The zoo is the perfect place for children to see and potentially interact with wildlife. Whether your family is filled with animal lovers or you just need a good excuse to get out and about, here are some of the country’s best zoos for your next family adventure:
The Philadelphia Zoo is considered the first true zoo in the country. One of the most popular attractions is the Zoo360 Animal Exploration Trails, where tigers, monkeys and other exotic animals walk overhead in tunnels, making you feel part of the exhibits. The zoo features around 1,300 animals of more than 300 different species. Other attractions to keep an eye out for are the paddleboat lake, children’s petting zoo and WildWorks — a ropes course with bridges and obstacles.
The world-famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park is home to more than 3,500 animals across 800 species. The zoo is most popular for its open-air, cage-free exhibits, recreating natural habitats. Make sure to visit the kangaroos and koalas in the Outback, the Elephant Odyssey, the penguins at Conrads Prebys Africa Rocks and the Polar Bear Plunge in the Northern Frontier.
The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo and features more than 4,000 animals across 650 species. Don’t miss out on The Nature Trek, a kid-friendly path with bridges, playgrounds and tunnels to explore, along with a bird’s eye view of some of the animals. Visit the Children’s Zoo to get up close with the animals. Make sure to stop by JungleWorld, World of Reptiles and Congo Gorilla Forest.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
The second-oldest zoo is home to 1,900 animals across more than 500 species and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Make sure to visit Fiona the hippopotamus, the first hippo born in the zoo in 75 years. Fiona went viral for being born premature and gained the love of viewers from all over the world. Some other must-see animals are the largest komodo dragon, the fastest cheetah in captivity and the longest-living American alligator.
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