ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — For the second consecutive year, the North Carolina Zoo has been recognized as the No. 1 zoo in the country by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Each year the Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards editors nominate around 10 Zoos across the country for readers to vote for the best. After topping the list in 2024, the zoo once again claimed the top spot this year beating out other finalists including the San Antonio Zoo in Texas and the Denver Zoo in Colorado.
Located in Randolph County, the North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and one of only two state-supported zoos in the United States. It opened in 1984 and spans more than 2,800 acres, housing over 1,700 animals.
In 2023 and 2024, the zoo welcomed more than 1 million guests each year and recently celebrated its 30 millionth all-time visitor. The increase in attendance comes ahead of the highly anticipated opening of the zoo’s new 12.5-acre Asia continent — its first major expansion since North America opened in the early 1990s.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized as the nation’s ‘Best Zoo’ two years running, and we are humbled to represent North Carolina in this nationwide poll,” said Director and CEO Patricia Simmons in a press release. “We hope this contest helps raise awareness about our memorable guest experiences, family-friendly educational activities and the critical wildlife conservation work we are doing locally and globally.”
In addition to the Newsweek award, the zoo was also recognized in USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking No. 7 in the Best Zoo category and No. 5 for Best Zoo Membership. It marked the zoo’s second appearance in the rankings, following a No. 3 debut in 2024.
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