One traveler said, "One of the best zoos I have been to: great displays, beautifully maintained ... simply a delight!"
TripAdvisor, which bills itself as the world's largest travel site, has ranked New Orleans' Audubon Zoo as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, according to the TripAdvisor Popularity Index. Audubon came in at No. 10 on the list announced this week.
JENNIFER ZDON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE A small boy carefully touches the tooth of a dinosaur as he and his family walk by the many model dinosaurs being placed in a temporary Audubon Zoo exhibit in 2009. "At this zoo in the Big Easy, travelers can enjoy a parade of spots, stripes and scales," TripAdvisor said. "Activities include bug tosses and 'Creature Features,' during which patrons can pose for a picture with a critter and learn fascinating facts. Warm-blooded travelers can chill out at the Cool Zoo, a water park that boasts an alligator water slide and water-spitting snakes."
One TripAdvisor traveler said, "One of the best zoos I have been to: great displays, beautifully maintained ... simply a delight!"
The complete list of top zoos, as ranked by the TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
1. Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb.
2. St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis.
3. Cape May County Park & Zoo in Cape May Court House, N.J.
4. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden in Columbia, S.C.
5. Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tenn.
6. San Diego Zoo in San Diego.
7. Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan.
8. Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Fla.
9. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.
"The exotic sights and sounds at these zoos offer travelers a virtual round-the-world trip, without the price tag," said Karen Drake, senior director of communications at TripAdvisor. "Whether it's gazing at gorillas or peeping at penguins, these wildlife sanctuaries offer herds of fun for adults and children alike."