach
• Scott Alaskan Adventure
• Sue's Carousel
• Train
• Skyfari
• Giraffe Encounter

3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden was founded in 1873 and is the second oldest zoo in the United States. The zoo is 75 acres and home to 500 species, approximately 1,900 animals, and 3,000 plant species.

During its time in operation, it carried out many breeding programs and was the first zoo to successfully breed the American bison and California sea lion in 1878. As one of the best zoos in America, it attracts over 1.2 million visitors annually.

Enjoy a day with the family at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and experience eating breakfast with lions, hippos, and more. With so many animals to see in this zoo including Fiona the world-famous hippo, everyone is bound to have a great day. The zoo includes the following habitats:

• Africa
• African Penguin Point
• Bald Eagle Habitat
• Birds of the World
• Cat Canyon
• Cheetah Encounter
• Children's Zoo
• Dragons
• Eagle Free Flight Aviary
• Education Programs
• Elephant Reserve
• Elephant Trek (opening in 2024)
• Free Flight Aviary
• Galapagos Tortoise Yard
• Gibbon Island
• Gorilla World
• Jungle Trails
• Lemur Lookout
• Manatee Springs
• Night Hunters
• North America
• P&G Discovery Forest
• Red Panda
• Reptile House
• Rhino Reserve
• Roo Valley
• Swan Lake
• Wings of Wonder
• Wolf Woods
• World of the Insect

There are also two gift shops. The main zoo shop is in Vine Street Village, and you can also order gifts at the Cincinnati Zoo Gift Shop online store. There are a variety of restaurants and food trucks to dine at where you can enjoy craft beer, pizza, hamburgers, chicken tenders, tacos, cakes, ice cream, and more.

2929 Zoo Drive Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101

It’s no surprise that San Diego Zoo is on the list. On TripAdvisor, it still ranks as one of the best zoos in America that everyone should visit at least once. The 100 acres of land are home to more than 12,000 animals of more than 700 species and subspecies and attract more than 4 million zoo fans each year.

Over the years there have been a couple of notable animals that have escaped. A Bornean orangutan named Ken Allen became the most popular at the zoo. He was nicknamed “the hairy Houdini” for his many escapes.

Here are six unique exhibits that are a must-see at the zoo.

1. Clouded Leopards
2. Tree Kangaroos
3. Pygmy Hippos
4. Red Pandas
5. African and Asian Elephants
6. Vervet Monkeys

Visitors at the zoo can also experience:

• 4D Theatres
• Botanical Tours
• Guided Bus Tours
• Balboa Park Miniature Train Ride
• Skyfari Areal Tram

Three children’s play areas are the Tree of Dreams, the Polar play area, and the Elephant Play Yard. Youth programs include summer camp and zoo corps.

In addition to the activities, guests can feast at the main restaurant or choose from 29 other eateries. Alternatively, if you want to save on eating out, you can pack your own snacks and take them in with you. With over 13 stores at San Diego Zoo, I’m sure you will find some amazing souvenirs to take home.

2300 Steele St. Denver, CO 80205

This nonprofit conservation society and zoo is situated in City Park, Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1896, Denver Zoo is 80 acres and a beautiful home to over 2500 animals, comprising more than 450 species. Additionally, it is the most popular paid tourist destination in Denver, with over 2 million visitors annually.

The zoo first began with an orphaned American black bear cub, and over the years, more animals arrived. Just by visiting the park, all guests at Denver Zoo help animals by contributing to their food and expanding their habitats.

Experiences at Denver Zoo include:

• Conservation Carousel
• Denver Zoo Railroad
• Gorilla Trek: This is a virtual experience with a real troop of endangered gorillas in Africa.
• Lorikeet Adventure: Catch a glimpse of beautiful, colorful parrots from Australia and the South Pacific. This is a wonderful experience that all ages will enjoy.
• Stingray Cove: Here you can get up close and touch peaceful southern and cow nose stingrays and watch them swim freely in a 15,000-gallon tank that they share with gentle bonnethead and bamboo sharks.

Habitats to see at Denver Zoo include:

• Down Under
• Emerald Forest
• Flamingo Habitat
• Harmony Hill
• Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital
• Lembke Family Preserve
• Pachyderms
• Pinnacol African Penguin Point
• Predator Ridge
• Primate Panorama
• The EDGE
• Toyota Elephant Passage
• Tropical Discovery

If you and your family are feeling hungry, you can enjoy woodfire pizza at Simply Pizza, stop at Scratch for hot chicken, or your favorite hotdogs and burgers at Samburu Grille. Kamala Café sells flavorful Asian cuisine, and Dippin’ Dots has delicious snacks and ice cream breads. Your trip to Denver Zoo will definitely be a memorable one.