Smithsonian's National Zoo
Washington, DC · free admission · pandas
38.9296, -77.0494
Showcase
Map of Top US Zoos
The best zoos in the United States plotted on one interactive map.
DC / Mid-Atlantic
1 locationMidwest
8 locationsHenry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Omaha, NE · world's largest indoor desert + nocturnal exhibit
Frequently ranked the #1 zoo in the world by visitor surveys.
41.2278, -95.9244
Saint Louis Zoo
St. Louis, MO · free admission
38.6359, -90.2902
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield, IL (Chicago) · 216 acres
41.8331, -87.8307
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL · free · est. 1868
41.9214, -87.6359
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus, OH
40.1542, -83.1247
Toledo Zoo
Toledo, OH
41.6312, -83.5826
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Cincinnati, OH · 2nd-oldest US zoo
39.1437, -84.5092
Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley, MN
44.7649, -93.1894
Mountain West
1 locationDenver Zoo
Denver, CO · 80 acres
39.7497, -104.9514
Northeast
2 locationsBronx Zoo
Bronx, NY · 265 acres · largest US metropolitan zoo
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States.
40.8506, -73.8770
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA · America's first zoo (1874)
39.9740, -75.1953
Pacific NW
2 locationsOregon Zoo
Portland, OR · oldest zoo west of the Mississippi
45.5093, -122.7163
Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle, WA · pioneering naturalistic exhibits
47.6700, -122.3540
South
7 locationsMemphis Zoo
Memphis, TN
35.1493, -89.9933
Zoo Atlanta
Atlanta, GA · gorillas + pandas
33.7335, -84.3722
Audubon Zoo
New Orleans, LA · Louisiana Swamp exhibit
29.9347, -90.1241
Houston Zoo
Houston, TX
29.7155, -95.3897
Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth, TX · ranked #1 by USA Today
32.7253, -97.3592
Dallas Zoo
Dallas, TX · oldest + largest in Texas
32.7430, -96.8197
Zoo Miami
Miami, FL · only sub-tropical US zoo
25.6088, -80.3973
West
4 locationsSan Diego Zoo
San Diego, CA · 4,000 animals · 800+ species
Widely regarded as the best zoo in the US. Pioneer of open-habitat exhibits.
32.7353, -117.1490
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido, CA · 1,800-acre savanna setting
33.0967, -116.9924
Los Angeles Zoo
Los Angeles, CA
34.1500, -118.2862
Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix, AZ · largest privately-owned non-profit zoo
33.4534, -111.9474
America's best zoos
The US has 230+ accredited zoos. These are the most-celebrated.
- San Diego Zoo: widely ranked #1 in the US — pioneered open-habitat exhibits
- Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha): often ranked #1 in the world by visitors
- Bronx Zoo: largest metropolitan zoo in the US (265 acres)
- Smithsonian National Zoo (DC): free + home of pandas
Free zoos worth visiting
Several major US zoos charge nothing for admission.
- Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago): free, est. 1868
- Smithsonian National Zoo (DC): free, part of the Smithsonian
- Saint Louis Zoo: free, ranked among the world's best
- Salisbury Zoo (MD), Cape May County Zoo (NJ), and a few others
Pro tips
Zoo trips work better with a little planning.
- Go on weekday mornings for fewer crowds
- Major zoos take 4-6 hours — wear comfortable shoes
- Check feeding times — they're the most-engaging exhibits
- Many zoos have member-only early access hours
Frequently asked questions
Best US zoo?
San Diego Zoo is widely considered #1; Henry Doorly (Omaha) often ranks #1 globally by visitor surveys.
Oldest US zoo?
Philadelphia Zoo (1874) is officially the first US zoo. Lincoln Park (Chicago) is also one of the oldest.
Largest US zoo?
By area: San Diego Zoo Safari Park at 1,800 acres. Within a city: Bronx Zoo at 265 acres.
Free zoos?
Lincoln Park (Chicago), Smithsonian National (DC), and Saint Louis Zoo are all free.
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