Yeah, but the Singapore Zoo is amazing, especially the Night Safari, just the coolest zoo experience ever.
And another vote for the DC zoo. It’s small, but you can just wander in, say hello to an animal or two and wander out. Because it’s free, it is more like a part of the neighborhood.
I must also pipe up for the Toronto Zoo, formerly known as the Toronto Metro Zoo. It’s a sensational zoo, often cited as one of the very best in the world. The one drawback is that it’s VERY big so bring your walkin’ shoes.
I can attest to the fact that the Toledo Zoo deserves its fine reputation.
The DC Zoo is really awesome as well. Though it’s small, as has been pointed out, they really do not shortchange you on animals; lots of exhibits at no cost? Can’t beat that.
I would have to second this. I’ve lived in St. Louis all my life and love our free zoo here, but I was very impressed by the Omaha zoo. The domed desert exhibit (with a cave-and-darkness loving animal exhibit area on the floor below it) is very different and well done. I understand both Mutual of Omaha and The Union Pacific support the zoo generously and have helped make it as nice as it is. The only complaint I have is that it’s built on a rather steep hill - you start at the top and work your way down. If you don’t want to walk back up you pay to take the train. It’s a nice train, though, so I didn’t mind too much. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Omaha.
I came in to mention Toronto, AND that it is a very long walk!
As a foreigner the only American zoo that I’ve visited was San Diego, which I found to be excellent.
To make it clear, I’m not going to drive around the country (and fly to Singapore) just looking at zoos. Since they’re something my sister really likes and I’m OK with, I’m looking at “If I want to go to Spingfield, Anystate for some reason is the zoo worthwhile to spend a day if I’m in the area?”. This is a spinoff of my other thread where I was looking for amusement parks to go to, and someone suggested Ohio had some nice zoos that would maybe convince my sister we could go there.
Toronto does seem to be a good suggestion because if you go to see Niagara Falls one day, what do you do the next? See the scenic beauty of Rochester?
I agree with this on both zoos. I think Brookfield is one of the country’s best.
I’ve also visited the SD Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. I grudgingly admit that they’re better.
I enjoyed the Denver, Houston, and San Diego zoos. Is Houston’s still free? Was in the 80s, the last time I was there.
I used to get annoyed at the OKC zoo. Dirty, poor layout, enclosures not kept up well, lack of exotic animals, surly employees. But it has improved a great deal in just the past few years. New exhibits, new animals, easier to see the animals, animals seem better off, etc …
If you’re ever in southeast Michigan and interested in checking out the Detroit Zoo, don’t. Head about 90 minutes south and check out the Toledo Zoo.
It’s the only thing I’d ever send anyone into Ohio for.
Yet another vote for the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha NE.
It has a large-ish enclosed rain forest building. A separate desert dome; under the desert dome is the creatures of the night exhibit (stuff that is usually only active at night). A pretty good aquarium which includes a penguin enclosure. A separate butterfly enclosure. A netted bird enclosure that you walk through while the birds are free to fly around. An IMAX. A train. A “skyfari” lift. A decent great ape building. A good feline group. The bear grotto. And that’s just the stuff closest to the parking lot.
If you are making a cross country trip checking out zoos, open the atlas and check what’s under the staple.
The Cincinnati Zoo.
Isn’t that where the Reds play?
No, that’s where I sod your mother, Trebeck.
If you’re in the Twin Cities, definitely stop by the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul. It’s a small zoo, but admission is free and it’s pretty cool. You can buy cups of fish to feed to the seals.