Note from 10Best: After feedback from our nominated facilities and careful consideration among our editorial team, we have made the difficult decision to pause these Readers’ Choice contests until later this year.
While we were hoping this contest would offer a bit of good news, we feel it’s more important for all the very worthy nominees to focus their energy on getting through this difficult time.
Every vote cast before the pause will carry over when we re-launch down the line.
If you’d like to receive notifications for when these contests will re-launch, please sign up for email updates.
Best Aerial Adventure Park
[PHOTO_378012]
While zip lines and canopy tours began as a tool for scientific field research, they’ve exploded in popularity as an attraction in their own right – a way to experience the forest canopy in a safe and thrilling environment.
Vote: Best Aerial Adventure Park »
Best Aquarium
[PHOTO_378017]
Aquariums put us face to fin with aquatic life from the world’s oceans, lakes and waterways in a fun and educational setting. The best aquariums also play a vital role in animal conservation by taking part in rescue efforts and advocating for the environmental health of our oceans.
These 20 aquariums, nearly all accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, represent the best in North America for their high-quality exhibits and visitor interactions.
Best Botanical Garden
[PHOTO_378025]
April showers might very well bring May flowers, but at the public and botanical gardens dotting North America, there’s always something in bloom. The best gardens and arboretums on the continent help to promote and conserve the plant diversity of our planet, all while showcasing their vast collections in stunning, visitor friendly ways.
Best Safari Park
[PHOTO_378034]
You don’t have to fly to Africa to go on safari! At these 20 safari and wildlife parks, nominated as the best in the U.S., visitors get up close and personal with exotic and endangered animals from around the country and the world.
Many of the facilities are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and have a focus on conservation as well as education.
Best Zoo
[PHOTO_378042]
North America is home to hundreds of zoological parks, including more than 200 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Short of heading out into the world’s wild places, nothing beats a visit to the zoo to foster an appreciation for the striking animal diversity of our planet.
We asked a panel of travel experts to nominate their favorite North American AZA-accredited zoos – facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment, while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors.
Best Zoo Exhibit
[PHOTO_378047]
A great zoo exhibit engages visitors with the animals they’re observing while keeping the welfare and enrichment of its animal residents front and center.
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, April 24.
10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network, providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world, in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.