| For many adults, the idea of going to a zoo is not as | | | | animal exhibits in addition to vast outdoor ones that |
| appealing as it is for children. Many people feel that | | | | recreate the conditions of jungles, swamps, and |
| zoos are too crowded, that the food is bad, and that | | | | Appalachian forests. Visit the Seven Seas Panorama |
| many of the animals seem depressingly unhappy. | | | | to see one of the best collections of walrus, seals, and |
| These concerns were quite legitimate a couple of | | | | dolphins in the country. |
| decades ago, but things have changed for many U.S. | | | | 2. St. Louis Zoo: The St. Louis Zoo is on the cutting |
| zoos, and anyone who hasn't been to a zoo in 10 or | | | | edge of 21st-century animal management practices. |
| 20 years is in for a pleasant surprise. Many of the | | | | The creators of the zoo have gone to great lengths to |
| modern zoos are designed so that both kids and | | | | build wildlife habitats that are as close to the real thing |
| adults get the most out of the experience, with | | | | as possible. This has allowed the zoo to take a strong |
| pleasant design, appealing snacks, and educational | | | | role in the international animal research and |
| opportunities for people of all ages. Perhaps most | | | | preservation movement. The zoo has a number of |
| importantly, many zoos have committed themselves to | | | | endangered and near-extinct species, and it also has |
| principles of the "cageless" movement, enhancing the | | | | great exhibitions with perennial favorites such as |
| health and happiness of their animals. Visit any one of | | | | elephants, giraffes, penguins, and polar bears. Visiting |
| these four zoos, and you'll be treated to a perfect | | | | the St. Louis Zoo is as close to a wildlife safari as you |
| modern zoo experience. | | | | can get without travelling across the world. |
| 4. Bronx Zoo: The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo | | | | 1. San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo is widely |
| in the country, with 265 acres and over 6,000 animals. | | | | regarded, in the animal preservation community and |
| At this size, it's one of the few zoos in the country that | | | | elsewhere, as the top zoo in the world. Technically |
| warrants a multi-day trip. In recent years the zoo has | | | | comprising both a zoo and a park, the San Diego Zoo |
| rebuilt many of its habitats to make them more natural | | | | is immense, and it definitely can't be covered in a single |
| and animal-friendly. In addition to the many mammal, | | | | day. One of the top attractions is the monorail, which |
| fish, and reptile exhibits, one of most popular attractions | | | | travels for five miles through a teeming wilderness full |
| at the Bronx Zoo is the Butterfly Garden, where | | | | of free-roaming animals of all kinds. And for anyone |
| visitors can immerse themselves in a lush wilderness | | | | concerned with animal preservation, the Zoological |
| full of myriad colorful butterflies. | | | | Society of San Diego, which works to preserve |
| 3. Brookfield Zoo: The Brookfield Zoo, located in the | | | | endangered species, is a great organization to support |
| Chicago suburb of Brookfield, 15 miles west of the city, | | | | with your business. |
| has one of the most extensive collections of indoor | | | | |