From the adorable to the ferocious, see wildlife at the 10 best zoos in the US

Hop aboard the Safari Express train, relax on the Conservation Cruise, or simply enjoy seeing over 400 different species of animals at this Wichita-based zoo. Here you’ll meet more than 3,000 animals including Amur tigers, Sumatran orangutans, chimpanzees, Asian forest scorpions, and plenty more, with opportunities for wildlife encounters like feeding a giant Aldabra tortoise or even a rhino!

Palm Springs’ Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, situated on 1,200 protected acres, is home to over 150 species of wildlife. Gaze at some delightful animals including the laughing kookaburra, banded mongoose, bat-eared fox, patas monkey, cougar, and blue-tongued skink. Then, cool off at the Oasis splash pad, ride the carousel, or even take a two-hour private safari tour to learn even more about the zoo’s many creatures.

At this accredited zoo and botanical garden, guests adventure through immersive landscapes spanning 2,800 acres in the ancient Uwharrie Mountains. The world’s largest natural habitat zoo is home to 1,700 animals, including elusive white deer that roam free on zoo property. Bison and elk rove near critically endangered American red wolves, unique species thrive inside the iconic Desert Dome, and guests can explore the 40-acre Watani Grasslands to experience the biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa. Best of all, every visit helps save wildlife and wild places around the globe!

San Antonio Zoo’s legacy of wildlife conservation dates back decades, and in the modern era, it continues to thrive through programs focused on the conservation of species like the Texas horned lizard. Visitors can discover a wide range of fascinating wildlife firsthand, including seven Western lowland gorillas at Congo Falls, the zoo’s newest habitat that marked the return of gorillas after more than 35 years.

Situated within an urban park in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, this zoo is free to the public and features a stunning diversity of around 12,500 animals and 450-plus species. The zoo is divided into six zones; be sure to visit the Lakeside Crossing zone for the award-winning Sea Lion Sound, which features a 35-foot-long underwater viewing tunnel, combining a stellar exhibit experience with educational presentations and shows. 

Home to more than 800 animals, the AZA-accredited Brevard Zoo takes the zoo-going experience to adventurous new levels. Guests can walk through the canopy above South American jungle habitats or kayak through an Africa-like savanna or restored Florida wetland.

See giant anteaters, vampire bats, and a Brazilian rainbow boa at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which spans 117 acres along the Trout River. Blending lush botanical gardens with diverse wildlife habitats, the zoo's African Forest showcases western lowland gorillas and bonobos, while the Range of the Jaguar is a national award-winning South American exhibit. Flora fans should visit the gardens' collection of rare bamboo, and Wild Florida features native species along with alligators, snakes, manatees, and bobcats. Don't miss Stingray Bay's touch pool and behind-the-scenes experiences with exotic animals. 

The Cincinnati Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the nation, brings visitors nose-to-nose with a range of exciting animals. Guests can watch hippos underwater, including the world-famous hippo Fiona, meerkats scurrying around and popping upright, and cheetahs racing at top speeds. The multi-sensory Night Hunters exhibit hosts cats and other nocturnal predators, while Manatee Springs encourages guests to observe Florida manatees and showcases the importance of the long-term conservation of these gentle giants.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs connects visitors with hundreds of animals representing a vast array of species from all corners of the globe. The African Rift Valley exhibit is home to a herd of 16 giraffe, as well as meerkats, African lions, Cape porcupines, vultures, and colobus monkeys. Rocky Mountain Wild hosts regional species, like moose, grizzly bears, mountain lions, river otters, Mexican gray wolves, a bald eagle, and lynx. The chairlift-style SkyRide offers stellar views over Colorado Springs.

Continued investments have allowed Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to continually offer one-of-a-kind exhibits to guests, including the world’s largest indoor desert where arid plants and animals — peccaries, quail, death adders, rattlesnakes, and inland taipans, the world’s most venomous land snake — are visible inside a geodesic dome year-round in the heart of the Midwest. The $73 million Scott African Grasslands exhibit features 28 acres of habitats and exhibit spaces for meerkats, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and sable antelopes.