Which US Zoos Are Considered the Best, and How Do You Choose?

Updated

There is no single official ranking of "best US zoos," so the practical answer is to judge candidates on a few verifiable criteria — animal collection and habitat quality, conservation and research work, botanical or grounds features, accessibility, and family facilities — then confirm current accreditation and awards before you commit to a trip. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, is one example of a zoo that presents itself as "one of America's best zoos," with more than 2,000 animals and a botanical garden on the same site. Use that kind of self-description as a starting point, not as proof.

Criteria that separate top-tier US zoos

When you compare zoos, the same handful of dimensions do most of the work:

  • Animal collection and habitats — How many species, and are the enclosures designed around the animals' natural behavior rather than just visibility?
  • Conservation and research — Does the zoo run or fund breeding, reintroduction, or field conservation programs? This is often what separates a serious institution from an entertainment park.
  • Botanical and grounds quality — Some zoos are also gardens, which changes the experience and the seasonal appeal.
  • Accessibility and layout — Terrain, walking distance, shuttle or ride options, and how easy it is to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs.
  • Family facilities — Restrooms, food, shaded rest areas, demonstrations, and rides or attractions aimed at children.

A zoo can be strong on one dimension and weak on another. Decide which of these matter most for your trip before you rank anything.

How to compare zoos by region, size, and signature experience

Rather than chasing a national list, narrow by what you actually want:

If you want… Look for… Example of what to check
A large, multi-day destination Major metropolitan zoos with broad collections Total species count, number of major habitat zones
A combined zoo + garden visit Institutions with an attached botanical garden Whether the garden is included in the same ticket
A conservation-focused visit Zoos with documented field programs Published conservation partnerships or research
An easy family half-day Compact layouts with rides and demonstrations Rides and attractions, animal demonstration schedule

Riverbanks fits the "zoo plus garden" pattern: its own materials describe it as home to more than 2,000 animals and "one of the nation's most inspiring botanical gardens," which makes it a reasonable candidate if a combined animal-and-plant visit is what you're after.

Examples of highly regarded US zoos and what each is known for

Because rankings shift and no single authority certifies "the best," treat any list as a set of candidates to verify. A few commonly cited types:

  • Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (Columbia, SC) — Positions itself among America's best zoos; known for combining a large animal collection with a botanical garden. Its site groups visitor planning under Plan Your Visit, with separate pages for Visitor Information, Rides and Attractions, Animal Demonstrations, and Field Trips and Group Visits.
  • Large metropolitan zoos (for example, in major cities) — Typically known for scale, species diversity, and major conservation programs.
  • Zoo-and-garden or zoo-and-park institutions — Known for the grounds as much as the animals.

For any specific zoo, the useful move is to read its own "Plan Your Visit" and "Visitor Information" pages, which is where hours, tickets, and logistics actually live.

How to verify rankings, awards, and accreditation before you rely on a list

"Best zoo" claims are marketing as often as they are fact. Before you trust a list:

  1. Check accreditation — Look for current accreditation from a recognized zoo and aquarium association. Accreditation signals that the institution meets defined standards for animal care.
  2. Check awards and rankings at the source — If a zoo claims a ranking, see whether the awarding body is named and current.
  3. Check the date — A "best zoos" article from several years ago may no longer reflect the zoo.
  4. Cross-check the zoo's own site — Confirm the claim appears in the zoo's own materials, as Riverbanks does with its "one of America's best zoos" description.

Practical next steps before you visit

Once you've picked a candidate, confirm the details that change trip to trip:

  • Hours and tickets — Check the zoo's Visitor Information and Plan Your Visit pages. Riverbanks lists these under its Plan Your Visit section.
  • Seasonal events and demonstrations — Animal demonstration times and seasonal programming vary; check the Animal Demonstrations page if the zoo has one.
  • Rides and attractions — Confirm what's operating, since these are often seasonal or separately ticketed. Riverbanks has a dedicated Rides and Attractions page.
  • Group or field trips — If you're visiting with a school or large group, look for a Field Trips and Group Visits page.
  • A map before you go — A park map helps you plan a route, especially at combined zoo-and-garden sites where the grounds are large.

The short version: there's no universal "best US zoo" list to trust blindly. Pick your criteria, shortlist by region and experience type, verify accreditation and current details on the zoo's own site, and then check hours, tickets, and seasonal offerings before you go.