6 Fantastic US Zoos

There is no need to travel far and wide to see wildlife in their natural habitats. Sure it would be nice to venture out on a once-in-a-lifetime African safari ride, yet for those who want to keep it a bit cheaper & closer to home, there are lots of wonderful zoos from coast to coast. From the world famous San Diego Zoo (one of only a few US zoos to house a Panda), to the amazing Brookfield Zoo (featuring an incredible interactive dolphin show) in Chicago, there are wonderful options no matter where you live.

It’s hard to top Brookfield in my opinion (I may be a bit biased as a Chicago native), but I’ve come across so many contenders in my years traveling. In my guide, I will highlight a few of my favorites.

The San Diego Zoo

I really loved visiting San Diego’s world-class zoo; you really can’t beat the wonderful layout here. It is home to a diverse variety of animals including The Great Panda. Over 3000 animals including 300 different species inhabit the park so it’s a pretty massive place that requires lots and lots of walking. In fact, I would call a day out here more of a workout at the gym. Be prepared for lots of walking up hill (I recommend wearing fitness apparel).

Being located on 100 acres in beautiful Balboa Park, the grounds are lush and natural, with a diverse variety of greenery everywhere. While it’s most known for being home to the rare Panda, a diverse range of species including Koalas, Flamingos, and Grizzlies also call Balboa their home.

One of the exhibits I really loved was this underwater hippo viewing area. I’ve seen various bear underwater exhibits, but never one dedicated to hippos.

All of the animals appear to be well taken care of. The enclosures are large, clean, & nicely landscaped, and the surroundings resemble what I think the natural habitat would look like.

The zoo is very spacious with hilly terrain, meaning you will get in an awesome workout for the day if you decide to walk the entire zoo (plan for 4-5 hours). If at any point your feet need a break, I recommend relaxing on the Skyfari ride and the Guided Bus Tour, both included with your admission ticket.

This is one of the pricest around, however, it is also one of the cleanest, most diverse, and most beautifully landscaped zoos you will ever come across. And, for that, it is more than worthy of a visit in my opinion. It was a bit crazy whipping out over 70 bucks a person, but I guess you get what you pay for.

UPDATE: The 3 pandas we saw returned to their homeland in China in 2019. 2 new pandas made their debut in August of 2024. Nevertheless, this zoo is still amazing and worthy of an addition to your San Diego bucket list.

• Location: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101,
• Admission: $76 per adult, $66 child (3-11), includes free parking & the bus/aerial ride. Prices at the gate are an addition $2. Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: Arrive early & head straight to the pandas to avoid the hour plus wait. I recommend gym shoes & workout attire due to the immense walking required. Also, check for coupons on the back of hotel brochures for as much as $5 off each ticket.
• Don’t miss out on other top attractions in the city. Here’s my guide to the best of San Diego.

Brookfield Zoo

I love Chicago’s beautiful suburban zoo; it is one of the nicest zoos to stroll around. The grounds are very spacious, with over 2500 animals & 450 species spread out throughout 216 acres. The entire park is heavily treed, with lots of shade trees. I feel more like I am at a park which is a nice thing for me as a nature lover and hiker. I’ve been visiting this zoo for over 30 years and it never gets old. It’s truly one of the country’s nicest.

I love strolling around in the summer, enjoying a picnic in the trees, and then watching the incredible dolphin show later in the afternoon. It is easily one of the city’s top attractions to check out during the summer months.

There are a number of exhibits here which I feel set this zoo apart from others. I’ve never come across an exhibit as amazing as Tropic World, an amazing indoor primate habitat which takes you through several continents. I am really excited to check out the new Tropical Forests primate habit which just opened in 2025. You can read more about it on the Brookfield website. I am definitely checking it out on my next summer visit to the city.

I also really love the interactive dolphin show. I’ve been going to this show since I was a kid and it is still just as spectacular as it was back then. I love how they pick a kid from the audience to help with the tricks (my sister got picked once when we were younger). I have great memories watching this show and it never seems to change no matter how many years go by!

One of my all time favorite exhibits is the underwater brown bear swimming. While it is supposed to be rare to see these bears swimming, I saw one fully underwater not too long after the exhibit opened in 2010.

Overall, Brookfield is without a doubt one of the best in the country. The grounds are beautiful, the exhibits are wonderful (especially the indoor ones), and the price isn’t too bad considering the massive space.

• Location: 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
• Admission: $30 adults, $21 (3-11) $25 senior, Dolphin show $8 ($6 for seniors and kids), Parking is $17 (North Gate) and $20 (South Gate). Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: Check out “Holiday Magic,” in December, featuring over 2 million lights & specialty holiday activities. This is easily one of Chicagoland’s largest & most festive holiday celebrations.

Lowry Park Zoo (now Zoo Tampa)

Tampa’s little zoo is another great choice, and a nice activity alternative when you tire of the beach scene. Because it is warm all year on the Gulf, this is a nice place to visit when it is cold everywhere else. While other zoos are freezing cold and unbearable when December-February extreme weather hits, this happens to be the prime time to enjoy outdoor fun in Tampa.

It’s a bit on the small size at just 63 acres, yet easily walkable. You can cover the entire grounds in about an hour or 2 at most. I was a member while living in the metro and enjoyed strolls a few times a month just to do something different than lying at the beach.

Unique attractions here include: a stingray petting exhibit, several rides (including a water flume ride which is a nice cool off during the hot, humid summer months), and fantastic elephant, zebra, & koala exhibits. The Primate station, underwater manatee viewing area, and Aviary are my personal favorites.

Do take some time to listen to the zookeeper Koala talk. You will learn a lot of interesting new facts including some gross details about the koala’s eating habits (I’ll save the surprise!).

The underwater manatee viewing area is pretty cool and not something I’ve seen elsewhere. Manatees are native to the area; I actually had one swim right up to me one time while swimming at a Gulf Beach. It was a scary experience as I mistook it for a shark at first glance! I do enjoying viewing them from the safety of this glass tank.

The landscaping is very nice here with a beautiful mix of all different types of trees including some tropical palms. The path is nicely laid out, clean, and easy to follow.

One of the unique annual events is Zoo Run Run, a fun 5k running right through the zoo. As an added bonus, you get free admission for yourself and 1 guest. A fun event to check out if you happen to enjoy traveling for unique 5ks.

Pricing is quite high for such a small zoo, however, you receive free admission for the rest of the year. This is a great deal for locals as you also receive entry to seasonal events.

• Location: 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
• Admission: $52 per adult, $42 (ages 3-11). Free parking. Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: Visit early in the day to avoid the intense crowds & afternoon summer heat. Additionally, check sites like Groupon/LivingSocial for special promotions.
• Tampa is actually an underrated city. There’s lots to do here no matter your interest. Check out my guide to the best-of-the-best after living in the metro for more than 3 years.

The Phoenix Zoo

This wonderful desert oasis in Phoenix is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo. It’s located on 125 acres in gorgeous Papago Park, and home to 3000 animals, including 30 endangered species. If you are visiting from anywhere outside of Arizona, it’s quite interesting to see all the unique desert plant life.

I lived in Tucson for a few years and never tired of seeing the desert scenery. This zoo was frequently on my list when visiting Phoenix for the day. I really love the diverse landscaping here which includes: cacti, palm trees, and even a small lake.

One of my favorite sections of the zoo is the Arizona Trail. This section houses animals and plants native to the Sonoran desert including the beautiful Saguaro cactus, the Mexican Gray Wolf, the cougar, and the javelina. It’s so natural and beautiful.

The walk through Squirrel Monkey exhibit is pretty spectacular. I love seeing the monkeys climb just inches from my face.

Overall, it’s a unique zoo to visit, not only to see the many endangered species which call the zoo home, but also to enjoy the interesting plant life that you will find nowhere else besides Arizona!

• Location: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
• Admission: $38 per adult, $28 (ages 3-13). Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: The zoo opens an hour early during the summer season (opening at 7am from June 1-Aug. 31st), so use this time to escape both the crowds and heat. At this time, the zoo will be practically empty, enabling you to stroll the grounds in peace. Although misters and plenty of shade can be found throughout the grounds, arriving right in the morning will mean at least a 20 degree temperature difference. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
• Phoenix is another underrated city even though it has a bad reputation. There’s a lot more to do here than just shopping at big chains. My guide covers the top hiking trails, restaurants, museums, and more.

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo houses 4000 animals & 700 species on just 80 acres, and therefore, is not nearly as spread out as some others on this list. It has won numerous awards including “Greenest Zoo” for its’ continued efforts to be environmentally friendly.

One exhibit which really stood out ot me was Bird World, an indoor aviary featuring over 200 diverse species, as well as flamingos. I also enjoyed Primate Panorama and the new Elephant Passage featuring 2 miles of trails on 10 acres.

Overall, it’s a nice little zoo to check out if you happen to be visiting the area. Great exhibits, lots of up close encounters, and affordability make it a great choice while in the Mile High city. Unlike many bigger zoos, you can walk this zoo within a few hours. This is a big bonus as there is lots you will want to see in the city.

• Location: 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
  Admission: $26 per adult, $23 senior, $19 (ages 3-15). Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: Take it easy if coming from a low elevation area. The dry air combined with high altitude (5000 feet) means you need to take it a slower than normal. Experts recommend drinking extra water to prevent dehydration. Also check out Zoo Lights if visiting in December!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Although it is not my favorite Disney park, Animal Kingdom is worthy of a visit if you have the time, need a bit of a break from endless theme park rides, and in general, like zoos.

With 2000 animals and 300 species on 500 acres of land, it’s one of the world’s largest theme parks. You can learn more about the diversity of animals on the Animal Kingdom website.

The prime reason to incorporate this park into your Disney itinerary is to take the fantastic open air ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari, where you will see giraffes, elephants, & lions seemingly roaming free in their lush, nature inspired surroundings.

Of course, like all Disney parks, you will find a few rides here, although not nearly as much as the other 3 parks. The main attraction, a themed Himalayan coaster called Expedition Everest, is one of the best roller coasters in all the Disney parks. It also happens to be the world’s most expensive due to the elaborate design. The other major ride, Kali River Rapids, is a thrilling whitewater adventure: the ultimate cool down on a hot, sunny summer afternoon. So although there are only a few rides here, they are fantastic!

• Location: 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32830
• Admission: Starting at $119, depending on time of year/day. Pricing current as of 2025.
• Tips: Plan for about a half day. Even with the rides, safari, and strolling around the animal exhibits, that’s about all you need. This is where the park hopper pass comes in handy!
• Check out my Orlando vacation guide for more info on things to do while you are vacationing here.

Update: I’ve visited a number of great zoos since originally writing this guide. I would definitely add the amazing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium to this list.

Cleveland’s zoo is massive at 183 acres and also very beautiful with lots of gorgeous trees. There are a number of interesting exhibits here including Asian Highlands featuring red pandas and snow leopards and The Primate, Cat, and Aquatics house, accessible via a tram ride of beautiful canopy walk. I also love the Christmas light show and the Asian Lantern festival.

Pittsburgh’s Zoo is small but also located in a beautiful park-like setting. I love the underwater polar bear swimming exhibit. Also, this zoo is only one of 6 to combine an aquarium which is pretty cool. Like Cleveland, they host a great Asian Lantern festival and one of the best Halloween Jack O’Lantern spectaculars I’ve ever attended.