Top 10 Ranked Zoos in the Nation

10. Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, LA

Audubon Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and spans 58 acres in New Orleans, Louisiana. Situated in Uptown New Orleans, the name honors artist and naturalist John James Audubon. It opened its doors in 1914 but has been home to animal exhibits since the 1884 World’s Fair.

9. St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, MO

The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair is credited with the official opening of this site in 1910. The 90-acre space houses around 18,700 animals. Expansions began in 1921 with the Bear Pits, followed by various improvements to enhance animal care and the visitor experience.

8. The Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, OH

Located in the Avondale neighborhood, this is the second-oldest zoo in the United States. Founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875, it now spans 75 acres and features 1,896 animals across 500 species. Before its creation, the grounds were used to control caterpillars by acquiring insect-eating birds.

7. San Diego Zoo in San Diego, CA

Housing over 12,000 animals, the San Diego Zoo sees 4 million visitors annually. It opened in 1916 after the exotic animal exhibition, formerly in its place, was abandoned in 1915. Covering 100 acres in Balboa Park, it is the most visited of its kind in the United States.

6. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, AL

Originally named Zooland Animal Park, it opened its doors in 1989 as a non-profit organization with 300 animals spread across 25 acres. The site features a reptile house, a petting area, and animal shows.

5. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in Denver, CO

This 80-acre campus is home to over 2,500 animals. Its mission is to provide the community with “intimate, inspiring, and informative first-hand encounters with the wonders of nature.” The organization operates as a non-profit, supported by memberships, park visits, and donations.

4. Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, IL

Opening in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, Brookfield’s mission is to inspire people to protect wildlife and ecosystems. It was the first in the United States to house a panda, TSu-lin, and saw the first black rhino born in captivity.

3. San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, TX

Located in Brackenridge Park, this 57-acre site is home to over 750 species. Opening in 1914, it welcomes around 1 million visitors annually. Originally part of the Brackenridge Park and Golf Course, it once held bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears.

2. Memphis Zoo in Memphis, TN

Located in Midtown Memphis, this site opened in 1906 and now houses 3,500 animals on 76 acres. It was established with $1,200 from the Memphis Park Commission, with the first building completed in 1907. Today, over $77 million has been invested in renovations and expansions.

1. North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC

Ranked the “Best Zoo” in the nation, this facility in Asheboro, North Carolina, houses 1,700 animals on 2,600 acres. It is one of only two state-supported zoos in the United States and is the world’s largest natural habitat site. It is open year-round, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas, welcoming around 1 million visitors annually (as of 2023). 

Click here to read more about North Carolina’s ‘Best Zoo’ title.

Dominant Summer Olympic sports by Team USA, ranked by total gold medals as of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France

10. Tennis (21)

Team USA has won 41 total medals in tennis: 21 gold, 7 silver, and 13 bronze. Team USA’s tennis player Coco Gauff was their 2024 female flag bearer despite it being her first time competing in the Olympic Games, a testament to how impressive this team is. Serena Williams and Venus Williams, who lead the all-time Olympic tennis medal count with 4 gold medals each, have set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire and elevate Team USA’s tennis athletes.

9. Basketball (27)

Team USA is dominant in basketball, with 32 total medals. The United States men’s team won 16 of the 19 tournaments in which they participated, and LeBron James was selected as the men’s flag bearer for the United States. After the conclusion of the 2024 Olympics, the United States has 27 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals in basketball.

8. Rowing (34)

Dominating in rowing, Team USA has earned 91 medals: 34 gold, 32 silver, and 25 bronze. Until the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, only men were allowed to compete in rowing but since being allowed to compete, Team USA’s women’s team has medaled 15 times across various rowing events. 

7. Artistic Gymnastics (41)

As of 2024, Team USA has 127 total medals in artistic gymnastics: 41 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze (combining both men’s and women’s events). Simone Biles dominated the 2024 Summer Olympics with 3 gold and 1 silver medal in her events, including winning gold with the women’s team and all-around. This year was the first time the men’s team has medaled (bronze) since 2008.

6. Diving (49)

Since diving was introduced, Team USA has accumulated 142 medals: 49 gold, 47 silver, and 46 bronze. In 1904 when diving was introduced in St. Louis, the United States won every medal available in the event. 

5. Boxing (50)

Team USA has won a total of 118 medals in boxing: 50 gold, 27 silver, and 41 bronze. Cuba is trailing in second place with 80 total medals. Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games except when Stockholm hosted in 1912, as Swedish law at the time banned martial arts.

4. Shooting (58)

Team USA leads in shooting with 121 medals: 58 gold, 34 silver, and 29 bronze. China is trailing behind with 77 total medals, but the USA has nearly doubled China’s gold medal count of 26. Margaret Murdock, a former United States Army officer, became the first female to win gold for the United States in 1976.

3. Wrestling (59)

Team USA holds the most overall medals in wrestling, with 59 gold, 48 silver, and 45 bronze, though it trails the Soviet Union in gold medals by seven. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, Team USA earned 7 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze.

2. Swimming (273)

With 634 total medals – 273 gold, 204 silver, and 157 bronze – Team USA is the dominant nation in swimming. Among the top 15 male Olympic swimmers by medal count, 13 are from the United States with Michael Phelps topping the list. Katie Ledecky leads the female swimmers with 14 total medals, 9 of which are gold.

1. Athletics (258)

Athletics, which includes track & field, road running, and race walking events, is the area where Team USA succeeds the most. At the 2024 Paris Games alone, the United States took home 14 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze medals. The United States now has a total of 861 medals in athletics, nearly 4.5 times the number won by the second-place Soviet Union, which has 193 medals.