10 Best Zoos in the U.S. (Rated by Parents)

Kelly R. said:  We were lucky to live just down the road from the Columbus Zoo for years, and I spent many hours there with my kids. It truly is a world class zoo with beautiful exhibits, many hands-on opportunities, and fun play areas sprinkled around. One of the essential things to do in Columbus with kids, whether you're a local or a visitor! I appreciate the convenient suburban location, so no navigating of city traffic is required, and you can see a lot without feeling like you're doing a ton of walking.

Hannah Scott said:  Perhaps best known as the home of Fiona the Hippo, the Cincinnati Zoo is a must-see for any visitors to the Queen City. A host of indoor and outdoor exhibits and encounters let you get up close and personal with creatures from all over the world (without ever leaving the heart of the city). I would recommend springing for the upgraded "Ride Ticket" to enjoy unlimited carousel and train rides during your visit!

Tip: Breastfeeding moms can take advantage of the free Nursing Nest under the Base Camp Café!

Brittany Kozielski said:  Brookfield Zoo houses around 450 species of animals on 216 acres. Don't miss their dolphin show! After going to the zoo for years I discovered the Hamill Family Play Zoo & Wild Encounters. The Play Zoo is perfect for kids up to age 10 and is very hands-on and lots of fun. During the day you can hear a zookeeper discuss certain animals and walk around with them for kids to pet. Enter the Wild Encounters section and you will be surrounded by red pandas, llamas, alpacas, wallabies, and reindeer...and can even pet and feed some of them!

Shila said:  Visit over 2,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles in specialized habitats spanning 200 wooded acres. Explore educational wildlife shows and fun attractions such as: Feed a Giraffe Experience, Seal & Sea Lion Show, Safari Train, Playground, Carousel & more! Swing by the Family Farm area of the Milwaukee County Zoo for an up close and interactive experience with native Wisconsin wildlife and farm animals.

Lisa R said:  The St. Louis Zoo is home to 16,000+ animals that include rare and endangered species from all over the world as well as more familiar favorites, like goats and guinea pigs, that kids can pet. You'll find nature-themed play areas that include water features, sandboxes, and climbing structures, a narrated train ride, a carousel, a 4D theater, and lots of shows and public feedings. Budget lots of time for his one, because there's no way you can see it all.

Gina I. said:  See animals from across the globe in the heart of Uptown NOLA! The zoo features a number of animal exhibits from the Louisiana Swamp to the African Savannah. Whether you like giraffes, flamingos, reptiles, or elephants, kids are sure to see their favorites!

Alexandra F. said:  Consistently rated among the best zoos in the U.S., the 160 acres of animal habitats feature wildlife from around the world, including the largest aquarium in a zoo. Be sure to check out the Children's Adventure Trails, an interactive exhibit focused on learning through play, where kids can pull themselves across a small pond on a raft, go over a running stream on a fallen log, and climb a 3-stories tall Treehouse with a shipwreck slide, climbing net, bridge and so much more. Lots of special tours and animal encounters make it a wonderfully interactive zoo for families to enjoy!

Stephanie W. said:  The Fort Worth Zoo currently houses over 540 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians from all over the world. They host Zookeeper Chats, giraffe feeding experience, an interactive stingray exhibit, Safari Splash water play area, educational animal encounters, train, carousel, and more!

Alexandra F. said:  This is such a unique zoo that it is definitely worth a visit for any animal-loving kids. The animal habitats are gigantic, so come prepared to do a lot of walking, but the great thing is you can really see the animals in their element, which makes for a much more engaging and interesting day! We don't even try to do the whole park in a day with our little ones, but usually see about half of it over the course of a few hours. They also offer safari experiences for an additional fee, which we haven't tried yet but which look pretty cool for a special occasion.

Alexandra F. said:  This such a phenomenal zoo that it is worth a special trip to visit - I really think it must be one of the best zoos in the U.S., if not the world. The habitats are so spacious and thoughtfully designed that you can actually see the animals moving around and interacting so much more than at other zoos I've visited. There is such a great variety of animals, too: lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, hippos, bears, gorillas and so much more. The zoo is large (and hilly) so you can expect to do a lot of walking, but the free sky tram provides a fun shortcut.