Zoo

Today, it’s estimated that there are more than 2,800 zoos and aquariums around the world, including more than 355 in the United States. Even though the concept of keeping animals in captivity for human entertainment has been getting more and more controversial, many zoos in the country are accredited by independent organizations and have adopted policies to benefit animals and preserve their natural way of life as much as possible. To identify the 20 best zoos in the United States, 24/7 looked at a total of 272 zoos, all of which were within the zoo category on Yelp in or near the top 1,000 U.S. cities by population. Only zoos with at least 50 Yelp reviews were considered. The ranking is based on the average rating and number of reviews. Establishments that were only petting zoos, public parks, or were being investigated for animal abuse were excluded. Scroll through the gallery to check out the best zoos in America.

 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo • Location: Cleveland, Ohio • Known for one of the largest collections of primates in the United States, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is part of 23,000 acres of parkland that also has 300 miles of trails, eight golf courses, and eight lakefront parks. Another zoo attraction is its two-story rainforest exhibit, which visitors can enjoy even in the cooler weather, along with a convenient heated tram to transport them. There are seven main exhibits, with more than 3,000 animals representing over 600 different species. These exhibits include a five-acre elephant crossing, an eight-acre Australian habitat, an African savannah, and more.

CuriOdyssey • Location: San Mateo, California • More than just a zoo, this science playground, located just south of San Francisco, allows kids to get up close to wild animals and experiment with science through exhibits. Visitors can experience live, non-releasable animals native to California at CuriOdyssey's home in the Coyote Point Recreation Area. There are nearly 100 of these animals, most of them from rehabilitation facilities because they could not survive in the wild. The museum also features interactive exhibits and hands-on science and art programs.

Denver Zoo • Location: Denver, Colorado • The idea of a zoo in Denver began more than a century ago when the city's mayor received a black bear cub as a gift and it went to live at City Park. Today the zoo is home to more than 4,300 animals representing over 600 species. Still located in the 80-acre City Park, the zoo is one of the greenest in America thanks to its sustainability efforts. Attractions include a Conservation Carousel that features hand-carved wooden replicas of some of its animals, including giraffes, okapi, and a baby gorilla; a Zoo Railroad and a 4D Theater.

Zoo Miami • Location: Miami, Florida • Also known as the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, Zoo Miami is both the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida. The only sub-tropical zoo in the continental United States, the climate of South Florida allows the zoo to house a large variety of animals from Asia, Australia, and Africa, making it unique in America. There are more than 3,000 animals representing over 500 different species on 750 acres. It also has over 1,000 species of trees, palms, and other plants.

 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • Location: Powell, Ohio • Even if you've never visited the Columbus Zoo, you may be familiar with its animals, thanks to director emeritus Jack Hanna and his media appearances, and more recently the Nat Geo WILD reality show "Secrets of the Zoo," which gives an all-access look at the zoo's animals and staff. Home to more than 9,000 animals representing 650 species, the zoo is one of the tops in the country because of its conservation efforts which include more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. The facility also is notable for its 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park, 18-hole Safari Golf Club, and Jungle Jack's Landing amusement park.

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