Help us crown North America’s best zoos, aquariums, safari parks, gardens and aerial adventures
Spring has sprung, summer is on the way and families across the country are looking forward to summer vacation. To help plan that next kid-approved trip, we’re looking for the best zoos, zoo exhibits, aquariums, safari parks, botanical gardens and aerial adventure parks in North America, and we need you. Vote for your favorite in each category once per day until voting ends on Monday, April 22 at noon ET.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Aerial Adventure Park
These parks offer thrills for all ages and ability levels — Photo courtesy of iStock / Imgorthand
While zip lines and canopy tours began as a tool for scientific field research, they’ve exploded in popularity as an attraction in their own right – a way to experience the forest canopy in a safe and thrilling environment. We asked a panel of family travel experts to nominate their favorite aerial adventure parks in North America, and now it’s your turn to choose a winner.
Vote: Best Aerial Adventure Park »
Best Aquarium
Go under the sea at these top facilities — Photo courtesy of iStock / Nadezhda1906
Aquariums put us face to fin with aquatic life from the world’s oceans, lakes and waterways in a fun and educational setting. The best aquariums also play a vital role in animal conservation by taking part in rescue efforts and advocating for the environmental health of our oceans.
Best Botanical Garden
Spring is on display in these top gardens — Photo courtesy of iStock / Lya_Cattel
April showers might very well bring May flowers, but at the public and botanical gardens dotting North America, there’s always something in bloom. The best gardens and arboretums on the continent help to promote and conserve the plant diversity of our planet, all while showcasing their vast collections in stunning, visitor-friendly ways.
Best Safari Park
Where’s your favorite place to go wild? — Photo courtesy of iStock / yongkiet
You don’t have to fly to Africa to go on safari! At these 20 safari and wildlife parks, visitors get up close and personal with exotic and endangered animals from around the country and the world. Many of the facilities are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and have a focus on conservation as well as education.
Best Zoo
Head to one of these nominees for a better appreciation of the world’s animal diversity — Photo courtesy of iStock / Maks Power
North America is home to hundreds of zoological parks, including more than 200 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Short of heading out into the world’s wild places, nothing beats a visit to the zoo to foster an appreciation for the striking animal diversity of our planet.
We asked a panel of travel experts to nominate their favorite North American AZA-accredited zoos – facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment, while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors.
Best Zoo Exhibit
These animal exhibits are well worth a trip to the zoo — Photo courtesy of iStock / kali9
A great zoo exhibit engages visitors with the animals they’re observing while keeping the welfare and enrichment of its animal residents front and center. Which gets your vote?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, May 3.
