What is the Best Zoo in the US?

It depends on who you ask. According to America's Best Online I have been to a couple of the best zoos in the country. Here is a little bit of their list, with my take. Interesting that the Atlanta Zoo wasn't on this list, because we rated it as the top Zoo in the southeast. Also interesting that Lowry Park Zoo was rated the top kid zoo. Hopefully, that is true because we can't wait to take our kid to the zoo. Check out this list below.

1. San Diego Zoo

I have heard many times that the San Diego Zoo is at or near the top of the best zoos list. I really want to go here. Unfortunately, I have not been West of Arizona. Hopefully, I will be able to get you my own review of this zoo. Maybe I can share the review of one of our followers also.

2. Disney's Animal Kingdom

We recently did a review of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here it is.

3. San Diego Wild Animal Park

I haven't heard as much about this one, but if we make it out to San Diego we will surely go here as well.

4. Maryland Zoo

We recently did a review of the Maryland Zoo as well. Here that is.

5. Bronx Zoo

I have never been to New York. Jenna has, but neither of us has seen this zoo. We hope that changes sometime soon, because we have heard many say that this zoo is the best.

6. Columbus Zoo

Much like the Bronx Zoo, we have heard many people claim that this zoo is the best in the US. We may be able to go to this zoo this summer, but we will see if it happens.

7. San Antonio Zoo

I actually have been to San Antonio with my family, but did not go to this zoo. I did go to Sea World San Antonio and that review is coming soon, but not the zoo. I would love to go back to San Antonio at some point and check out the zoo. It is a very interesting city.

8. Henry Doorly Zoo

This zoo is in Nebraska. I have never heard of it before. I am kind of shocked to see it on the list. Apparently, it is home to the largest indoor rain forest in the world and that is the big appeal. This is probably the zoo in the Top Ten that we are least likely to go to, but you never know.

9. Phoenix Zoo

I have been to the Phoenix Zoo a few times when I was little and my aunt lived in Arizona. I do not remember it too well and certainly not well enough to do a review, but I remember a good time. Wouldn't mind going back.

10. St. Louis Zoo

I am surprised to see this zoo in the Top Ten as well. You don't usually hear too many people talk about the St. Louis Zoo. It is a free zoo which is one plus and is one of the leading research zoos. Looks like we may have to check this one out.

-Noland

Top Ten Zoos In the Southeast

It is my birthday today and one of my favorite things on this earth are countdowns and countdown shows. Because of that I decided that I would do a countdown of the top 10 zoos in the southeast. We live in Florida and I grew up in Virginia so the majority of the zoos I have been to are in the southeast. For purposes of this assignment we will call the southeast anything south of Baltimore on the east coast.

Add in Maryland and take out the non coastal states and then this map is where we are going off. MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL. We will count theme parks and aquariums as part of this countdown. Unfortunately if we have not been to the zoo it can not be included on the countdown.

10) Florida Aquarium, Tampa, FL
Review to come soon. Visit in 2011.

9) National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD
Review here

Main Tank at the National Aquarium

8) National Zoo, Washington DC
Review Here

The biggest draw at the National Zoo, their Giant Panda Exhibit. Well other than the fact that it is free!

7) Sea World, Orlando, FL
Review coming soon. Trying to wait for a return visit to get an updated review before posting.

Shamu

6) Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, FL
Review Here

Penguin Feeding at Lowry Park Zoo

5) Jacksonville Zoo, Jacksonville, FL
I've been to this zoo many times in the past, but Jenna and I just went together last week. Our review is coming very soon.

4) Maryland Zoo, Baltimore, MD
Review Here.

Arctic Fox @ Maryland Zoo

3) Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL
Review posted 3 days ago. Click on the FL tab for more on Busch Gardens Tampa.

This picture was not in the review. It is a Gorilla napping @ Busch Gardens Tampa.

2) Disney's Animal Kingdom, Kissimmee, FL
Review Here

Tree of Life @ Disney's Animal Kingdom

And the number one animal attraction in the southeast is.....
Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Full Review Here

They had close views of my favorite the Rhino!

They also had a baby komodo dragon feeding when we went.

Zoo Atlanta is very deserving of #1. It was so close between it and Animal Kingdom though.

However, if this was talking about each park and not just the animal portion, I would go with Busch Gardens Tampa. I suggest you check out all of these places if you can!

Let us know if you think we missed anything or if we need to check another zoo out. Also if you have different rankings please share.

-Noland