Professional Travel Guides Top 10 list for North America's Best Zoos helps you decide where you want to go. Editor's Top 10 lists offer selections from our editors that help you plan your travel based on your lifestyle, entertainment, sightseeing, or recreation options. Lions and tigers and bears ... and more. From roaming pachyderms to laughing hyenas, our editors have chosen some of the best zoos in North America for you to visit.
1. Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine St., Uptown, New Orleans, Louisiana
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Near the river end of Audubon Park, this beautifully landscaped facility is considered one of the top five zoos in the country. It houses more than 1,800 animals in simulated natural habitats, including an impressive swamp area full of alligators. Open Tuesday-Friday 10 am-4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. US$12 adults, US$7 children. 6500 Magazine St., Uptown, New Orleans. Phone 504-581-4629. Toll-free 866-487-2966. http://www.auduboninstitute.org.
2. Bronx Zoo
Fordham Road and Bronx River Parkway, New York, New York
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
This zoo has more than 7,000 animals, representing more than 700 species, in natural habitats. Get face-to-face with the critters with no bars to separate you. In the pitch-black World of Darkness, populated exclusively by nocturnal animals, experience real nightlife. The Congo Gorilla Forest re-creates an African rain forest with more than 300 animals, including 30 gorillas, who range through 11 waterfalls, bamboo forests, meadows and wading pools. (32-year-old Pattycake was the first gorilla born in New York City.) Jungle World re-creates four Asian habitats filled with bear cats, black leopards, elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, white Siberian tigers and the Asian small-clawed otter. For an overview, ride the Bengali Express monorail through the zoo. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Open Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5:30 pm (November-March daily till 4:30 pm). US$14 adults, US$12 seniors, US$10 children, free for children younger than 3. Pay what you wish on Wednesday. In winter, rates are reduced. Some activities charge an additional fee. Combination tickets are available. Strollers US$6, double strollers US$10. All-day parking is US$8. Fordham Road and Bronx River Parkway (subway line 2 or 5 to East Tremont Avenue-West Farm Square; exit left and walk north two blocks on Boston Road to the zoo entrance), Bronx, New York City. Phone 718-367-1010. http://www.bronxzoo.com.
3. Central Park Wildlife Center/Tisch Children's Zoo
830 Fifth Ave., New York, New York
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Known as the Central Park Zoo by locals, it is the oldest wildlife center in the city-it opened its doors in 1864. Divided into three zones-Arctic, temperate and rain forest-it's home to more than 1,400 animals and 130 species. The Tisch Children's Zoo is filled with hands-on exhibits and pettable domestic animals. Take lots of quarters for the feed machines to give fishicles (peanut-butter-smeared treats) to the polar bears. The beloved Delacorte Musical Clock draws crowds every half-hour, when a motorized menagerie of little animals twirls around to nursery-rhyme music. Regularly scheduled Wildlife Theater performances are great. Open Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5:30 pm. US$8 adults, US$4 seniors, US$3 children ages 3-12, free for children younger than 3. 830 Fifth Ave. (in the park at 64th Street), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-439-6500. http://nyzoosandaquarium.com.
4. Dallas Zoo
650 SRL Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
The oldest zoo in Texas features two main areas. The Wilds of Africa area includes a 20-minute monorail safari and is always a favorite. One of the more popular exhibits is the Lemur Lookout. The other major area, Zoo North, includes tiger exhibits, Primate Place and more. A gigantic giraffe statue marks the entrance to the zoo. Daily 9 am-5 pm. US$8.75 adults, US$5.75 children. Parking fee is US$5. 650 SRL Thornton Freeway (in Oak Cliff, about 3 mi/5 km south of downtown; the DART Red Line light rail goes directly to the zoo), Dallas. Phone 214-670-5656. http://www.dallaszoo.com.
5. Indianapolis Zoo
1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Featuring an aquarium, conservatory and botanical garden, this downtown zoo has more than 3,000 animals in naturalistic habitats along with one of the world's largest pavilions for sea animals, including a touch pool full of sharks. Children flock to the Oceans exhibit, which features an underwater tunnel that allows for spectacular views of dolphins playing. Moving up, some 15 ft/4.6 m above ground, children have the chance to feed baby giraffes. They also love the miniature train, the dolphin show,the water-spray park and the miniature roller coaster. Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm. US$13.50 adults, US$8.50 children ages 2-12. US$5 for parking, all rides cost extra. 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-630-2001. http://www.indyzoo.com.
6. Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, Illinois
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the nation's oldest zoos and one of the few that does not charge admission. It keeps the educational adventure fresh with immersive exhibits, including the Regenstein Center for African Apes, featuring indoor, outdoor and overhead habitats for its primates. The Regenstein African Journey wanders the continent from pygmy hippo pools to klipspringer ledges and giraffe savannahs. The Pritzker Family Children's Zoo is designed to make kids feel as if they are at home in the woods. They can walk through tunnels, explore the Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure and learn about the lives of animals such as wolves, beavers and otters. Kids also love choosing an animal to ride on the Endangered Species Carousel. The adjacent Farm-in-the-Zoo features barnyard critters and frequent cow-milking and butter-churning demonstrations. There are lots of special exhibits and activities throughout the year, such as family pajama parties, breakfast with the animals and educational programs. Grounds open daily 9 am-6 pm, summer until 7 pm, November-March until 5 pm; buildings open 10 am-5 pm, summer until 6:30 pm, November-March until 4:30 pm. Free. Parking is US$14-$24. 2200 N. Cannon Drive (in Lincoln Park), Chicago. Phone 312-742-2000. http://www.lpzoo.org.
7. Miami MetroZoo
12400 S.W. 152nd St., Miami, Florida
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
The zoo is home to 800 animals, including such rare species as the koala, the white tiger and the Komodo dragon. It's encircled by a monorail that has four hop-on/hop-off stops along its 2.5-mi/4-km route. Exhibits include Wings of Asia, the largest open-air Asian aviary in the Western Hemisphere, featuring 300 exotic, rare and endangered birds from 70 species. Tram tours are also offered. Three food courts and a petting zoo are on the grounds. Wildlife and Theater of Ecology shows are held several times a day. The zoo is open daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. US$13.95 adults, US$9.95 children ages 3-12, free for children 2 and younger. Buy tickets online for a small discount. 12400 S.W. 152nd St. (southwest of Coral Gables), Miami. Phone 305-251-0400. http://www.miamimetrozoo.com.
8. National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, District of Columbia
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Within the Smithsonian's 163-acre/66-hectare parklike zoo are 5,000 animals, most of them living in open areas resembling their native habitats. Special attractions include the gorillas, seal and sea lion training, and elephant care. The Asia Trail is home to sloths, fishing cats and giant salamanders (they're 5 ft/2 m long). But the biggest draw is the pandas, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Tai Shan. Children love the place, and the setting makes it ideal for long visits. The grounds are open daily April-October 6 am-8 pm, the animal buildings 10 am-6 pm; November-March 6 am-6 pm, with the animal buildings open 10 am-4:30 pm. Closed Christmas Day. Free. 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo, but the Cleveland Park station is closer), Washington, D.C. Phone 202-633-4800. http://nationalzoo.si.edu.
9. Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Set among Victorian gardens in Fairmount Park, the first zoo in the U.S. houses more than 2,000 mammals, birds and reptiles. Its many natural habitats include Bear Country, African Plains and Carnivore Kingdom. The zoo's newest attraction is the Zooballoon, a 15-minute hot-air-balloon ride that offers amazing aerial views of the animals and the city skyline. Open February-November daily 9:30 am-5 pm; December and January daily 9:30 am-4 pm. Late March-October: US$16.95 adults, US$13.95 children; November-late March: US$12.95 adults and children. Zooballoon is an additional US$10. 3400 W. Girard Ave. (at 34th Street), Philadelphia. Phone 215-243-1100. http://www.philadelphiazoo.org.
10. San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, California
See & Do - Sightseeing - Zoos & Wildlife
Arguably the country's premier zoo. Most of the animals (including a number of endangered species) live in natural-habitat enclosures. It has the largest koala colony outside Australia. One of the biggest attractions is the pandas, and a new cub was born August 2007. Also be sure to see the Polar Bear Plunge and the Rain Forest Aviary. A guided bus tour and a skytram ride are available—you might be thankful for these options after walking some of the hilly terrain. Keep in mind that although the line for the bus' sun-exposed upper deck is much longer than for the lower, the covered lower deck is more comfortable and puts you at eye-level with the animals. Behind-the-scenes tours are available for groups of 15 or more. Opens daily at 9 am, closing times vary by season. US$22.75 adults, US$15.50 children. A combination pass for the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park is available. 2920 Zoo Drive (in Balboa Park), San Diego. Phone 619-231-1515. http://www.sandiegozoo.org.
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