Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo holds the distinction of being the first zoo in the United States, chartered in 1859 and opened to the public in 1874. But its most remarkable feature is thoroughly modern: the Zoo360 trail system, an innovation that no other major zoo has replicated at this scale.

Zoo360 consists of see-through mesh trails that extend above visitor pathways, connecting different animal exhibits. Animals move through these trails voluntarily, traveling between habitats while visitors watch from below. The Big Cat Crossing features tigers and lions walking through a tunnel directly overhead.

The Gorilla Treeway lets primates swing and climb above the main walkway. It transforms the traditional zoo experience from 'looking at animals in enclosures' to 'animals moving freely above you.'

The zoo's 42 acres house over 1,300 animals. The primate exhibits are particularly strong — western lowland gorillas, Bornean orangutans, and white-cheeked gibbons are all well-housed with good visibility. KidZooU is the dedicated children's area with close-up animal encounters, a sensory garden, and interactive learning stations.

The Fairmount Park setting is beautiful — mature trees provide shade throughout most of the zoo, and Swan Lake in the center creates a natural rest area. The zoo is flat, fully paved, and stroller-accessible throughout.

Logistics: the zoo is in Fairmount Park, about 10 minutes from Center City by car. On-site parking is $20. SEPTA bus route 38 serves the zoo entrance. Combining with the Please Touch Museum (also in Fairmount Park, 10-minute drive) makes for a full family day in the area.