You don’t have to travel far to go to one of the top-rated zoos in the country. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium consistently scores top marks. It even received third place in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2021. Find out what makes this zoo stand out, and then plan a fun outing with your family.
Visit the World’s Largest Indoor Desert
While the Henry Doorly Zoo is full of amazing exhibits, it’s hard to beat the Desert Dome. The dome is the first thing you’ll notice when you approach the zoo, and you’ll want to make a beeline for it as soon as you enter. The Desert Dome houses three distinct deserts from around the globe. As you navigate the dome, you’ll explore deserts from South Africa, Australia, and the United States. Each region has animals and plants that you’d find in those deserts.
Be sure to stop by the Sun Room before you leave the exhibit. This room has young amphibians and reptiles. There’s nothing quite as cute as a baby reptile.
See Nocturnal Animals
Don’t leave the Desert Dome after visiting the Sun Room. Instead, go underneath it to see the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit. This is the biggest nocturnal animal exhibit in the entire world, and it’s fascinating.
Usually, nocturnal animals are asleep when you visit the zoo. That’s not the case with this exhibit, though. With reversed day-night cycles, the animals think it’s the middle of the night during the day. Because of that, they are active, so you can see what they do during the night.
There’s a lot to explore, but walking over the bridges and gazing at the swamp might be the best part. Watching the alligators while walking along the bridges is a thrilling experience.
Explore the Jungle
This zoo also has the country’s largest indoor rainforest. You’ll forget you’re inside as you traverse the Lied Jungle. Move slowly through the exhibit, giving yourself time to take it all in during your journey. From the sounds of crashing waterfalls to the gibbons swinging among the trees, there’s so much to experience. The exhibit recreates rainforests in Africa, Asia, and South America, and with exquisite details, you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled to those locations.
You might also like: Finance Your Next Ride In Omaha
And So Much More
These are just three of the numerous highlights at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. You’ll also want to take in the Asian Highlands exhibit, explore the African Grasslands, and more. With so much to see and do, you’ll want to spend an entire day at the zoo. You’ll fill that time with one exciting adventure after the next.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.