AAA Traveler Feb/Mar 2022 Carolinas - 7

What makes a great zoo? It might be a spectacular physical setting or
unique exhibits and programs. With 215 zoos and aquariums in the U.S.
accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, there's certainly
no shortage of choice. Check out these top five crowd-pleasers.
The Omni
Grove Park Inn
Asheville, N.C.
With its distinctive
granite stone facade
and red clay tile
thatched-style
roof, the AAA Four Diamonddesignated
Omni Grove Park
Inn is an architectural delight.
Nestled on Sunset Mountain
with a commanding view of
the Blue Ridge Mountains,
this Asheville gem has been a
destination for more than 100
years.
Reminiscent of a rustic
mountain lodge, the Great
Hall impresses with original
Arts and Crafts decor and two
enormous stone fireplaces.
Guests can stay in one of 513
rooms and suites, and enjoy
plenty of activities, including an
18-hole Donald Ross-designed
golf course and an atmospheric
grotto-like subterranean spa.
Add to this the historic hotel's
cozy spots for cocktails and
selection of stylish restaurants,
and it's no wonder it remains a
top spot for travelers.
Book online at AAA.com/hotels
TRAVELER FEB/MAR 22
7
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
At elevations ranging from 6,714 feet to nearly 7,000 feet above sea
level, North America's highest elevation zoo offers expansive views
of the Pikes Peak area and features hundreds of animals, including a
17-member giraffe herd, Amur tiger, African elephants, hippos, rhino,
great apes, African lions and more. Don't miss the amazing vistas from
the Mountaineer Sky Ride open-air chairlift, or the moose and grizzly
bears as they roam in naturalistic settings. USA Today's 10Best Readers'
Choice Awards placed it in the top four in 2021 for " Best Zoo. "
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (Bay Lake, Fla.)
The animal exhibits are the stars at this meticulously designed
zoological theme park that's part of Walt Disney World Resort near
Orlando. Roughly 2,000 animals representing 300 species, including
Sumatran tigers, elephants and zebras, roam the 580 acres of
vegetation and water-filled habitats. A guided ride with Kilimanjaro
Safaris allows amazing views of animals via open-air safari vehicles.
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, Ill.)
From lions to polar bears to bison, there's a rich mix of animals at this
much-loved zoo established in 1934. Its 200-plus acres, just west of
Chicago, are home to more than 2,700 animals of 500 species. In 2020,
the zoo welcomed two new African lions, brothers Brutus and Titus. The
indoor primate area is one of the largest indoor mixed-species exhibits
in the world.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Omaha, Neb.)
The zoo's massive geodesic dome is the world's largest indoor desert
and home to meerkats, ocelots and the world's most venomous land
snake. The 28-acre African Grasslands exhibit is a highlight, featuring
giraffes, cheetahs and other wild beasts. The zoo garnered the number
three spot for " Best Zoo " in 2021 by USA Today's 10Best Readers'
Choice Awards.
Memphis Zoo (Memphis, Tenn.)
The city's highest attended attraction, established in 1906, gets more
than a million visitors annually. Those who walk through its distinctive
hieroglyphics-decorated entrance can see more than 3,500 animals of
over 500 species. It's one of only three zoos in the nation with giant
pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le, on loan from China.
http://www.AAA.com/hotels
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