Location: Portage, Michigan Years Active: 1979 – Active Forget boring history lessons. The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Michigan is where aviation gets real. Step into the shadow of the SR-71B Blackbird, the spy plane that laughed at missiles. Imagine touching gear that’s been to space – they’ve got the real deal, not…
Location: Coon Rapids, Minnesota Years Active: 1988 – Active Bunker Beach Water Park is a Minnesota summer must! Forget the lakes – this place has better waves. Their huge wave pool feels like a mini-ocean, and the beach vibe is on point. Want a thrill? Hit up the ‘Tornado Alley’ slide – it’s no joke….
Location: New Era, Michigan Years Active: 2008 – Active Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo promises fun… but is it worth the hype? This New Era, Michigan spot is a hit with families. You’ll find exotic animals – think lions and zebras – alongside a classic petting zoo. They know how to throw a festival too,…
Location: Madison Heights, Michigan Years Active: 1981 – Active Look, Red Oaks Waterpark isn’t winning any design awards. It’s got that faded 80s vibe, and the food options won’t blow your mind. But you know what? Sometimes you just want to get soaked and scream your head off on a waterslide. That’s where Red Oaks…
Location: Waterford, Michigan Years Active: 1981 – Active Waterford Oaks Waterpark is a classic. It’s been around forever, so that “new and shiny” vibe is gone. But don’t let that fool you – this place is still a blast. The wave pool is huge, and those slides will definitely get your heart pumping. Go early…
Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Years Active: 1977 – Active Forget those stuffy brochures! Binder Park Zoo rocks. It’s been a Michigan staple since 1977, and this place is more than just staring at caged animals. They’ve got vast spaces that let the critters roam like they would in the wild. Get ready for an African…
Location: Gulfport, Mississippi Years Active: 2020 – Active The Mississippi Aquarium isn’t your grandma’s idea of an aquarium. Forget those dim hallways and dusty tanks! This place is bright, modern, and overlooks the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico in Gulfport. They focus on the dazzling animals of the Gulf, but you’ll see some cool critters from…
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan Years Active: 1928 – Active The Detroit Zoo isn’t your grandma’s animal park. It’s been teaching kids and adults about the wild world since 1928. Forget cages – they build whole worlds for their animals. Explore the Arctic, Africa, even Australia! You’ll see creatures you won’t find anywhere else in Michigan….
Location: Jackson, Mississippi Years Active: 1916 – Active The Jackson Zoo ain’t gonna win any beauty contests. It’s kinda old, kinda small, and let’s be honest, some of the exhibits could use an upgrade. But I like it that way. Shows they put their money towards what really matters – taking care of the animals….
Location: Lansing, Michigan Years Active: 1920 – Active Potter Park Zoo isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a little gritty, a little old-school – the perfect antidote to those polished, big-name zoos. They do things differently here. Forget mega-exhibits with elephants or polar bears – this zoo is about the underdogs of the animal…
