Connecticut is located in the New England region of the United States, and it is one of the many states in the country.
While it is not as popular to outsiders as Florida or Texas, Connecticut also has its attractions, one of which is the zoos you can take your children to.
Some of the best zoos in Connecticut include the Beardsley Zoo, Riverside reptiles education center, Sharon Audubon, and Seaquest Connecticut, among others.
Here’s a round-up of the most visited and loved zoo attractions in Connecticut.
The Best Zoos in Connecticut to Experience Amazing Wildlife
1. Connecticut Beardsley Zoo
The Connecticut Beardsley Zoo is the most popular zoo you’d find in this state, and for good reasons.
It is located in Bridgeport, the most populous city in the state. This isn’t the only reason the zoo is popular, though.
It has different exhibits that draw in people from different parts of the state and country.
We will look at some of these exhibits, but before that, let’s look at the origin.
The Connecticut Beardsley Zoo was opened on the 16th of March, 1922. Before that time—in 1878—a wealthy farmer named James W. Beardsley donated over 100 acres of land to the city.
The city then turned the land into a park named Beardsley Park. The zoo itself came into place after a successful campaign done by Wesley Hayes, Bridgeport Park’s Commissioner.
Now to the exhibits. This zoo is divided into nine of them.
They are the Rainforest Building, the Alligator Alley, Predators, the Hoofstock Trail, New England Farmyard, the W.O.L.F, the Native Reptile House, the Pampas Plains, and the Professor Beardsley’s Research Station.
2. Action Wildlife
Action Wildlife is located in Litchfield County. Just as the name implies, the action wildlife is filled with action.
There are over 350 exotic animals in the wildlife, and all of them come from 6 continents.
Not much is known about the origin of the zoo itself, but it has come to stay.
It operates very much like a safari, containing animals like zebras, llamas, water buffalos, and some others.
The wildlife promises a personal experience with the animals, and you can even feed the animals.
The wildlife also offers a museum with replicas of old and exotic animals.
3. Denison Pequotseptos Nature Center
The Denison Pequotseptos Nature Center is located in Mystic, and it has the advantage of size over many others in Connecticut.
This center has enough space for people to stroll around with their families and observe both the environment and the animals within. You may not get all you can from one trip.
The conservation center opened in 1946, and since then, it has kept its welcoming doors to visitors and indigenes in the community.
There are trails to explore, exhibits to view, and knowledge to gain. One of the center’s major aims is the protection of the environment, which includes conserving animals.
4. Sharon Audubon Center
The Sharon Audubon Center falls under the broader Audubon Sharon, a wildlife sanctuary that is found in the town of Sharon, Connecticut.
The Audubon Sharon sanctuary consists of both the center and the Emily Winthrop Miles Wildlife Sanctuary.
The center consists more of forests and ponds, alongside a trail for you to trudge down with your company.
The existence of this center was made possible largely because of a donation.
The land where the Audubon Sharon is right now once belonged to a couple named Clement and Keyo Ford.
Other attractions include a raptor aviary, a sugar house, a small museum, a store, and a garden.
5. Seaquest Connecticut
The Seaquest Connecticut is not officially a zoo, but still a good place to find animals, especially if you want to spice things up with some marine creatures.
Though this place has some terrestrial habitats, it is filled with more aquatic. Seaquest offers you the opportunity to both explore the surroundings and learn.
Animals you can find include sharks and stingrays, as well as terrestrial animals like lizards and birds.
There’s also the wallaby, an animal that’s similar to the kangaroo. You get the opportunity to interact with both aquatic and terrestrial animals. You can even feed them.
6. Riverside Reptiles Education Center
The Riverside Reptiles Education Center is the best reptile zoo you’ll find in Connecticut, and as the name shows, the Riverside Reptiles is a home for different reptile species.
It is located in Enfield, ideal for people living in Connecticut.
This is an indoor zoo, most likely for the reptile’s safety. Examples of reptiles you can find in the zoo include snakes, chameleons, alligators, and tortoises.
As an education center, it also helps people know more about reptiles, an often misunderstood animal type.
7. Mystic Aquarium
The Mystic aquarium is located in Mystic village in Connecticut state. It was opened in 1973 and started as a private corporation.
The primary shareholder of the Mystic aquarium was a philanthropist and industrialist named Kevin Smith.
There are some peculiar animals in this aquarium, like the Stellar sea lions and the Beluga whales.
The aquarium is one of two in the United States that has sea lions, and in the New England region, it is the only establishment with beluga whales.
Other animals include the African penguins, the Japanese spider crabs, bamboo sharks, sea turtles, some Artic spotted seals, and clownfish.
8. Highway Deer & Animal Farm
The Highway Deer & Animal Farm is located in Woodbury and is the home of more than 30 animals.
It is considered a good spot for families, especially those with young kids. The staff is friendly, and you also get the opportunity to interact with the animals.
There are a couple of exotic and interesting animals on the farm, including camels, coati, and alpacas.
There are also regular farm animals like birds, pigs, and goats. The zoo is quite affordable, so you could visit without breaking the bank.
9. Flamig Farm
The Flamig farm is located in West Simsbury, and it has a specific period going from April to mid-November.
It is environmentally friendly and the right place to take your family to. You could also visit on special occasions like your birthday.
The Flamig farm has a petting zoo, which is one more reason to go with your family.
Animals you can find on the farm include cats, chickens, rabbits, goats, turkeys, pigs, cows, and a host of other animals.
10. Silverman’s Farm
Silverman’s Farm is located in Easton, Connecticut. Besides being a regular farm, it also has a high-quality petting zoo which is considered one of the best in the state.
The cool thing about the petting zoo is that you find a variety of animals like llamas, alpacas, emus, and deer. You can pet and feed them.
Besides the animals you’d see, another attractive quality of this farm is the number of fruits you’d find.
You can go home with apples, peaches, blueberries, and raspberries.
Final Thoughts
There are many sites you can visit in the state, and the best zoos in Connecticut are among them.
While not all of them on this list are zoos in the classical sense, they are all homes to different animals, both aquatic and terrestrial. Follow any guidelines, and have fun!
