Bonnie and I are trying to put together a 2-3 day winter zoo getaway and are having a bit of a hard time coming up with a spot.We always like to consider which Zoos we can get alot out of as far as overall experience vs visiting in ideal conditions during the summer months.Here are some zoos on the radar and we would love to know what some you all think as far as a winter visit goes! National Aquarium, Maryland Zoo and National Zoo Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium Minnesota Zoo,Como Zoo Philadelphia Zoo Indy Zoo Team Tapir
Indianapolis is the only one of these that I didn't see last autumn but I did see it briefly (sadly only had two hours or so) back in 2003; however, as I don't know its present status, I think I should say less rather than more. All others, apart from possibly Como, I would recommend. Como is small and totally devoted to mammals (I hardly recall a single bird, amphibian or reptile) but I didn't mind as I'm a mammal person. Go there if you're in the area but Minnesota Zoo should make absolute priority; I had almost two days there and could easily have spent the third day as well. I don't have enough words to describe how much I love that place! Philadelphia is a wonderful zoo in many ways, especially for a zoo historian like me; great facilities for big cats and very nice ones for ungulates and bears. Wonderful renovation work has been done on the old bird house and the Rare Animal Conservation Center has some interesting species even if the house itself is a bit aged. I could go on and on about Philly but there are several recent reviews so I think I'll leave it here. The Bronx is one of my favourites but I won't say another word about it as, along with San Diego (which I saw back in 2003) it seems to be the only zoo that many people here on Zoochat see; there must be countless threads here entitled something like 'Bronx vs San Diego'. The NYA is small but very pleasant, especially if you're there on a quiet and nice autumn day like me. Several interesting pinniped species, a large Jackass penguin exhibit and many other things. You might even be able to fit in one of the other small NYC zoos into the day if you start early, as I did. If you go to Baltimore, you can do the Zoo and Aquarium in one day, as I managed to do even if I didn't have a car (meant a taxi to the zoo and a long bus trip through one of the worst slums I have seen in my life on the way back to downtown; the surrounding area is rather questionable so be careful). The Zoo is not large but has been rebuilt nicely; excellent Polar Bear facilities, very impressive Africa exhibits, etc. I'm glad that I did the Baltimore places, even if it meant that I had to sacrifice the free day I was going to spend in DC in turn. Finally, National, much better than I expected; Asia Trail is incredible and the Fujifilm Giant Panda habitat is simply astonishing. I did get a heat stroke on that day so I didn't enjoy my time there as much as I otherwise would have though.
For a winter trip, I would say Minnesota. They have a huge trail devoted to cold climate animals and are great in winter/snow. Some of the others, like Bronx, would be much better in spring/summer.
Is this a road trip?... because otherwise I'd say ZooMiami or someplace where everything is open at that time. Dallas, Audubon, San Diego Minnesota, Bronx and Indy... depending on when you go (because late Feb. and March can have nice days)... will only give you a relatively small amount of the zoo to see. Your Baltimore/D.C. trip will offer more simply because Spring arrives earlier there.
If you go to the Philadelphia Zoo on March 15th, then you could bump into me! But I would suggest Philadelphia Zoo one day and maybe Maryland Aquarium and their Zoo another day. I'm hoping by mid March the weather's going to be warmer and I'll be see some animals in their outdoor exhibits. Keep us posted where you decide to go!
Just got back from DC after deciding to go to the Smithsonian National Zoo and the National Aquarium in Baltimore on our winter zoo trip.Thank you to all of you who offered your advice on where to go its always appreciated.The new lion cubs at DC were the deciding factor for us and they did not disappoint as they had the adult male two adult females and 5 of the cubs on display.We had a blast watching them.Elephant trail is amazing, as is the entire asian section.Overall we really enjoyed this zoo and NAIB was great too! Team Tapir
I'm glad you both had a good time. I'm thinking about visiting the National Zoo when it gets nicer out and a little before summer hits and it's incredibly crowded. I was watching a documentary about the zoo the other day and I'm excited to visit it as it's been over a decade and all I can remember is seeing the hippos in their small indoor enclosures. I head for Philadelphia next week and I'm hoping for decent weather!
