America's best zoos
June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month, and in celebration we are taking a look at some of the best zoos in the United States.
Where: Washington, D.C.
What's there: The National Zoo is a part of the Smithsonian and is rated one of the best zoos in the world
The zoo is famous for its giant pandas.
Where: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
What's there: Well known for their animal animation, Disney has bridged a gap between fiction and reality, throwing their monetary muscle behind this internationally recognized animal theme park
You'll see a section of prehistoric plants and animals that survived the cretaceous period.
The zoo is home to a jungle inhabited by okapi , tigers and more.
Where: Chicago, Ill.
What's there: Brookfield Zoo pioneered the display of animals without bars by using moats and built America's first inland dolphinarium.
Watch a dolphin show.
Experience an interactive exhibit for families.
Kangaroos, wombats and emus are all a part of Australia House.
Where: San Diego, Calif.
What's there: The Zoological Society of San Diego has developed and maintained its famous zoo and Safari Park as world-class facilities for education and conservation.
Where: New Orleans, La.
What's there: The Audubon Zoo survived Hurricane Katrina to remain one of the top zoos in the nation.
Where: Bronx, New York
What's there: The Bronx Zoo (see photos and take a virtual tour) is the largest city zoo in the nation and is known for its conservation efforts, particularly its partnership with a former president to save the American bison from extinction.
There you'll find:
Several NYC architectural landmarks (see photos).
A New York legend named Pattycake (watch video).
Become a part of the display at "Butterfly Zone. "
Where: Tampa
What's there: Lowry Park Zoo (see photos and take a virtual tour) moved from one of the worst zoos in America to be rated Parents magazine's No. 1 zoo for kids.
Kids can play in the billabong fountains of Wallaroo Station.
Admire the manatees.
Where: Denver, Colo.
What's there: It started with the gift of a black bear named Billy Bryan, and grew into a top institution, preserving and exhibiting the world's animals.
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio.
What's there: The zoo is the second oldest in the country and a National Historic Landmark. It is a leader in the captive breeding of endangered species.
Where: Phoenix
What's there: The Phoenix Zoo , which is considered one of the nation's top zoos for kids, played a large part in saving the Arabian oryx from extinction.
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