Location: Kansas City, Missouri Years Active: 1909 – Active The Kansas City Zoo is a Kansas City classic. It’s got those big-ticket animals everyone wants to see – think elephants, giraffes, and roaring lions. Plus, with over 1,700 animals, it’s definitely an all-day adventure. The exhibits vary in quality, though. The newer areas, like Polar…
Location: St. Louis, Missouri Years Active: 1910 – Active The Saint Louis Zoo, located in Forest Park, Missouri, spans 90 acres and features over 16,000 animals across 600 species. Known for its free admission, the zoo offers popular attractions such as Big Cat Country, Penguin & Puffin Coast, and the Zooline Railroad for easy navigation….
Location: Branson, Missouri Years Active: 1980 – Active Okay, let’s be honest. Silver Dollar City’s White Water isn’t the newest or flashiest water park in the world. But here’s the thing: some people love it exactly for that reason. It’s got classic Ozark vibes, thrilling-enough rides, and a whole lot of laid-back fun. Families flock…
Location: Branson, Missouri Years Active: 1960 – Active Silver Dollar City Theme Park isn’t your standard amusement park. Tucked into the Ozarks, it’s a weird and wonderful slice of 1880s America with a modern twist. The Herschends opened it back in 1960, and it’s only gotten more fun over the decades. This place is built…
Location: Hattiesburg, Mississippi Years Active: 1950 – Active Hattiesburg Zoo is a place of secrets. It’s been around for ages, and those winding paths hold stories you won’t find in any guidebook. This isn’t about perfectly manicured exhibits – it’s about finding the hidden wonders. The animals here are a mixed bag. Some are zoo…
Location: Bloomington, Minnesota Years Active: 1996 – Active Ever been to Minnesota? Forget the snow. Head straight to the Mall of America Aquarium and dive into the aquarium! It’s a massive underwater wonderland – a true escape. And get this: it’s been amazing visitors since 1996. The highlights are mind-blowing. Imagine walking through an underwater…
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Years Active: 1897 – Active Como Park Zoo and Conservatory… sounds a bit stuffy, doesn’t it? The place is anything but! With over 2.5 million visitors a year, clearly, people love it – but there’s more to this St. Paul gem than meets the eye. Animals are the stars here. You’ll…
Location: Brainerd, Minnesota Years Active: 1950 – Active Paul Bunyan Land is classic Americana. It’s been around forever, and frankly, it shows its age in parts. But that’s part of the charm! Sure, it’s not Disneyland, but the rides are fun, and the vibe is pure small-town nostalgia. The giant Paul Bunyan statue is just…
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Years Active: 1960 – Active The Kalamazoo Nature Center…it’s a sprawling nature preserve, smack-dab in the middle of Michigan. Founded decades ago, they’re all about making you love the outdoors. But let’s be honest – sometimes nature education gets a little preachy. That’s the tradeoff for their awesome trails, right? Speaking of…
Location: Apple Valley, Minnesota Years Active: 1978 – Active The Minnesota Zoo isn’t just about staring at animals. It’s 485 acres of wild encounters spread out in Apple Valley. This place breaks the mold of traditional zoos – you follow themed trails instead of a boring species-by-species format. Get ready to walk through a rainforest,…
