Zoos worth visiting in each state

I have been to a relatively small number of zoos . I have enjoyed them though .
My goal is to eventually visit at least one (more than one if possible ) zoo in each state .which ones should I try to visit? I not necessarily trying to decide the best ones . Just ones that would be worth the time and money to go visit. I currently live near Nashville TN
Here are the ones I have visited already
Florida: Disney Animal Kingdom (not sure this really counts as a zoo but I thought I would add it )
Illinois : Brookfield zoo
Indiana: Indianapolis zoo
Kentucky: Louisville Zoo
Michigan : Detroit Zoo
Missouri : St. Louis zoo and Kansas City zoo
Nebraska: Henry Doorly zoo
Ohio : Cincinnati, Columbus Zoo,Toledo Zoo
Tennessee: Memphis Zoo and Nashville Zoo
South Dakota: Great Plains zoo

So you can see there are a lot of states I haven’t been to ( well haven’t been to the zoos anyhow )

It will take time and planning so any help would be appreciated

 

Illinois: I would add Lincoln Park Zoo and Shedd Aquarium.
Wisconsin: Milwaukee County Zoo (and if you like smaller zoos, the NEW Zoo as well).
Minnesota: Minnesota Zoo

 

Thanks for your suggestions. I have been thinking about going back to Chicago for the Lincoln Park Zoo . Milwaukee isn’t that far from Chicago so I could probably do that in one trip .
I have never even been to the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota zoo soubds like a good idea .

 

If you are trying for every state here is my ideas for what to go to in New england-
Roger Williams Park Zoo (only one for RI)
Squam Lakes(only one for NH)
Massachusetts has a few fine smaller zoos but I would suggest either Capron or Buttonwood.
Vermont and Maine both lack zoos although the Maine Wildlife Park is somewhat nice .

 

Thanks. I have seen franklin park zoo mentioned In other threads . Is that one worth going to in Massachusetts? Also I know it’s not really a NE state but anything other than the Bronx zoo for NY ?

 

Try Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio. Spring and Fall are the best times to visit, because the animals are still active and outside, but not in their indoor exhibits due to colder weather. And since your in Cleveland, the Akron Zoo is close by. It is a small zoo but worth the visit.

 

Anything AZA approved, really.

 

I didn’t even know there was a zoo in Akron thanks . I will have to plan something in Cleveland. Maybe in the spring.

 

That's a bit of a naïve thing to say...

~Thylo

 

Connecticut: Beardsley Zoo and Mystic Aquarium
New York: Bronx Zoo (obviously), the rest of the WCS collections, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Staten Island Zoo
Massachusetts: Stone Zoo
Pennsylvania: ZooAmerica
Kentucky: Newport Aquarium
California: San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Living Desert Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific
Texas: Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Houston Zoo

~Thylo

 

How is it naive?

 

Thanks for your input. I noticed you didn’t mention either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia zoos . In Pennsylvania. Any particular reason ? I have never been to any zoos in Pennsylvania so just curious

 

I've never been to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is a good zoo but it seems to be declining imo. Worth a visit still, though.

~Thylo

 

I completely disagree, Philadelphia is fantastic.

 

As a regular of Philly the last few years, I agree it’s been declining, especially in terms of collection (Small Mammal House with one side all boarded up, the douc dying, 3/4 bear species dying, Bird Alley being practically empty). There are nice adaptations of old exhibits (like Wings of Asia) but the loss of okapi to make room for kangaroos, as well as the mixed bag that is Water is Life has me questioning the zoo’s future. That said, it is certainly still worth a visit.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand... nothing about it appeals to me. They have a few species highlights but a lot of the species housing is less than fantastic. The National Aviary is a much more enjoyable visit if you’re in the area.

 

They can't fix everything at once, and it's not their fault old animals have passed away. Every upgrade they've made, bar the kangaroos (it's nice, but I would have preferred giving the okapi a nicer area), has been amazing. It takes time, and money, to make things better, and they would loose a lot of visitors if multiple areas were under construction at the same time.

 

Teton Raptor Center is the only zoo in Wyoming.

 

Of course they can't fix everything at once but when they choose to let certain areas of the zoo decline because they don't find them worth fixing up or choose not to replace species when they die/leave it is the zoo's fault.

~Thylo

 

Ok . That makes sense. I hope to get out to Pennsylvania before long . Pittsburgh is only an 8 hour drive from here so not terribly bad

 

I am not sure you would count it as a zoo. I recently found out there was kindness animal sanctuary in Wyoming. I have never been to that state though .