I was inspired to start a new thread based on a discussion that spun off of this photo: http://www.zoochat.com/216/american-bison-whipsnade-02-aug-2015-a-423288/ Let us list the zoos and wildlife parks with pleasing, sweeping vistas of a surrounding landscape. (I am going to blatantly steal some of the ideas already listed on the thread referenced above).
Here are some enjoyable views that I have personally had the pleasure of enjoying. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, USA (overview of the city of Colorado Springs). Highlands Wildlife Park, UK (views of snow capped peaks across a river valley). Edinburgh Zoo, UK (views of city and countryside beyond). Port Lympne, UK (views of English Channel). San Diego Safari Park, USA (views of agricultural valley and chaparral hills). Living Desert State Park, USA (views of the city of Carlsbad and Pecos River). Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, USA (views of saguaro studded hills and valley, with tall mountains and Kitt Peak Observatory in distance). Langenberg Wildlife Park, SWITZERLAND (views of river valley and snow covered mountains).
I have two suggestions for zoos that I have visited this year: Prague Zoo - View from the top part of the zoo, looking over the bottom part of the zoo, the river, and then the city of Prague beyond: Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna) - Views of part of the zoo and the city of Vienna beyond:
Alpenzoo Innsbruck, which I had the immense pleasure of visiting in April, certainly qualifies in my opinion. Sited on a mountainside overlooking the city of Innsbruck, it provides excellent all-round views of the Alps. Unfortunately I am yet to upload photographs from my trip, but here are a few found scattered online:
Nice views at Innsbruk, but the first photo appears to have a rhino paddock that is unacceptably small.
1) Only a small portion of that paddock, and the one to the left of, is visible as the grass-covered roof of the indoor house is hiding most of the two paddocks from view. 2) Those are domestic pigs you're looking at Alpenzoo Innsbruck only displays the native species - as well as breeds of domestic animals - which are found within the Alps; as such I'd have probably died of shock had I turned a corner and come across a rhinoceros!
Tacoma's Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, overlooking Puget Sound. Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Bay. Full stop. In a few years, the California exhibit now under construction at Oakland Zoo will offer a stunning panorama of the entire San Francisco Bay and environs (a "five-bridge" view).
Parc animalier des Pyrénées has views of the Pyrénées, Salzburg Zoo has views of the Alps, Palmitos parc has great views down a canyon.
Oh, man, I've seen photos of the bay at MBA. So cool, you can even see different marine mammals from it sometimes.
I remember years ago enjoying the view over Dunstable Downs from Whipsnade. If I recall correctly, there are parts of Zurich Zoo that overlook the city. Wellington Zoo also has views over the city. Taronga Zoo has not just views of the harbour but also the Sydney city skyline including the Opera House and the Coathanger. Ugandan Wildllife Education Centre (formerly known as the Entebbe Zoo) is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria and has expansive views of the lake. Hix
Mundomar outside Benidorm enjoys a vista overlooking the whole of the town. The former Argyll wildlife park had great views over Loch Fyne. But for me one of the finest is the view over Loch creran from the cafe at the Scottish sea life centre.
photo over the chimp enclosure (although I'm not sure I'd exactly call it "great vista": I like these photos, from the Frankton Zoo by Queenstown (albeit less a "zoo" than a backyard bird collection):
The Alaska Wildife Conservation Center. At the head of the Turnagain Arm and the base of Portage Valley. The Chugach Mountains on one side and the Kenai Mountains on the other. Several glaciers in view. The credit card commercial currently airing in the USA where the photographer is traversing Alaska looking for a brown bear? He gets it at last at the incredibly scenic brown bear exhibit at the AWCC! Also The Central Park Zoo.
Not sure if this would count or not but on the Bronx zoo monorail over the Bronx river(Especially in Fall) Another plus is how if you search, you may find some native wildlife just hanging out there: http://wvs6l1kg5223qd86t1nawwr1.wpe...es/2015/02/1280px-The_Bronx_River-771x516.jpg
Zoo am Meer in Bremerhaven, Germany. The sea as a nice backdrop to the views of seals, polar bears etc.
Other than the UK zoos already suggested, how about the views from Welsh Mountain zoo or perhaps a bit less attractive to some; from the top of the castle at Dudley.
Alice Springs Desert Park, Australia (MacDonnell Ranges backdrop) and Singapore Zoo (on banks of Upper Seletar Reservoir) are pretty good too!