Zoos, aquariums, safari parks, dude ranches and botanical gardens are great ways to get out and explore with our friends and families. In our search to find the top spots, we invited a panel of experts to nominate their picks for the best, and now we need your help to narrow down these lists.
Voting ends on Monday, March 6 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Aquarium
These 20 aquariums let you explore aquatic life up-close — Photo courtesy of galitskaya // Getty Images
Aquariums reveal the hidden wonders of the world's oceans, lakes and waterways in fun, exploratory settings. The best aquariums also play a vital role in animal conservation by participating in rescue efforts and marine advocacy. These 20 aquariums, nominated by a panel of experts, represent the best in the country for their high-quality exhibits and visitor interactions.
Best Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens help educate about plant life in addition to conserving species — Photo courtesy of Lya_Cattel // Getty Images
From desert climates to Japanese gardens, these stunning botanical gardens showcase vast collections of plant life, helping to promote and conserve the plant diversity of our planet.
Best Dude Ranch
Reconnect with nature on a dude ranch vacation — Photo courtesy of E+ / FluxFactory
Dating back to the late 19th century, dude ranches offer a vacation experience unlike any other. Guests are invited to escape to the country, discover ranch life – through horseback riding, fishing, cattle pushing and campfires – and bask in the natural scenery around them.
Best Safari Park
Learn about animals – and even interact with them – at safari parks — Photo courtesy of Solovyova // Getty Images
Safari and wildlife parks allow visitors to get up-close and personal with some of the world's most exotic and endangered animals. The best safari parks aim to educate visitors about the animals and the threats their natural populations face, as well as encourage conservation efforts.
Best Zoo
A visit to the zoo is a fun and educational outing for children and adults alike — Photo courtesy of kali9 // Getty Images
Whether you're looking for an educational way to entertain the kids or go on a unique date, visiting a local zoo is a great idea. To help us find the country's best zoos, we invited a panel of travel experts and industry professionals to nominate facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors.
Best Zoo Exhibit
These zoo exhibits get top marks for their innovation — Photo courtesy of DragonImages // Getty Images
The best zoo exhibits not only educate, but also engage visitors by transporting them to another place – whether it be the foothills of the Himalayas, a Florida swamp or the Australian outback. We asked a panel of zoo professionals and family travel experts to nominate their favorite animal exhibits in the United States, and now we need you to choose a winner.
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, March 17.
