25 Best Zoos in the US

Ali Ahmed

Thu, Feb 22, 2024, 1:05 PM12 min read

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In this article, we will take a look at the 25 best zoos in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the zoos and parks sector in America, you can go directly to 5 Best Zoos in the US.

Zoos, Parks, and Wildlife in America

Visiting zoos has become a cherished pastime for millions around the globe as they seek to observe diverse species from all around the world in their natural habitats. The United States is home to some of the most impressive and reputable zoos in the world. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the total number of annual visitors to zoos and aquariums in the US exceeds 183 million people.

Previously, the COVID-19 crisis had a devastating impact on the amusement parks and animal theme parks industry as a result of lockdowns and other emergency measures. However, the parks and recreational places are now open and the markets are expected to recover and grow in the coming years. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the North American museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks market was estimated to reach a value of $25.05 billion in 2024. The market is expected to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.08% during 2024-2029, pushing the market to reach $52.79 billion by the end of the forecasted period.

Rising disposable incomes in the North American region translate to more people having the resources to spend on leisure activities such as visiting zoos, parks, and museums. There is a growing focus on conservation and environmental awareness within the zoos and parks industry, and this has led to a greater interest in visiting zoos and parks to learn about and support wildlife preservation. Moreover, advancements in technology and visitor experiences are further augmenting market growth as they make these attractions more appealing and interactive.

Major Players in America’s Amusement Parks and Animal Theme Parks Sector

With the advancements in technology combined with consumers’ desire for a more personalized and fun experience, the competition within the amusement parks and animal theme parks sector in the US is tougher than ever. Some of the biggest companies operating in this space are Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX), The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), and United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS).

United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS), previously SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., is an American theme park and entertainment company. The company’s brand portfolio includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Sesame Place, and Sea Rescue. United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) has 12 park locations across the United States, which feature marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is an American multinational entertainment conglomerate. Through its Disney Experiences division, the company owns and operates Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, which is a zoological theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. On February 15, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) reported that the 2-month-old African elephant Corra made her much-anticipated debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The introduction of this wide-eyed baby elephant is a significant event in the park's ongoing efforts to contribute to the conservation of this majestic and endangered species. Accompanied by her mother Nadirah, Corra is taking her first steps and exploring the Kilimanjaro Safaris, staying close to her family while getting accustomed to her new surroundings. Born in December at Animal Kingdom, Corra stands a little over 3 feet tall and she is now part of a unique herd that includes three generations of female elephants.

As the competition now continues to grow in America’s amusement parks and animal theme parks sector, theme park companies are updating their services in order to keep up with the ever-evolving expectations of consumers. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX) is a theme park company with 27 parks across the US, Mexico, and Canada. On February 20, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX) announced the launch of Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa, set to commence operations from June 14th at Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. Located amidst the expansive 350-acre wilderness of Six Flags Wild Safari, which is home to more than 1,200 animals, this luxurious glamping experience will provide guests with an exceptional escape into nature.

Now that we have discussed what’s going on in America’s amusement parks and animal theme parks sector, let’s take a look at the 25 best zoos in the US.

Photo by topcools tee on Unsplash

Methodology

In this article, we have ranked the 25 best zoos in the US. To compile a list of the top zoos in America, we consulted various sources including U.S. News Travel, Always Pets, and Travel + Leisure. We compiled a list of more than 50 best zoos in the US ranked by various websites and travel blogs.

We then looked at each zoo separately and ranked the 25 best zoos in the US based on their average Google ratings. For our list of the top zoos in the US, we only considered zoos that had at least 10,000 reviews on Google. The average Google rating is our primary metric and the number of reviews is our secondary metric. In the case where multiple zoos had the same average rating, tie-breaking was done based on the number of reviews. The 25 best zoos in the US are ranked below in ascending order of their average Google ratings and number of reviews.

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