Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo is home to more than 250 types of animals including Amur tigers, grizzly and polar bears, and red kangaroos. It’s a 125-acre (50-hectare) facility about 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of downtown.Visit the African Grasslands habitat to see some of the planet’s most amazing wildlife. You’ll come across Simba, the zoo’s male lion, as well as two females, Bikira and Erin. There are also warthogs, giraffes, zebras, aardvarks and a pair of white rhinos. Move on to the African Forest to watch exotic birds and some of our closest primate ancestors. You’ll see squawking spoonbills and a cast of other critters, but by far the habitat’s biggest attraction is the great apes of Harambee. See western lowland gorillas, drills and chimpanzees play within a faithfully re-created rainforest. See Amur tigers, red pandas and a group of cheeky Japanese macaques at the Asian Forest. Discover the world Down Under at the Australian Outback habitat. Kids will love the barrier-free exhibits that let them get close to red kangaroos and wallabies. Reptile fans should visit the snakes and crocodiles, among other species, at the Museum of Living Reptiles. You can also wander through the Amphibiville wetland to spot frogs and toads. Stroll through the butterfly garden and free-flight aviary where some of the planet’s prettiest creatures live.You’ll see America’s largest polar bear exhibit at the Arctic Ring of Life. Walk through a 70-foot (21-meter) long clear-sided tunnel to watch three bears swim and splash above you. Find out what macaroni, rock-hopper and king penguins look like at the nearby Penguinarium. The Detroit Zoo also has a Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, a 4-D cinema, a Wild Adventure Ride and a carousel for youngsters. You can park on site for a small fee, or take the Detroit SMART bus from downtown. It stops near the zoo, as well as other attractions. The zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.