2026 USA Travel & Family Guide
Best Zoos & Aquariums in the USA by State (2026)
Looking for the best zoos and aquariums in the USA (2026)—organized by state? This guide is built for families (including first-timers), with official links so you can plan fast.
How to use this page: jump to your state, open the official site, and bookmark your favorites for a weekend trip.
Family-friendly picks
Official links
All 50 states
Updated for 2026
Quick planning tip: If you're traveling with kids, prioritize venues with indoor exhibits (great for weather),
timed-entry tickets (smoother lines), and touch pools / interactive areas.
If you love live cams, check our live streams.
State index
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Want a global version? Read: Top Aquariums in the World (2026) and Top Zoos in the World (2026).
(If those posts aren’t live yet, publish this one first as the main “USA directory” and add the global lists next.)
Alabama
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Alabama Aquarium (Dauphin Island Sea Lab)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Alabama for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Alaska
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Alaska for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Arizona
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Arizona for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Arkansas
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (nearby in Springfield, MO)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Arkansas for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
California
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) California for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Colorado
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Colorado for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Connecticut
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Connecticut for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Delaware
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Adventure Aquarium (nearby in Camden, NJ)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Delaware for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Florida
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Florida for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Georgia
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Georgia for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Hawaii
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Hawaii for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Idaho
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Idaho for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Illinois
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Illinois for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Indiana
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Indiana: Oceans at Indianapolis Zoo
- Best choice in (or closest to) Indiana for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Iowa
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) Iowa for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Kansas
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Kansas for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Kentucky
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Kentucky for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Louisiana
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Louisiana for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Maine
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Maine for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Maryland
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Maryland for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Massachusetts
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Massachusetts for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Michigan
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Michigan for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Minnesota
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Minnesota for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Mississippi
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Mississippi for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Missouri
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) Missouri for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Montana
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Montana: Great Falls Fish Hatchery & Visitor Center (aquarium exhibits)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Montana for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Nebraska
Top Zoo
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) Nebraska for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Nevada
Top Zoo
Las Vegas Zoo (Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park)
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
- Best choice in (or closest to) Nevada for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
New Hampshire
Top Zoo
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
New Hampshire: Seacoast Science Center (marine exhibits)
- Best choice in (or closest to) New Hampshire for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
New Jersey
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) New Jersey for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
New Mexico
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) New Mexico for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
New York
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) New York for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
North Carolina
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
North Carolina Aquariums (Fort Fisher / Roanoke Island / Pine Knoll Shores)
- Best choice in (or closest to) North Carolina for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
North Dakota
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) North Dakota for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Ohio
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium (aquarium building)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Ohio for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Oklahoma
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Oklahoma for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Oregon
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Oregon for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Pennsylvania
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium (PPG Aquarium)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Pennsylvania for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Rhode Island
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Rhode Island: Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium (Providence)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Rhode Island for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
South Carolina
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) South Carolina for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
South Dakota
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
South Dakota: Butterfly House & Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) South Dakota for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Tennessee
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Tennessee for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Texas
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Texas for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Utah
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
- Best choice in (or closest to) Utah for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Vermont
Top Zoo
Vermont: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (science + aquatic exhibits)
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Vermont: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
- Best choice in (or closest to) Vermont for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Virginia
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Best choice in (or closest to) Virginia for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Washington
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
- Best choice in (or closest to) Washington for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
West Virginia
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
National Aquarium (nearby in Baltimore, MD)
- Best choice in (or closest to) West Virginia for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Wisconsin
Top Zoo
- Great for families: easy pathways, kid-friendly exhibits, and seasonal events.
- Tip: arrive at opening time for cooler temps and more active animals.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Wisconsin: Discovery World Aquarium (Milwaukee)
- Best choice in (or closest to) Wisconsin for sharks, rays, reefs, or freshwater exhibits.
- Tip: look for timed-entry tickets and weekday afternoons to avoid peak crowds.
Wyoming
Top Zoo
Terry Bison Ranch (wildlife park)
- Wyoming doesn’t have a large “classic” zoo—this is a fun family wildlife option near Cheyenne.
- Tip: go early, and check seasonal hours before you drive.
Top Aquarium / Marine Experience
Downtown Aquarium Denver (nearby in CO)
- Closest big aquarium-style experience for many Wyoming families (especially from the southeast of the state).
- Tip: plan a half-day visit + one more Denver activity to make the drive worth it.