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How To Use Travelzoo To Find Great Deals on Vacation Packages [2023]

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

245 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 51 U.S. States Visited: 36

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3054 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

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Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

What Is Travelzoo?

What types of packages can you book with travelzoo, travelzoo’s package, booking directly with the hotel, using points, how to buy travelzoo packages, how to redeem travelzoo packages, best credit cards for buying travelzoo packages, using points on travelzoo purchases, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Who here uses Travelzoo? This is a points and miles website, so odds are that not many of you have raised your hand. For the unaware, Travelzoo is an online travel agency (OTA) that offers discounted travel packages. These packages run the gamut from trips to Tanzania to resorts in Fiji. While it’s not always a great idea to pay cash for travel, there can be instances when it makes sense — especially if you’re booking through Travelzoo. Let’s take a look.

Travelzoo is an online travel agency that sells all types of travel packages. It competes with sites such as Travel Pirates,   Groupon , and even Costco Travel .

Travelzoo operates a little differently than competitors in that some rates are specifically negotiated for the website, while others are just good deals the site has found. Either way, Travelzoo is aiming to get you discounted travel all over the world.

It’s easy to write off purchasing travel packages, especially if you’re into points and miles. However, there can be cases when the discounts Travelzoo offers make more sense than stockpiling points. That’s especially true for high-end or hard-to-reach places that don’t have many options for points.

Be aware that the travel packages you’ll find on Travelzoo are time-sensitive. Once they’re sold out, you usually won’t find them again.

Also, the flexibility of your purchase can vary greatly. You may find a package that’s fully refundable until it expires. Others may have a shorter window. Still more may feature limited dates or have surcharges during peak season.

You’ll want to be aware of flexibility details when purchasing your Travelzoo voucher, especially when you have strict travel dates.

Travelzoo’s packages vary. You’ll find hotel-only options that feature discounted hotel rooms :

You can also find flights on sale :

There are cruise deals :

You can even find tickets to attractions, sporting events, and more :

Probably the most iconic of Travelzoo’s offerings is the ability to book an all-inclusive travel package for your vacation that’ll cover airfare, accommodation, food, and gratuities:

Long story short: You can find nearly everything on Travelzoo, and if your desired destination isn’t available when you first look, keep an eye (and alert) out as new packages arrive all the time.

Is Travelzoo a Good Deal?

This is probably our favorite question to answer, especially for folks who aren’t used to paying money for travel. Whether or not Travelzoo is a good deal will depend entirely upon your preferences and destination. Many of these packages include economy class airfare, which you may not want to experience. And if you’re used to using points, you may balk at spending hard-earned cash on a hotel.

Let’s take a look at a package that Travelzoo is offering to the Maldives, a fan-favorite destination for award travelers.

For the second time, Travelzoo has offered the option to purchase a 5-night package to the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa . Costs will vary depending on which package you book, but you can find a stay here for as little as $3,999 for a beach villa:

• Beach Pool Villa: $3,999 — 1,900 square feet and includes a pool
• Overwater Villa: $4,999 — 1,237 square feet and directly over the water
• Overwater Sunset Pool Villa: $6,499  — 1,237 square feet, over the water, and includes a pool

These rates include a discount on the site’s published price (we’ll get further into that down below), but the Travelzoo packages provide much more than just a room. You’ll also receive:

• Daily breakfast and 3-course dinner
• Bottled water in the room
• 22% taxes and gratuities already included

If you’ve ever spent any time in the Maldives, you likely already know how costly food and drinks are, especially at high-end resorts. Although this package doesn’t include alcohol or lunch, the savvy traveler can eliminate their food costs entirely with a well-timed breakfast and some snacks.

Hot Tip: Put any additional expenses on The World of Hyatt Credit Card  to earn bonus points on your vacation.

You’ll also note the ability to book directly into an overwater villa , an option that is not provided when using points.

The Park Hyatt Maldives is also on the shortlist of exclusionary hotels that will not allow you to use a Suite Upgrade Award to confirm yourself into an overwater villa beforehand. You can, if you like, use a cash copay of $600+ per night to move to an overwater villa.

So we know that we can spend $3,999 on a Travelzoo package for a 5-night stay at this hotel, but how does this compare to booking directly with cash? Those who value World of Hyatt elite status may want to earn the elite night credits associated with booking direct, or may otherwise want to take advantage of elite status benefits.

The voucher indicates that there are blackout dates of December 20 to 31, 2022, and January 1 to 10, 2023. There’s also a $150 nightly surcharge during peak season, which extends from December 15 to 19, 2022, and January 11 to February 28, 2023. You’re probably looking to avoid any extra costs after purchasing this package, so let’s take a look at rates for December 10 to 15, 2022.

Here’s that same beach pool villa, not including any meals:

As you can see, you’re already looking at more than double the cost before factoring in any meals .

Is it worth it to earn 5 elite night credits? Obviously, if you’re paying with a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, you’ll be able to plump up your stash pretty neatly here, but that’s certainly not worth it compared to spending half the amount via Travelzoo.

Of course, many travelers aren’t looking to spend money at all on their vacations, which is a perfectly respectable option. In this case, it’s not easy to compare apples-to-apples as the Travelzoo voucher books into a room category you can’t attain with points. Still, let’s take a look at how prices compare.

As a Category 7 hotel, you’ll pay anywhere between 25,000 to 35,000 points per night for your room. These are considered standard dates, which means you’ll pay 30,000 points per night:

A 5-night stay here will cost you 150,000 points in total . That’s a pretty good deal, especially when you consider that we value Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each. This means you’ll redeem just $2,250 worth of points for a beach villa. That’s an excellent value, no matter which way you slice it.

Hot Tip: Check out our handy guide for the best ways to fly and stay in the Maldives with points and miles if you’re looking for a little variety. 

However, you can opt for a cash copay to upgrade on reward nights. In this case, upgrading to a beach pool villa as illustrated in the Travelzoo package comes with a $200+ nightly surcharge (overwater villas are $600+ nightly).

If this were an option you chose, you’d be handing out a total of 150,000 World of Hyatt points (worth $2,250) and a further $1,000 in cash for a total cost of $3,250.

Remember, however, that the Travelzoo packages include both breakfast and dinner. Unless you’re a Globalist (which will get you free breakfast), neither of these will be included with your redemption. And at a resort where tacos cost $26, be prepared to shell out a lot of money on your meals.

Plus, you’re out 150,000 World of Hyatt points when choosing this redemption, which you’d otherwise save and redeem elsewhere when using the voucher.

Bottom Line: There’s no denying that you could save a lot more money when using points to book. But for this example, in order for it to truly be cheaper than the Travelzoo option, you’ll want to stick to the base room and skimp on meals. Meanwhile, booking directly costs more than twice as much as Travelzoo’s offering. 

Purchasing a Travelzoo package is simple. The process will depend on whether Travelzoo is acting as the seller or is just directing you to another site. In cases where you purchase your voucher via Travelzoo’s website, you’ll simply add the voucher to your cart and then check out.

Otherwise, Travelzoo will send you to the travel operator’s website where you can book direct. In some cases, you’ll need to call to book, but the directions for booking will be clearly delineated.

Purchasing a Travelzoo package doesn’t usually mean you’ve actually booked the travel. Instead, once you’ve completed your purchase, your voucher will give you instructions for redemptions. This can require emailing a hotel or cruise line to find availability.

Hot Tip: Prior to buying your Travelzoo package, check availability for your desired hotel by heading directly to the hotel’s website and searching for your dates.

Once you’ve followed the instructions for redeeming your voucher, you’ll be able to confirm your booking. After that, all you’ll need to do is travel!

Since you’ll likely use cash to pay for these travel packages, you’ll want to use a credit card that will maximize your points. Travelzoo codes as travel, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build up your points.

Here are some excellent options from which to choose:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® : Earn 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on travel
• Citi Premier ® Card : Earn 3x Citi ThankYou points per $1 spent on travel
• U.S. Bank Altitude ® Connect Visa Signature ® Card : Earn 4x points per $1 spent on travel
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Earn 2x Capital One miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• Citi Custom Cash ® Card : Earn 5x Citi ThankYou Points per $1 spent on the first $500 per billing cycle on select travel (including Travelzoo)

Let’s say that you used your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to purchase the Park Hyatt package above. The out-of-pocket cost for the cheapest package is $3,999. When using this card to pay, you’d earn 12,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

We value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each (thanks to strong transfer partners), which means your points would be worth a total of $240. That’s not a huge amount compared to the cost of the package, but it’s certainly good for a night in a nice hotel.

You can always use cash to pay for these purchases, which can be a great idea when you’re looking to earn some extra bonus points. However, if you’re really looking to redeem points for your vacation, it’s still possible to redeem points for Travelzoo packages.

To do so, you’ll want to use a credit card that will allow you to redeem points for statement credits. There are a few different options here.

Chase Pay Yourself Back

Taking advantage of the Chase Pay Yourself Back feature when travel is an eligible category is a roundabout way to redeem points for your purchase.

Pay Yourself Back allows you to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points against specific charges you make on your cards within 90 days of purchase. The categories that work for Pay Yourself Back rotate and will differ depending on the card that you hold. Travel would need to be an eligible category on your card to reimburse your Travelzoo expenses for up to 1.5 cents per point , which is the best rate you’ll find anywhere .

In short, you’ll want to buy the package, then redeem your Chase points against any eligible Pay Yourself Back purchases, essentially wiping away the cash value of your package.

Currently, the Pay Yourself Back categories do not include travel.

American Express Membership Rewards Cards

Amex Membership Rewards cardholders can reimburse their purchases via statement credits, but this only provides a value of 0.6 cents per point .

Citi ThankYou Rewards Cards

You can redeem Citi ThankYou Points for a statement credit of 0.5 to 1 cent each ( depending on the card ) against any purchase you make using your card.

Bottom Line: Consider carefully when using your miles or points for a “cash-back” or a statement credit. We value most miles and points at 1.6 to 2.2 cents each , which is far more than you’d receive when redeeming them as statement credits. 

Travelzoo isn’t for everybody, and it’s obviously a hard sell in a community focused on points and miles. However, there’s significant value to be had in the right circumstances. If you’re looking to travel somewhere without chain hotels, Travelzoo can offer discounted options and the ability to earn plenty of bonus points along the way. But that’s not all — even when you’re heading somewhere famous for points redemptions, it’s always worth taking a look at Travelzoo packages to see if a better deal is offered.

And while it’s not necessarily ideal to redeem your points for a Travelzoo package, it can certainly be done, thus rendering your vacation truly free.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the U.S. Bank Altitude ® Connect Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are travelzoo deals real.

Yes! Travelzoo deals can get you great discounts on your vacations. You’ll want to read the fine print carefully — make sure there is availability for your travel dates and that there’s a refund option if you’re not sure about your travel plans.

What is the best travel site to book from?

The best travel site from which to book will depend on your needs. Generally, we recommend booking directly with a hotel or airline, as it can make things easier if travel goes awry. However, other sites (like Travelzoo) can provide better discounts.

Does Travelzoo give refunds?

Whether or not you’ll receive a refund on your Travelzoo voucher will depend upon the terms of the package you purchase. Some packages are entirely refundable for years after you buy them — others have a more limited window. Check the details before you buy.

How does Travelzoo work?

You can book travel packages from Travelzoo in 2 different ways. The first includes buying a voucher directly from Travelzoo, in which case you’ll use your card to complete the transaction. Otherwise, you’ll be redirected to the travel provider that is actually selling the package.

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About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

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The 26 best zoos in the u.s..

Discover the top animal parks for education, conservation and global outreach.

(Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) |

These zoos provide excellent opportunities to see and learn more about all kinds of animals.

(Courtesy of Minnesota Zoo) |

What to know before you go

(Courtesy of Oakland Zoo) |

Oakland Zoo: Oakland, California

(Getty Images) |

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: Washington, D.C.

(Kaiti Grant | Courtesy of Alaska SeaLife Center)

Alaska SeaLife Center: Seward, Alaska

(Ray Meibaum | Courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo)

Saint Louis Zoo: St. Louis

(Courtesy of Fort Worth Zoo) |

Fort Worth Zoo: Fort Worth, Texas

(Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) |

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park: San Diego

(Julie Larsen Maher | Courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society)

Bronx Zoo: New York City

(Courtesy of Brevard Zoo) |

Brevard Zoo: Melbourne, Florida

Minnesota Zoo: Apple Valley, Minnesota

(Courtesy of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) |

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: Omaha, Nebraska

(Courtesy of Audubon Nature Institute) |

Audubon Zoo: New Orleans

(Courtesy of Denver Zoo) |

Denver Zoo: Denver, Colorado

(Courtesy of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens) |

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens: Palm Desert, California

(Courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo) |

Philadelphia Zoo: Philadelphia

(Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta) |

Zoo Atlanta: Atlanta

(Courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo) |

Woodland Park Zoo: Seattle

(Courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) |

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Colorado Springs, Colorado

(Courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo) |

Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, Rhode Island

(Courtesy of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) |

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Tucson, Arizona

(Jordan Whitt | Courtesy of Indianapolis Zoo)

Indianapolis Zoo: Indianapolis

(Jim Schulz | Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo)

Brookfield Zoo: Brookfield, Illinois

(Courtesy of Memphis Zoo) |

Memphis Zoo: Memphis, Tennessee

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Cincinnati

(Courtesy of Virginia Zoo) |

Virginia Zoo: Norfolk, Virginia

Houston Zoo: Houston, Texas

(Courtesy of Lion Country Safari) |

Lion Country Safari: Loxahatchee, Florida

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13 Top Picks for the Best Zoo in the US | The Highest Standards of Visitor Experiences, Animal Care, and Conservation Efforts

• Activities and Interests
• Best Of Travel
• Best Of Travel Awards: 2023
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• United States

Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

When it comes to encountering exotic wildlife and exploring diverse ecosystems, there’s no better place than the best zoo in the US. Every year, TravelAwaits asks its readers to vote for the best zoos in the country as part of our annual Best Of Travel Awards and we’re thrilled to present the 2023 results! Spread across the U.S., these remarkable zoos exemplify the highest standards of visitor experiences, animal care, and conservation efforts.

Below you can find a quick summary of our top 13 zoos, or you can continue reading to learn about each in more detail:

13 Top Picks for the Best Zoo in the US

1. san diego zoo (winner), san diego, california.

Our 2023 Best Of Travel Award winner for Best Zoo in the U.S. is the San Diego Zoo ! Situated in sunny San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park, this southern California zoo is renowned for its diverse collection of animals and dedication to conservation. With more than 14,000 rare and endangered animals from more than 700 species and subspecies, the zoo provides visitors with an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Open-air, cageless exhibits recreate the animal’s natural habitats. In addition to clouded leopards, bonobos, red pandas, and California condors, this zoo is also home to botanical gardens. Take a ride on the  Skyfari Aerial Tram for a bird’s eye view of the whole place!

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near San Diego, California

2. Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, d.c..

Attracting nearly 2 million visitors a year , Smithsonian National Zoological Park is in the heart of our nation’s capital. Established in the late 1800s in an attempt to save several native North American species such as deer, foxes, beavers, and bison from extinction, the national zoo is one of the oldest in the country.

Almost 250 animals representing 20 species reside on the Smithsonian National Zoological Park’s 163 acres. It is one of few zoos in the country that has giant pandas, which is one of its biggest draws. Observe and learn about more familiar members of the animal kingdom, such as the bald eagle, California sea lion, and beaver on the American Trail.

Pro Tip: There are free admission zoos in the US , like the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, but parking is limited and pricey. TravelAwaits contributor Sage Scott recommends taking the Metrorail to Cleveland Park and then leaving from Woodley Park, which makes the walk to and from the zoo entirely downhill.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Washington, D.C.

3. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo And Aquarium

Omaha, nebraska.

Nationally recognized for its animal care, exhibit design, and conservation, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is regarded as one of the best zoos in the world. Sprawling over 160 acres, it boasts the largest indoor rainforest in the country.

Henry Doorly Zoo is also the largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor desert in the world. In the Lied Jungle rainforest exhibit, visitors can look out from behind a 50-foot-high waterfall.

Other popular attractions of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo include the 70-foot shark tunnel, Skyfari (the open-air chairlift), and the African Grasslands exhibit where guests can feed a giraffe. Unique species include David’s deer, bongos, Amur tigers, and bush babies. If you are interested in aquariums, US has some of the best aquariums in the world.

Pro Tip: Golf cart tours are available for those who don’t want to walk around the large and hilly Henry Doorly Zoo.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Omaha, Nebraska

4. Bronx Zoo

New york city, new york.

As the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S., the Bronx Zoo is a remarkable urban oasis teeming with wildlife. Situated on 265 acres of parkland, the zoo houses over 10,000 animals of more than 700 species. Its incredible variety of exhibits, including Tiger Mountain, Jungleworld, and the Children’s Zoo, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the wonders of the animal kingdom. Treetop Adventures invites visitors to don a harness and tackle the ropes course high in the trees and ride the zipline over the Bronx River.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near New York City, New York

5. Saint Louis Zoo

St. louis, missouri.

Nestled in Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo is renowned for its commitment to conservation and exceptional animal care. Several structures built for the 1904 World’s Fair have been repurposed to showcase over 16,000 animals across the zoo’s 90 acres.

With over 600 species, Saint Louis Zoo offers a captivating experience for visitors, featuring exhibits like River’s Edge where visitors can observe hippos, elephants, and gorillas in their natural habitats.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near St. Louis, Missouri

6. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, ohio.

Combining a stunning botanical garden with a top-notch zoo, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a delightful attraction for nature lovers. Home to adorable hippo siblings, Fiona and Fritz, this zoo showcases a vast collection of animals — over 500 animal and 3,000 plant species — while providing educational programs and conservation initiatives. Check out the University of Cincinnati mascot, the bearcat, in the Night Hunters habitat of the Cincinnati Zoo.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Cincinnati, Ohio

7. ZooTampa At Lowry Park

Tampa, florida.

Situated along the scenic Hillsborough River, ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a fantastic blend of entertainment and education. Known for its immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, this zoo provides visitors with an opportunity to get up close with animals like manatees, giraffes, and orangutans.

Although it only takes up 24 acres, its habitats are home to 1,100 Asian, African, and Australian animals, plus native Florida wildlife. ZooTampa is also noted for its animal veterinary care and rehabilitation of endangered species.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Tampa, Florida

8. Fort Worth Zoo

Fort worth, texas.

With its commitment to animal conservation and an extensive collection of species, the Fort Worth Zoo stands as a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning 64 acres, the zoo features exhibits like Texas Wild! and African Savanna, providing visitors with a chance to witness the incredible diversity of animal life.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Fort Worth, Texas

9. Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield, illinois.

Situated in a suburb of Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo is a beloved attraction that combines education, conservation, and family fun. Home to a wide range of wild animals — including lions, gorillas, and dolphins — Brookfield Zoo offers engaging exhibits and interactive experiences that captivate visitors of all ages.

Over 200 acres feature large exhibits in a wooded setting because it is also an arboretum. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you walk around the flat, midwestern forest. Lying at the center of grassy lanes, the Roosevelt Fountain makes for a great spot to meet up while in the Brookfield Zoo.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Brookfield, Illinois

10. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson, arizona.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers a unique and immersive experience that showcases the beauty and diversity of the desert ecosystem. Combining a zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum, this remarkable institution allows visitors to explore the desert landscapes while encountering animals like javelinas, desert tortoises, and Mexican wolves.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Tucson, Arizona

11. Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago, illinois.

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the U.S., offering a delightful escape within the bustling city of Chicago. With its free admission policy, the zoo provides access to a diverse range of animals, from playful primates to majestic big cats, while fostering a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Chicago, Illinois

12. Denver Zoo

Denver, colorado.

The Denver Zoo in the Mile High City offers interactive events like interactions with llamas Jorge and Fernando, along with diverse cultural performances. Kids will be eager for the opportunity to join the zoo’s ‘Bunk with the Beasts’ overnight stay, which features up-close encounters with the animals as well as a pizza dinner, snack, and breakfast. 

Behind the scenes of the Denver Zoo, the Field Conservation and Emergency Wildlife Response teams work tirelessly to safeguard species from threats like habitat loss and human encroachment.

A sloth pup, white gators, and a new giraffe are exciting new additions to the Denver Zoo.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Denver, Colorado

13. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Pittsburgh, pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Zoo covers 77 acres and is accredited both as a zoo and aquarium. It is home to over 4,000 animals and 475 species, with 20 of them listed as endangered. The Kid’s Kingdom features interactive exhibits, while the Asian Forest showcases species from Eastern and Southeast Asia including the adorable two new Amur leopard cubs. 

The two-floor Aquarium with a massive 45,000-square-foot tank, and the indoor Tropical Forest that hosts mostly primates add to the Pittsburgh Zoo attractions. Don’t skip the 21+ Summer Safari Event with food, live music, and cocktails.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What City Is Home to America’s First Zoo?

When it opened on July 1, 1874, the Philadelphia Zoo became the first zoo established in the USA. During its first year of operation, the Philadelphia Zoo housed 813 animals and welcomed more than 228,000 visitors. 

What Is the Largest Urban Zoo in the U.S.?

Residing upon 265 acres a few miles northeast of Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country. Because of the sheer size of the park, visitors may not be able to see everything in a single day without using either the Zoo Shuttle or Wild Asia Monorail. 

What Are the Most Humane Zoos in the U.S.?

You can’t tell for certain. Any zoo that has the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation (AZA) has a very strict set of ethical standards for animal welfare and endangered species preservation. You can count on all of them being as humane as possible and you can really feel good when visiting. 

How Much Does It Cost to Go to a Zoo in the United States?

It depends. The cost of visiting a zoo in the U.S. varies depending on factors such as the location of the zoo, the size of the zoo, and the time of year. Some zoos offer discounted or free admission on certain days, so ask ahead about any special deals or promotions. 

How Many US Zoos Are AZA Accredited?

As of September 2023, there are 237 institutions accredited by AZA and 15 related facilities with AZA accreditation. For a complete list of all AZA accredited zoos visit their official website.

Laura Ray has lived in Atlanta, the Bay Area, SoCal, and Austin. After moving from Texas, she and her husband rambled about the Midwest in a camper for a couple of years before finally settling on 35 acres in their home state of Kentucky. When she isn't clacking around on the keyboard (cat in lap), you can find her practicing yoga, gardening, or playing the ukulele. This travel-lover's favorite destinations include Italy, the Greek isles, and Kentucky Lake.