Summer is quickly approaching and as schools close down for the break many parents are looking for ideas to keep their children entertained. One of the best family-friendly activities readily available in many cities are zoos. The U.S. has some of the world's foremost zoos and they are well worth visiting if you happen to live in or be visiting the cities they are in. Additionally, during the summer holidays there are often discounts, making the season an ideal time to visit, and you can get zoo coupons here. Here's a look at some of the top zoos you can check out summer 2014.
San Diego Zoo
With over 3,700 animals and several unique exhibits, the San Diego always ranks as one of the best and averages over 3 million visitors every year. The San Diego Zoo is one of only four U.S. zoos that have pandas (the others are in Atlanta, Memphis, and Washington D.C.); some of the other animals you can see include Galapagos tortoises, lions, elephants, tigers, and so much more. There are several activities and educational programs that you can enjoy in the park, including a skyride and bus tours. For those with kids, the children's zoo is a great place to stop by with a discovery park and opportunities to interact with some of the animals.
Henry Doorly Zoo
Another zoo that ranks high among favorites for visitors is Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. It also features summer camps and classes as well as promoting conservation efforts. There are a multitude of wonderful exhibits including Orangutans, a Madagascar experience, and a desert dome.
St. Louis Zoo
There's no charge to enter the St. Louis Zoo, which since its opening in 1904 has come to include over 650 species, including a relative of the Western Black Rhino that was officially declared extinct. It's the place for penguin lovers; you can see them playing in a 22-foot waterfall. You'll even find a ferris wheel, a train to take you around the park, and an children's playground that crosses through the otter exhibit.
Columbus Zoo
Located in Powell, Ohio the Columbus Zoo recently opened a Safari Africa exhibit that resembles the Serengeti. Here you'll spy lions, zebras, giraffes, gorillas, and bears--oh my! There's over 793 species and if you get tired of the animals you can try out the zoo's 18-hole golf course, amusement park, or the water park.
Bronx Zoo
If you are in the Big Apple drop by the nation's largest urban zoo in the Bronx to take the 20-minute monorail train through the Wild Asia exhibit or go to the Congo Gorilla Forest. The children's zoo let's kids nest inside a heron's home, jump like a frog, dig like the prairie dog, and crawl into a turtle's shell. Speaking of turtles, there's a 100-year-old snapping turtle living in the excellent reptile house and Komodo dragons.
Houston Zoo
With 55 acres of park and 900 species there's lots to see and learn. Zoo trainers can be seen throughout the day, interacting with lions, elephants, and feeding pelicans. Other attractions include the new African Forest and crawling through a piranha aquarium!
Cincinnati Zoo
Also located in Ohio, the Cincinnati Zoo features an adjacent Botanical Garden and an excellent children's zoo. Kids can go to the nursery and feed baby animals and maybe even change the diapers. Visit the spectacular Sumatran rhino in the Wildlife Canyon or poke your head into a glass bubble to see a manatee face-to-face. For those who love later hours, there's also a Family Night Hike.
Brooksfield Zoo
Chicago has 5 zoos in total, but the Brooksfield is ranked as the favorite with its multi-species exhibits and Hamill Family Play Zoo. In its 216-acre park you can go on a South American adventure, visit primates from three continents, and check out the newest exhibit, the Great Bear Wilderness.
Lowry Park Zoo
If you have kids who love to get up close and personal then Tampa's nonprofit Lowry Park Zoo is the place to go. They can feed parakeets lollipops made of birdseed, brush a goat's fur, but make sure they watch out for the kangaroos and wallabies hopping across the road.
