Tag: theme park

  • World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    WGWK believes it is safe to say that a day at the zoo is something all kids can enjoy! When traveling, viewing animals in beautiful habitats is a nice break from city sightseeing for the little ones.  We asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites world zoos and came up with this list of world’s best zoos with kids:

     

    Assiniboine Park Zoo – Winnipeg, Canada

    Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, we have been to the Assiniboine Park Zoo countless times. Until recently, it was just another zoo. But in mid 2014, after years of hard work, this Zoo got a makeover and a brand new world class exhibit called Journey to Churchill was unveiled.  Journey to Churchill focuses on Arctic animals and is the most extensive of its kind in the world when it comes to showcasing northern animal species. It has been dubbed “the Gateway to the Arctic”. The animals in this exhibit are polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic wolves and foxes, to name a few. The exhibit occupies ten acres and recreates the landscape of the animals’ natural habitat of the Subarctic and the Arctic. There are currently nine polar bears living at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Most have been rescued as very young cubs after being orphaned in the Canadian North. We all know that polar bears are endangered species. This exhibit not only serves as a new home to these animals that would have otherwise perished, but it also provides the public with educational opportunities on how to protect them. Our son’s favourite part is observing these animals up close as they swim above his head in the aquarium tunnel called the Sea Ice Passage.  Don’t miss this unique zoo experience when in Winnipeg.

    Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags. Find out more from Bea about Assiniboine Park Zoo.

     

    Auckland Zoo – Auckland, New Zealand

    New Zealand’s Auckland Zoo is one amazing zoo!  We love it because the animals are well cared for, and a lot of them are rescued animals that wouldn’t survive in the wild.  Families who visit during the school holidays will also find something different going on as there are special exhibits and learning experiences, including the opportunity to be a zookeeper for a day (for kids and adults).

    Even out of school holidays, it’s great fun. First, we love the vet hospital there, which cares for the zoo animals, but also for injured wildlife. Visitors can see what’s going on through the glass window, and there is usually a zookeeper stationed outside the glass to explain to visitors what is taking happening.  We also love the daily elephant walks that take place every day! As the elephant walks by with its keeper, visitors can view the animals up close. And, of course, in the spring, there is the opportunity to see lots of baby animals! We were lucky to see the red panda cubs, a giraffe calf, and many more during our visit!

    Recommended by Thais Saito from World Trip Diaries.  Find out more from Thais about Auckland.

     

    Belize Zoo – Belize

    The Belize Zoo started off as a conservation center and still has a huge effort in conservation of animals in Belize. All the animals are native to Belize. They may have encountered issues in the wild and have been rescued by the center. For example, they have a jaguar who they rescued as a cub when she got separated from her mother and a jabiru who fell out of its nest and can no longer fly.  They also have a center for “problem jaguars” – jaguars who hunt too close to human settlements because they may be old and injured. Instead of being shot and killed, these problem jaguars are brought to the center to be cared for and studied. My kids thought the Belize Zoo was very cool especially seeing the big cats – the jaguars and the pumas. We spent two weeks in Belize but never saw many of the native animals exhibited at the zoo in the wild.

    Recommended by Shobha George from Nylon Living.

     

    Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Tasmania, Australia

    For families with a young animal-lover in their life, a trip to Australia offers the opportunity to see many unique creatures! The Land Down Under has so much more than just kangaroos and koalas. We spent the first day of our epic two-month visit to Australia at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, where injured or endangered animals are sheltered and nurtured. During our awesome guided tour (which is included in the admission price), we visited with wombats, echidnas, quolls and the infamous Tassie devil… and of course it was a great opportunity to get up close with koalas and ‘roos as well.

    Recommended by Melissa Conn of The Family Voyage.  Find out more from Melissa about family travel in Australia.

     

    Chester Zoo – Chester, England

    We’ve visited a few zoos with our son, but the Chester Zoo, the UK’s most visited zoo, is one that stands out. Not only is it a very large zoo, at approximately 125 acres, with big enclosures for the many species of animals and birds that can be found there, but it is also highly involved in conservation. The most exciting part for us was the Islands at Chester Zoo. This part of the Zoo, opened in 2015, has areas representing six South East Asian Islands including Bali and Sumatra. It is a truly wonderful part of the Zoo and transports visitors to South East Asia with atmospheric music and explorer huts – a true delight to visit. From Sumatran tigers and orangutans, to Visayan warty pigs, the Islands are not to be missed. Chester Zoo has so much to see and do and is best given a full day to explore. Even then visitors may still miss some of the zoo as it’s that big. This is what makes Chester Zoo one of our favourite zoos of all time.

    Catherine from Passports and Adventures.

     

    Cotswold Wildlife Park – Oxfordshire, England

    Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the star attractions in the Cotswolds.  The Wildlife Park is just outside the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, in the grounds of a manor house surrounded by beautiful gardens.  The Park is home to some amazing animals and is sure to enchant kids of any age.  Visitors can get up close to giraffes in the giraffe house and meet the friendly lemurs and critically endangered Bactrian camels.  The Wildlife Park is probably the only place in the world to see a white rhino grazing in front of a Victorian manor house!

    Don’t miss the daily talks and animal feeding times – visitors can even sign up to be a keeper for the day.  The children’s farm is always a hit as kids can pet some of the more tame animals.  There’s also a miniature train ride, which is a great way to get an idea of the park’s layout and appeals to smaller children. The Cotswold Wildlife Park is a charitable trust and part of several breeding programmes for endangered species as well as promoting conservation in the wild. This means visitors can be sure that they are supporting animals worldwide when they visit.

    Recommended by Emily Cole from Kids and Compass.

    Dujiangyan Panda Base – Shiqiao, China

    Pandas are the emblem of China and currently considered a national treasure. Only in China do pandas live outside of captivity, yet seeing any pandas in the wild in China is nearly impossible, because it’s a vulnerable species and there are less than 2000 in the wild.  That’s what makes the Dujiangyan Panda Base such a special place.  Although the Center may look like a regular zoo at first look, this non-for-profit, government-funded organization is dedicated to saving pandas from extinction through controlled breeding techniques and specially designed wildlife reinsertion programs.

    We visited Dujiangyan Panda Base on our trip to Chengdu.  At Dujiangyan, along with seeing the pandas up close with few interruptions from other tourists, we learned about the Center’s conservation programs. Best of all, visitors can volunteer for the panda keeper program and spend a day working alongside zookeepers and scientists caring for the pandas.

    Recommended by Daniela Kemeny from A Baby Abroad.

    Melbourne Zoo – Melbourne, Australia

    The Melbourne Zoo’s vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organization, and it is well worth a visit.  In addition to featuring enclosures with natural habitats where visitors can get close to a wide-variety of international and foreign animals, the park-like grounds are themed to look like different regions of the world.  While seeing the elephants and tigers, visitors will think they are wandering through a safari town in India.

    The Zoo does incredible conservation work through targeted campaigns to teach and educate visitors about sustainability.  The orangutan area has a lot of great information about palm oil products and the threat wild orangutans face from loss of habitat from palm plantations.  Another recent campaign entitled “Wipe for Wildlife” encouraged visitors to make the switch to toilet paper made from recycled materials.  The Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo and has re-invented itself as a wonderful place to learn about wildlife right in the city centre.

    Recommended by Dawn Nicholson from 5 Lost Together.  Find out more from Dawn about Melbourne With Kids.

     

    National Zoo and Aquarium – Canberra, Australia

    Our local zoo, the National Zoo and Aquarium, is the perfect animal experience for young families as it is packed full of cool and interesting animals but is compact enough for little legs. The Zoo itself is beautifully constructed with pretty walkways and creative gardens and enclosures for all the animals. The Zoo offers great memberships where kids under three are free of charge, so when my kids were little for the price of one adult membership, my two young daughters and I had many outings to the zoo.

    Over the last few years the National Zoo and Aquarium has undergone quite a transformation and expansion with the award-winning Jamala Wildlife Lodge opening. Guests can stay overnight in luxury lodgings and be immersed in the wildlife experience as they watch lions, bears and other awesome animals through the floor to ceiling glass windows of their lodges.  As for the animals – a favourite is hard to pick. I love the white lions, giraffes and cheetahs. The kids, are always enthralled by the cheekiness of the otters and the meerkats!

    Recommended by Karen Buffier of Big Adventures for Little Feet.

     

    Ocean Park – Hong Kong, China


    Ocean Park is a part-zoo, part-aquarium, part-theme park and is a favourite day out for Hong Kong’s families.  The two biggest attractions here for animal lovers are the Grand Aquarium and the four resident Giant Pandas. The Giant Aquarium has loads of sea creatures to fascinate children – from hammerhead sharks, to manta rays, starfish and lionfish. There’s also a separate three-level Shark Mystique if they want more. Beyond the pandas, there are also penguins, walruses, sea lions and seals to visit, in addition to rainforest creatures such as the sloth, capybaras and giant anaconda.
    Unusually Ocean Park mixes up animal viewing with thrill rides. There are rides for everyone here – from the carousel and frog-hopper for the little ones, to the floorless Hair Raiser roller coaster that sends you looping and plunging at
    88km/h for the really fearless.  Visitors to Ocean Park should not miss the cable car, which offers some of
    the best views of the south side of Hong Kong Island.

    Recommended by Marianne from Mum on the Move.  Find out more from Marianne about Ocean Park.

     

    Singapore Zoo – Singapore

    The Singapore Zoo is often rated as one of the top 10 zoos in the world, and once we arrived, we could certainly see why. It is well set out, and all the enclosures are open range with no visible fencing or bars. It is spread over 64 acres in the Mandai Rainforest, 30 minutes taxi ride from central Singapore. Singapore Zoo is so large that there is a shuttle bus system to move the 1.7 million annual visitors around the park, which is great for little ones so they don’t get too tired early in the day.

    Singapore Zoo is famous for its orangutan enclosure which is free range and the orangutans move from tree to tree often right above your head. The zoo also offers the opportunity to have breakfast with the orangutans at Ah Meng Restaurant. Visitors sit and enjoy a generous buffet breakfast while the orangutans come to visit and have their breakfast at the same time. After breakfast visitors can stand up close to the orangutans and have their photo taken, but can’t touch them.

    There are various feeding times and educational shows about conserving land and looking after endangered animals. My kids really enjoyed the shows and it was nice that they incorporated an educational message while keeping it fun for the kids.

    Recommended by Sally Lucas of Our 3 Kids v the World.  Find out more from Sally about the Singapore Zoo.

     

    Taipei Zoo – Taipei, Taiwan

    The Taipei Zoo features around 300 animals, including those from tropical, rainforest and safari environments for an admission of about 6 USD. Our Taiwan sojourn became extra special because we got to see a 276 pound panda for the first time. Our little one, Sophia, had a chance to get face-to-face with a panda that had acted aloof because of noisy visitors for a couple of hours prior to our visit.

    Inside the Zoo, we rode the Maokong Gondola up the mountain, and we were mesmerized with the aerial view of the beautiful forest and the city lights. We were waiting for the Crystal Cabins, the glass-bottom cars where visitors can vividly see the breathtaking views from thousands of feet above ground, but we ended up riding a regular cabin. We still experienced the same excitement when the ride reached the highest peak. So far, this is the best zoo adventure we have ever had, and we’ll definitely come back to this astonishing place.

    Recommended by Catha Buti-Uy of Team Uy Travels.

     

    Taronga Zoo – Sydney, Australia

    Taronga Zoo Sydney is an iconic Sydney landmark. Sitting on the Sydney Harbour, historic Taronga Zoo was officially opened on 7 October 1916 and has become one of the city’s main attractions. Spread over 69 acres and boasting over 350 different species of animals, Taronga Zoo showcases both native Australian animals and a range of exotic animals including tigers, chimpanzees, giraffes and gorillas. A daily highlight for all visitors is the Free Flight Bird Show, which is not to be missed.

    The Taronga Zoo offers visiting families the incredible Keeper for a Day program on weekends and school holidays where children can learn about animal husbandry and the behind the scenes workings of a zoo. Those wanting a once in a lifetime experience can enjoy the Roar and Snore experience at stay at the zoo overnight.  One of Taronga Zoo’s highlights every year is its inclusion in the Vivid Sydney festival in May, in which the Zoo is lit up with a number of animal-themed installations around the grounds and accessed in the evening moonlight.

    Whilst visitors can drive to the Zoo, the ultimate experience is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay across to the Zoo and enjoy the sights of the Sydney Harbour along the way. The Zoo is a not for profit establishment with all money raised funneled back into the Zoo’s important conservation projects.

    Recommended by Leah Smileski from The Kid Bucket List.  Find out more from Leah about the Sydney Zoo.

     

    Toronto Zoo – Toronto, Canada

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    The Toronto Zoo can be reached with a metro-bus combination from downtown Toronto. With 287 hectares, it is the largest zoo in Canada, and visitors should come prepared to walk a lot. The animals get a lot of space at this zoo, which is nice, but sometimes they are hard to spot, especially for young children.  For the past five years the main zoo attraction has been the pandas, but they were moved to Calgary in March 2018.  There are still plenty of other animals to see and the Zoo’s Africa Savannah section houses lions, zebras and very cute pygmy hippopotamuses. What made the Toronto Zoo special for us was its large exhibit of Canadian wildlife. We got to see grizzly bears, cougars, elk and other animals without having to travel to Alaska or other more remote parts of Canada.

    Recommended by Tikva from Gezin op Reis.

     

    Vienna Zoo – Vienna, Austria

    As we wandered aimlessly around the Berlin Zoo looking for the panda we wanted to see, we grew more and more impatient. Soon as we saw a keeper, we asked for directions and were told that the panda was no longer at the zoo. All four of us were so upset that when we added Vienna on our itinerary, there was one place that was top of the list….the Vienna Zoo.  Little did we know how amazing the entire Zoo would be for our family.

    There was so much to do other than seeing the animals. My daughters were a little younger then and just looking at animals was something that Marley could not always do whereas Willow was amazed by the enclosures and all the different animals that were housed there. Marley could let off some steam in the play areas located all over the Zoo.

    The paths were nice and wide for prams with not many hills to tire out those little legs. What I liked the most was that the enclosures were a sight in themselves. They all looked fantastic and really well-kept. We even got to see the pandas at play while we were there!  We also found a restaurant just inside the Zoo that had a great menu for us to all sit and have a proper meal after wandering the Zoo for a few hours. No deep-fried stuff…we all had a great main meal at a really good price too.

    We went on a cold wintery day, and we didn’t find that we were cold as we were sheltered from the wind by the Zoo.  There was little rain, but there were plenty of places to take cover if we needed to. The Vienna Zoo is the world’s oldest zoo, a great place to visit, and kids love it!

    Recommended by Bec Wyld from Wyld Family Travel.  Find out more from Bec about the Vienna Zoo.

     

    Xcaret Park – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    Xcaret Park has dozens of exhibits, including a huge aviary, a butterfly pavilion, an aquarium complete with big lagoons containing sea turtles, manatees and sting rays as well as Jaguar Island, which includes both black and spotted jaguars. With wildlife around every corner, visitors can spend half the day enjoying the fauna and the other half enjoying the underground rivers, attractions and cultural displays of Mexico. Our family has enjoyed ourselves every time we’ve visited, and the kids always say they want to go back.

    Recommended by Charles Kosman from The Barefoot Nomad.  Find out more from Charles about Xcaret.

     

    Zoo Berlin – Berlin, Germany

    A world-class zoo with respected animal care and preservation programs, Zoo Berlin is “home to the world’s largest variety of species”. The Zoo is extensive and houses nearly 20,000 animals of about 1,400 species, and many of the enclosures appear like the animals’ natural habitat. There is also a petting zoo, a nocturnal house, and a bird house where colorful birds fly freely. Entry to the aquarium portion requires an extra fee.

    Millions of annual visitors enjoy learning about animals and conservation at Zoo Berlin, and they can also view daily animal feedings. Most signs are in English as well as German. An interactive app is available to download, with zoo schedules, map features, and animal information. A variety of food and beverages is available at restaurants and kiosks.  One restaurant looks onto a large playground with a climbing structure for kids.

    Amidst all the activity, there are beautiful, wide, garden-like pathways. These promenades extend along manicured grass and low hedges, interspersed with groupings of roses abloom in summer, and fountains that spout and splash.  Plenty of benches invite a rest under the shade of nearby trees. In the big city of Berlin, the zoo offers a peaceful day out.

    Recommended by Sandy Nielsen from Sleeps5.  Find out more from Sandy about Berlin.

     

    We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so man of the top zoos of the world that we have not yet visited.  If you want to read about more amazing zoos, check out our post on the Best U.S. Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited during our travels.

  • Best U.S. Zoos With Kids

    Best U.S. Zoos With Kids

    Like most kids, my kids love zoos.  We have been regular visitors of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since my oldest was a few months old and even had an annual membership there for years.  Zoos are generally great for families – they are a stroller paradise, and even the youngest babies are mesmerized by the animal habitats.  They also offer great educational opportunities – my kids learned about many animals by watching them in their habitats.  They could identify armadillos as toddlers and knew that giraffes like to eat lettuce because they’ve had the opportunity to feed them on several different occasions. With zoos in almost every metropolitan area in the U.S., we asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites and came up with this list of the best U.S. zoos with kids:

     

    Bronx Zoo – Bronx, New York

    A trip to New York City conjures up thoughts of big buildings and the urban jungle. But a short subway ride away, up in the borough of the Bronx, is one of the most iconic, world-famous zoos.  The Bronx Zoo is very large with various exhibits and attractions. The Zoo is open year-round and features outdoor animals like bears, sea lions, tigers, and wild dogs along with indoor exhibits such as the aviary, giraffe house, monkey house, world of reptiles and our favorite, the Madagascar exhibit.

    In addition to the animals, my family loves the attractions at the Bronx Zoo – from the newly renovated children’s zoo, to the bug carousel and the World Asia Monorail! We have visited the Bronx Zoo often, and always have trouble seeing everything in one day!

    Recommended by Harmony from Momma To Go.

     

    Dallas Zoo – Dallas, Texas

    The Dallas Zoo includes 100 acres of not only animal exhibits, but educational and interactive exhibits for all ages! This zoo is perfect for kids of all ages! Our family favorites include the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo and the Wilds of Africa Adventure Safari Monorail. We’ve spent hours in the Children’s Zoo playing, exploring, hand feeding birds, splashing in the creek that runs through the nature playground and petting the farm animals – it’s the perfect spot to let the kids explore! The monorail also provides the perfect break for those tired feet as it gives everyone a birds-eye view of five African habitats that visitors can’t visit by foot. This ride provides amazing views of hippos, chimps, crocodiles, penguins, and many more animals, along with a beautiful ride through a waterfall!

    For elephant fans like us, the Giants of the Savannah habitat is a big hit – it’s the only multi-species zoo exhibit in the US to mix elephants with other species like zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, in the same habitat!

    Recommended by Ashley Clark from Timeout in Paradise.

     

    Denver Zoo – Denver, Colorado

    One of our favorite zoos is the Denver Zoo. We love being able to witness the baby animals. Over the past few years, we have seen infant red pandas, gorillas, bongos and zebras. But, one of our favorite experiences has been watching a baby giraffe growing up. Dobby was a surprise birth. He was born during the time when everyone’s focus was on April the giraffe giving birth in 2017. Surprise! Nobody knew that Dobby’s mom was pregnant until she gave birth in February to the reticulated infant giraffe. We have enjoyed watching the little guy (well, big guy now) growing stronger and taller.

    Recommended by Lance Hale from Family Well Traveled.

     

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Orlando, Florida

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most unique zoological theme park that we’ve ever experienced! In fact, it is an enriching cultural experience. We have done complete cultural lessons for our “ABCs” (our four children) just by spending intentional time in the themed areas! From admiring the architecture, taking part in cultural traditions, dining on authentic food, and even hearing stories from cast members about their home country, it is full of depth and richness.

    As for the amazing animals, they are relatively free roaming in their natural environments. Visitors meet most of them on an open-air safari tour or on exotic jungle trails woven throughout the park. Kids can also take part in a free Wilderness Explorers program where they can earn badges for attending brief lessons about the animals. It is great for engagement, a special souvenir, and is an awesome learning experience.

    And then, lastly, there are the world-renowned rides and attractions! Each ride is amazing, and a lot of people come just for the rides. However, we encourage visiting families to spend a whole day there and really take their time exploring the details of the park. There is so much depth and richness to uncover.

    Recommended by Danielle Weiden from Traveling ABCs.

     

    Fort Worth Zoo – Fort Worth, Texas

    Among the greatest features of Fort Worth Zoo is the “Wilder Vision,” backed by a $100 million project spanning ten years including an additional ten acres of exhibit space, experiential dining, new ways to observe and interact with animals, and conservation efforts. Our favorites activities at the Zoo include:

    • Eating With Crocodiles: With only a glass barrier separating visitors and the wild, dine in an underwater viewing area at Crocodile Café.
    • Interacting with animals: Feed free-roaming giraffes on the African Savanna, offer cockatiels and parrots birdseed in the walk-through Parrot Paradise Aviary, or cuddle snakes in the award-winning 30,000 square foot indoor/outdoor Herpetarium.
    • Splashing in the wild: Play at the 14,000 square foot animal-themed Safari Splash water park.
    • Untamed Learning: Kids can participate in formal educational classes taught by certified teachers for all ages including preschool, middle school camps, a high school career camp and full day summer camps. Amy Coslik, Fort Worth Zoo Animal Projects Coordinator and mother of two states: “The camps provide opportunity to learn about and work in all areas of the Zoo, including our one-of-a-kind Nutrition Services department…responsible for feeding all 7,000 animals at the Zoo.” Programs highlight enrichment for animals and conservation while using electronic resources and hands-on techniques.

    Recommended by Brandy Morgan from Kid Allergy Travel.

     

    Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska

    Omaha’s zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, is located just off I-80 and is an easy stop for families heading across the country or spending a little time in Nebraska. Kids will love some of the largest displays of their kind, constant development of new exhibits, and a friendly Midwestern vibe. A large aquarium houses jellyfish, penguins, and a shark tank with a tunnel to walk through.

    There’s also a sting ray touch tank for some hands-on time with animals. Another highlight is the new African Grasslands exhibit with elephants and giraffes, part of which is under the “Skyfari” aerial tram that runs across the campus. Then visitors can head over to the world’s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome, which is an iconic Omaha landmark. There are also cats and apes and sea lions and bugs.  For another reason to go, the team at the zoo conducts world-class research and conservation efforts that are truly unique. Visitors’ patronage supports plant and animal restoration locally and abroad.
    It’s a must see for anyone passing through Omaha!

    Recommended by Joshua from One Good Family Life.

     

    Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago, Illinois

    The Lincoln Park Zoo is a completely free park. Visitors can walk right in at any of the six gates. There’re no turnstiles, no actual gates and no wristbands. We took the CTA bus route No. 151 from the AC Marriott Hotel near the Magnificent Mile and were dropped off right in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo sign. While the indoor buildings don’t open until 10 a.m., the gates open at 7 a.m., which allows for families to view animals when they are most active. A visit to this zoo during our recent 2-night trip to Chicago was a perfect break from the typical Chicago sights. This is a decent sized zoo, with a variety of animals and an amazing view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Visitors can spend a few hours or pack a picnic and turn it into a full day visit. Pro tip: Don’t miss the climbing structure or the otters, which are located in the building near the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

     

    The Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, Maryland

    While not possessing the grandeur of the National Zoo, Baltimore’s Maryland Zoo is a kid-friendly and logistically easy day out.  Visitors need a car to get to the Zoo, as it is not walkable from downtown Baltimore. Those with young kids should take the shuttle to the main entrance as the walk is long, and kids will tire out. My suggestion is to first head to the Polar Bear Watch, which is near the entrance and gives kids the quick gratification of watching the bears up close, swimming and playing with toys. Afterwards, move on to African Journey, where kids can feed giraffes and watch elephants play in water with one another. Then, on to Maryland Wilderness.

    Kids enjoy the nooks and crannies of the zoo, including oversized bird nests for climbing, lily pads to jump across, tree slides, a bat cave and even a petting zoo area. There is also a small merry-go-round for younger kids.

    The Maryland Zoo does offer a couple of unremarkable food stands with pizza, hot-dogs, salads, burgers and chicken fingers. A nice alternative is to pack a picnic lunch. The Zoo is nicely shaded and plenty of grassy areas beckon a blanket and a relaxing lunch.


    Recommended by Alison Netzer from Five Family Adventurers.


    The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens – Miami, Florida

    The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, or simply Zoo Miami, is one of our favourites. Here are the reasons why we absolutely love it:

    • It is the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental United States. Because of south Florida’s climate, many animals from tropical places feel right at home here.
    • Visitors will be hard pressed to find animals in cages. Because of this zoo’s commitment to animal welfare, the displays are mostly open air, yet very safe for the public.
    • Visitors can explore the zoo on a Safari Cycle (a pedal-powered bicycle/vehicle that can accommodate up to 8 people). This is a perfect way to see this massive zoo.
    • Visitors can watch animal feedings or even feed the giraffes, rhinos, camels, giant tortoises and parrots themselves.
    • The zoo is very large (750 acres) and thorough visitors who wish to come back within ten days of their original visit receive reduced admission.

    Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags.

     

    Philadelphia Zoo – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the U.S. dating from 1859. Despite its history and architecture, there’s nothing old-fashioned about this Zoo. It has a 4-D Migration Theater and research centres as well as see-through mesh walkways that go above the treetops all throughout the 42-acre facility. My kids loved watching animals (mostly monkeys) scamper overhead on the walkways. It’s easy to get to the Philadelphia Zoo – there’s good parking facilities, which are great for a city-centre zoo. Nearby there is also the 2000-acre Fairmount Park which, is wonderful for a roam when the kids need to let off some steam.

    Recommended by Shobha George of Just Go Places.  Find out more from Shobha about visiting Philadelphia.

     

    Riverbanks Zoo & Garden – Columbia, South Carolina

    With over 2,000 animals, eight different gardens, and even a few historical landmarks, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina is one of our favorite zoos! Why? Well, mainly because of a very simple reason: it is so easily walkable. After visiting zoos throughout the United States, we have truly come to appreciate a zoo that has exhibits located close enough together that little feet can walk with ease. Riverbanks Zoo has attractions including train rides, zip lines, and even a splash zone which is always fun for kids of all ages. But, our family favorites are the animal demonstrations like the penguin presentation and feeding the giraffes!

    Recommended by Julie from More than Main Street.  Check out their family friendly guide to Columbia, South Carolina for more ideas of things to do in South Carolina’s state capital.

     

    San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California

    The San Diego Zoo is world famous and for good reason. Not only is this 100-acre zoo huge, but it’s home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 650 species. The San Diego Zoo offers several options to help visitors see as many animals as possible. For walking, a stroller is a must, and stroller rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To get to the other side of the zoo, there is the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which offers some incredible views at the same time. For tired legs, there’s a double-decker bus that provides guided bus tours that cover most of the zoo, while the Kangaroo Bus is a hop on/hop off bus with four different stops throughout the zoo. Transportation aside, what truly makes the San Diego Zoo exceptional is the host of different animals to see. Not to be missed are the pandas, koalas, orangutans, and polar bears.

    In addition to all that, the San Diego Zoo is located within the beautiful Balboa Park. Though the zoo is likely to take an entire day to visit, there is also plenty more to see nearby.

    Recommended by Celine from Baby Can Travel.  Find out more from Celine about the San Diego Zoo.

     

    Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Washington, D.C.

    The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a family favorite, and it’s a free admission zoo that is open 364 days per year. The 163-acre large park located in Washington, D.C. offers 18 distinct areas and is home to over 2,000 animals, 25% of which are endangered. Not to be missed animals include the endangered Giant Pandas (follow the panda camera from home), The Great Ape House (see the first orangutan born at the National Zoo in 25 years), the American Trail and the Great Cats. We recommend taking public transportation to the National Zoo and enjoying it in the early morning when the pandas and other large animals are most active. The National Zoo is built on a hill, so take that into consideration when planning a trip with young children. While the zoo is free, food is very costly so plan accordingly and visit around meals or bring a picnic and lots of water. Visitors should plan on a minimum of three hours to enjoy this Zoo, but a full day at the massive National Zoo would not be difficult to imagine.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.  Find out more from Ruth about Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

    We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so many of these top zoos in the U.S. that we have not yet visited.  Make sure to check out our post on the Best International Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited with kids during our travels.