Location: Binghamton, New York Years Active: 1875 – Active Ross Park Zoo isn’t fancy. It’s old, which means it has some quirks, but also a focus on what matters – the animals. You’ll find the classics like tigers, but also some weird critters you’ve never seen before. Zookeepers here are friendly – ask them for…
Location: Bronx, New York Years Active: 1899 – Active The Bronx Zoo is a New York City classic. Animals? Check. Size? Huge. But here’s the thing it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. This place is old, and like any zoo, it raises questions about keeping wild animals in captivity. It’s going to make you think….
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Years Active: 1927 – Active The ABQ BioPark Zoo is a must-visit. It’s got polar bears, snakes, elephants – you name it! This place isn’t just about staring at animals, though. They make learning about conservation fun. Plus, it’s right by the Rio Grande, which is a great place to chill…
Location: Sussex, New Jersey Years Active: 1927 – Active Space Farms Zoo isn’t your average animal park. It’s been around since 1927, way back when farmer Ralph Space decided his place needed more than cows. Now it sprawls across Sussex, New Jersey, filled with way more wildlife than you’d expect from a farm. This place…
Location: West Orange, New Jersey Years Active: 1963 – Active Turtle Back Zoo is a real throwback. It’s got the animals, but everything else is delightfully unpredictable. You might catch the lions napping, or get front-row seats to a roaring match. That’s part of the fun. They’ve got the zoo classics – big cats, giraffes,…
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Years Active: 1965 – Active The Lincoln Children’s Zoo – it’s a hit with kids, maybe less so with adults expecting a huge zoo experience. But if you want hands-on animal encounters? This is the place. Giraffe feeding, penguin parades – it’s about getting the little ones excited. Themed areas keep them…
Location: Ashland, Nebraska Years Active: 1998 – Active Welcome to Wildlife Safari Park – it’s more than just a zoo. This Nebraska gem isn’t afraid to get a little muddy to give you an unforgettable experience with North American wildlife. Their mission? Saving native species! Get ready for some close encounters. Cruising in your car,…
Location: Omaha, Nebraska Years Active: 1894 – Active Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo? Yeah, it’s got the classics. But the real deal is the weird stuff – the world’s biggest indoor desert, freaky creatures of the night, you won’t see this anywhere else. Pro tip: Skip the summer crowds, go off-season. They’ve got a killer holiday…
Location: Billings, Montana Years Active: 1995 – Active Forget those fancy zoos. ZooMontana shows you Montana’s wild side – grizzlies, wolves, the tough critters that survive here. Enclosures are small, and that’s controversial. Are the animals cramped, or does it get you closer to their reality? ZooMontana doesn’t hide the harsh truths, which can be…
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…
