MORE ZOO RATINGS (from other people who love zoos, too!)
Nancy (a true zoo lover, like me, who visits many zoos often) sent these comments about the Baltimore Zoo:
I guess a lot of zoos are specializing now. Nothing there from South America or Asia -- all African or Maryland.
There are leopards, some kind of antelopes, cheetah, (rhinos, zebra and ostrich together), 5 giraffes, 2 elephants, 2 sleepy lions, lots of black footed penguins
I've never seen so many different owls in one place!
All the animals looked really good and most were in open areas with plenty of space to move around.
Lots of shaded paths for the comfort of the visitors
Parking is free, food prices similar to Philadelphia Zoo.
Shelly from Houston, TX, writes:
Just wanted to submit info on our local zoo. Houston has a really nice zoo, in fact they have raised the price a little but have done so many new improvements on the zoo. We have a whole childrens zoo area now, where children can see and touch many things. Before we just had a petting zoo, but now it is much better. The animals are not active because of the heat here but theya re well taken care, and fun to see none the less. We were so impressed with the zoo a few weeks a ago that we became a family of zoo members.
A visitor to the Denver Zoo sent these ratings:
Zoo size: excellent
Variety of animals: excellent
Animals easy to see: excellent
After visiting the Albuquerque Bio Park-Rio Grande Zoo, one visitor rated it as follows:
And Chuck sent these ratings for the Louisville Zoo:
Size:good
Variety:good
Animals easy to see: fair
Natural habitats: good
Informative signs: good
Friendly keepers: fair
Signpost guides: good
Animal care: good
Easy walking: good
Rest areas: good
Refreshments: good
Admission/Membership: excellent
Added costs: fair
Zoo location: good
More from Nancy, about her trip to the Bronx Zoo
I knew it was big, but had no idea how big!
I got to ride the monorail -- many of the animals were right by the rail! Including the red pandas, who were in a tree about 10 feet away, and eye level for us. Missed the monkey house and birds and who knows what else. There was so much to see that I am sure I don't remember half of it.
I hope to go back, maybe on my own, so that I don't have a time schedule to follow.
And more from Nancy (definitely my type of person ...), about her trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo
I finally got to Elmwood Park Zoo with my granddaughter (who is 4). The eagle exhibit is spectacular!!!
Every exhibit has a nice sign with information -- and a picture -- of the animal. I have never seen it done quite this way and was very impressed.
My granddaughter was fascinated by everything--benches to sit on, tents, ducks, turtles, but missed elephants and giraffes!!
Joe Nappi sent these ratings for Zoo America North American Wildlife Park - Hershey, PA:
Joe also added:
ZOOAMERICA is located in scenic Chocolate Town U.S.A., otherwise known as Hershey, Pennsylvania. The zoo is small (11 acres) and can be seen in about an hour. Hershey offers a great deal for entering the zoo, ZooAmerica is free with Hersheypark admission. (Hersheypark is Pennsylvania's largest amusment park) The zoo can be seen in about an hour. It is located right next to Hersheypark in a nice woody area with plenty of shade during the hot summers. The zoo focuses on animals from the North American continent and is split into five regions: Grassy Waters (Florida Everglades) Cactus Community (Arizona Sonora Desert) Gentle Woodlands (Pennsylvania forests) Big Sky Country (Great Plains) and the North American Woods (Canada's Evergreen Forests). Some of the major animal residents include black bears, wolves, alligators, otters, and bison. Visiting the zoo is a great way to get away from the crowds in the park. ZooAmerica is a must see for anyone visiting Hershey.
Sean sent the following ratings for the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee:
Size:good
Variety:fair
Animals easy to see: excellent
Natural habitats: excellent
Informative signs: excellent
Friendly keepers: good
Signpost guides: excellent
Animal care: excellent
Easy walking: excellent
Rest areas: fair
Refreshments: good
Admission/Membership: excellent
Added costs: good
Zoo location: good
Additional comments Sean included:
Variety of animals: fair, but unique (white rhinos, kurus, white tigers). Animals easy to see: best viewing areas of all ten zoos we visited. Multiple viewing areas for each fantastic habitat. Natural habitats: absolutely amazing, best we've seen. Informative signs: wonderful information. Easy walking: visitors so preoccupied with wonderful exhibits and beautiful scenery that you don't even notice the short walks. Rest areas: fair, but no need to have rest areas in this great zoo. It's smaller than most, but has a whole section devoted to kids. Zoo location: good, right off Hwy 40.
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If you have any comments or questions, please contact me!
