Location: Coal Valley, Illinois Years Active: 1958 – Active Niabi Zoo in Illinois has been rocking the animal world since 1958. This place isn’t just about staring at animals – they want you to get hooked on conservation. We’re talking lions, giraffes, snakes, the whole wild crew nestled right in the Midwest. Get ready for…
Location: Michigan City, Indiana Years Active: 1928 – Active Think those big zoos are the only place for amazing animal encounters? Think again! The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Indiana, has been charming visitors since 1928. It’s a small but mighty place, tucked right into Washington Park. Don’t expect massive crowds or giant enclosures…
Location: Peoria, Illinois Years Active: 1955 – Active Welcome to Peoria Zoo – it’s no paradise, but it’s got its charms. This place has been around since ’55, so expect older exhibits alongside the new. It’s small, so plan on a half-day visit, tops. But hey, that means you can really focus on the highlights….
Location: Decatur, Illinois Years Active: 1967 – Active Scovill Zoo ain’t the biggest, but it’s got heart. It’s been around since ’67, and you can feel the history and the love for animals. Calling itself “Bringing the World to Decatur” is a bit cheesy, but they’ve got some surprising animals for a small-town zoo. Lions,…
Location: Des Moines, Iowa Years Active: 1966 – Active Blank Park Zoo isn’t just another zoo. It’s a place where lions roar and tigers stalk their prey. You’ll get close to animals you’d usually see on a far-flung safari or in nature documentaries. Want to mingle with butterflies? They’ve got a whole garden full of…
Location: Aurora, Illinois Years Active: 1915 – Active Phillips Park Zoo isn’t your standard mega-zoo experience. It’s a little older, a little smaller, with a focus on native Illinois wildlife. That’s the charm, though! There’s a real sense of history here, and you get way closer to the animals than at those huge zoos with…
Location: Chicago, Illinois Years Active: 1868 – Active Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo isn’t your standard animal attraction. This place is old – 1868 old – and that means they know their stuff. They’re big on conservation, so it’s not just about gawking at lions. You’ll learn something, and your kids will too. It’s tucked right…
Location: Brookfield, Illinois Years Active: 1934 – Active Brookfield Zoo isn’t just another place to see animals. It’s a world-class zoo, and it shows. Think huge, modern exhibits where you can feel the spray from a waterfall or stare right into the eyes of a gorilla. They house tons of incredible animals, way more than…
Location: Boise, Idaho Years Active: 1916 – Active Zoo Boise isn’t some stuffy nature exhibit. It’s a lively place, right in the middle of Boise, with a ton of fascinating animals. Think lions, tigers – even snow leopards! They’ve been around forever, over a hundred years, and they’re always working to protect wildlife. Want an…
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Years Active: 1934 – Active The Tautphaus Park Zoo It started small. Back in 1934, Idaho Falls took over a modest park. Think local critters – bears, elk, even badgers. The zoo director? A guy named Al Heslop, living right there on-site. Talk about dedication! Fast-forward to today. This place is…
