Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Years Active: 1891 – Active Forget those stuffy zoos where animals look bored. John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is a whole different experience. It’s been around forever (since 1891!), so they know how to make your visit worthwhile. Yeah, there are over 1,300 animals, but it’s not just about staring…
Location: Ludlow, Massachusetts Years Active: 1996 – Active Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts, has a special charm you won’t find in the big, flashy zoos. It’s got character. They’ve been connecting people with animals since 1996, focusing on education and making you think about the natural world. Expect to see fascinating creatures up close. Roaring…
Location: Attleboro, Massachusetts Years Active: 1937 – Active Okay, Capron Park Zoo isn’t huge. And yeah, some of the enclosures could use an upgrade. But this little zoo has a surprising amount to offer if you know where to look. This is a lemur hotspot! They have a ton of these playful critters, way more…
Location: Mendon, Massachusetts Years Active: 1963 – Active Southwick’s Zoo isn’t your mom’s zoo. It’s a little quirky, a little unpredictable – the kind of place where you might see a peacock strutting down the main path. Hey, that’s the fun of it, right? It’s been around since ’63, so it’s bound to have some…
Location: Boston, Massachusetts Years Active: 1912 – Active Franklin Zoo isn’t your picture-perfect wildlife sanctuary. It’s old – like, founded in 1912 old. But that’s part of its charm. You’ll find some seriously cool animals here and a focus on teaching you about them and the challenges they face. Want to beat the crowds? Go…
Location: Stoneham, Massachusetts Years Active: 1969 – Active Stoneham Zoo is a hidden gem. It’s small, and honestly, some of the enclosures could be bigger. But here’s why you should go anyway: they’re serious about making a difference for endangered animals. No lions or tigers – here you’ll find species actually facing threats in the…
Location: Baltimore, Maryland Years Active: 1876 – Active Forget those picture-perfect zoo brochures. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is old-school, and that’s part of the charm. It’s got history, and yeah, a little wear and tear. But that doesn’t mean the animals aren’t awesome! They’ve got a huge collection – over 1,500 creatures from every corner…
Location: Gray, Maine Years Active: 1931 – Active Maine Wildlife Park isn’t a zoo. It’s a place where animals who can’t survive in the wild get a second chance. You’ll see moose, sure, but also bears missing paws or eagles who healed from broken wings. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real. This place has…
location: York Beach, Maine Years Active: 1980 – Active Don’t expect a world-class zoo experience at York’s Wild Kingdom. It’s smaller, a bit dated – the kind of place that brings back childhood memories if you grew up in the area. The animal enclosures could be bigger, and honestly, some look a little rundown. But,…
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Years Active: 1926 – Active Want to experience wildlife up close? The Alexandria Zoological Park is a must-visit. It’s been around since 1926, so they know their stuff. You’ll find over 500 animals here, from all corners of the world. Spot lions prowling the savanna, meet mischievous monkeys, and watch elegant giraffes….
