Brookfield, Ill. — A day after announcing plans for an expansion that will include outdoor habitats for its apes and monkeys, Brookfield Zoo, which is managed by the Chicago Zoological Society, is happy to announce it placed 5^th in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 for best zoo.

Nominees for the “Best Zoo” category were chosen by a panel of travel experts and industry professionals, who chose facilities that excel in animal care and enrichment while also providing engaging and meaningful interactions between animals and zoogoers.
Once nominees were selected, the public was then asked to go online and vote for their favorite zoo. The top 10 best zoos in the United States for 2023 are:

1. 1. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Nebraska)
2. 2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Ohio)
3. 3. Brevard Zoo (Florida)
4. 4. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado)
5. 5. Brookfield Zoo (Illinois)
6. 6. ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Florida)
7. 7. Audubon Zoo (Louisiana)
8. 8. Saint Louis Zoo (Missouri)
9. 9. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Ohio)
10. 10. Indianapolis Zoo (Indiana)

Brookfield Zoo was chosen as one of the top zoo’s in the country for its strong focus on animal care and conservation of the natural world along with educating zoogoers about its animals. Guests can learn about the more than 2,400 animals representing approximately 500 species. Additionally, the Zoo hosts a number of education activities ranging from Earth Day celebrations, lecture series, up-close animal experiences, and education programming for children, including camp, and leadership development opportunities for its King Conservation Science Scholars.