I don’t think I ever thought of Pennsylvania as my first choice to see zoos and aquariums.
It does have 10 different places where you can go to see animals up close though.
Each one offers quite a variety of land and sea animal viewing.
Zoos & Aquariums in Pennsylvania
1. Philadelphia Zoo
You’ll see large cats, giraffes, hippos, at least one polar bear, zebras, tigers, and more at the Philadelphia Zoo.
They call this the Zoo360 tour because you can see animals all around you while on it.
I like that this zoo also features a 42-acre Victorian garden.
It shows you that nature is more than just about animals.
However, that doesn’t disqualify the presence of about 1300 animals on site.
They even provide presentations on endangered creatures.
Aside from animals, the Philadelphia Zoo has its rope courses and scavenger hunts that keep visitors of all ages busy.
Children can also participate in the “Nature Blazer” tour, which involves learning how to use a smart compass and answering trivia questions via a mobile app.
Zoo conservation efforts include saving the Rodrigues Fruit Bat, Golden Lion Tamarins, and more.
They also sponsor the New Nature Foundation, which focuses on more than 350 birds, the antelope, elephants, chimpanzees, and more.
This effort extends to Uganda, where the Philadelphia Zoo has a presence.
2. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium offers an impressive range of exhibits featuring both land and water animals.
Witness the cheetah, polar bear, flamingo, Kunekune Pig, Masai Giraffe, and tiger or rhino, for instance.
The Pittsburgh Zoo spans over 77 acres.
The trail you take starts with the Forest Passage, the African Savanna, and the Jungle.
By the way, you can also see some crocodiles, leopards, hippos, and more onsite.
Watch some of your beloved sea creatures take a dive into the deep.
Other animals may turn to do a double-take when spotting you while roaming the grasslands.
For me, the animal experiences I would indulge in here would be enough.
However, the zoo also hosts events like the “Sip & Swirl.”
You can enjoy area wines while watching bright-colored fish swim around in a huge tank.
3. Erie Zoo
If you see Erie Zoo listed as “temporarily closed,” don’t worry.
It’s set to open in March 2023.
Many zoos do this because it’s usually too cold for most people to come to visit in January and February.
The Erie Zoo in Erie, Pennsylvania was founded in 1924.
Its 15-acre land provides wild open spaces for at least one leopard and an orangutan and some black-footed penguins.
They plan to expand these wild open spaces, which would leave more room for other animals.
It could become a more spacious home for giraffes, bears, or red pandas, for instance.
Other animals you can see at the Erie Zoo include the lion, chimpanzee, and zebras, lynx, and more.
This animal center also houses the “Frog Room,” which features 11 different amphibian species.
Featured birds here include the Blue and Gold Macaws and about a half-dozen others, including the domestic chicken and Royal Palm Turkey.
Its insect and arachnid exhibit has giant cockroaches, tarantulas, and scorpions in it – it should be interesting to see.
I think the Erie Zoo offers a variety of animals.
They also have activities that keep children occupied, such as rides, food places, games, and educational tours.
4. Elmwood Park Zoo
The Elmwood Park Zoo located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, opened to the public in 1924.
It started with only a handful of white-tailed deer on a piece of private property.
New animals added include raccoons, rabbits, bears, and monkeys.
I am happy to know that they transitioned from keeping animals in cages to allowing them to roam in more natural-looking spaces.
Most of the animals here originated from North and South America over the decades.
The Elmwood Park Zoo went through many changes, including the addition of a Discovery Center in 2002.
That’s where many of the educational programs are held.
The zoo reportedly takes in 500,000 visitors every year as of 2023.
They play a part in encouraging conservation within the state.
5. ZooAmerica
ZooAmerica is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, having first operated in the early 1900s.
The famous Mr. Hershey contributed 12 prairie dogs acquired from a family who could no longer care for them.
This zoo experienced many ups and downs, including closure during World War II.
It took a few decades for it to recover from its decline before beginning revitalization of it in 1975.
By 1978, the zoo had at least 200 animals, which were categorized into about 70 species.
This addition included creatures from all over North America.
The zoo now has themed animal regions, such as the Southern Swamps.
Here, you’ll find a Pygmy Rattlesnake, an Alligator Snapping Turtle, and an American Alligator.
Birds here include the Barred Owl and the Roseate Spoonbill.
A long, thin fish called the Florida Gar also resides in this swampy, wetland exhibit.
Of all the areas of the zoo, I probably would enjoy this one the most.
Wetland areas are my favorite.
A stark contrast to the wetland zoo region would be the Big Sky Country exhibit.
It has pronghorns, elks, prairie dogs, and at least one mountain lion.
Of course, zoo animals come and go.
They might pass away or move to another location, but the examples I mention demonstrate ZooAmerica’s diversity.
6. LeHigh Valley Zoo
General Harry C. Trexler first founded The LeHigh Valley Zoo located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania in 1906.
It plays a key role in preserving the American bison, which was on the brink of extinction during the 19th century.
The Valley Zoo also focuses on about 22 other species included in the Species Survival Plan Program (SSP).
Animals cared for include the Spotted Turtle, African Penguin, and Mexican Gray Wolf.
The zoo also has a Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Center, and you can watch penguins being fed.
There’s also an ongoing wolf-feeding routine you can watch if you arrive at the right time.
It’s hard for me to keep up with all that this zoo does to take care of its animals.
They also provide outreach and education to interested adults and children of all ages.
7. Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland opened in 1964 and offers a unique, reptile educational program in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
The facility houses over 40 species of reptiles from around the world, including snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, and alligators.
You also see some tiny frogs, geckos, and more.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland hosts what I call “unique” events, such as Reading With Reptiles.
That’s not something I would have thought of doing.
It’s a new way to enjoy interactive story time with children.
They also have a “Creature Feature” exhibit that changes about once a month.
In January 2023, the Red Kangaroo made the featured list in the “Kangaroos, Sloths, and Lemurs–Oh My!” presentation.
In February, it will be the Two-Toed Sloth.
In March, it will be the Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur.
You never know what you will see here when, so make sure you stay in touch with the zoo to learn what’s happening when you plan to arrive.
8. Living Treasures Wild Animal Park
Living Treasures Wild Animal Park has two locations.
You’ll find one in New Castle and the other in Joan Mills.
In New Castle, you can interact with more than 400 animals of 70 different species.
For instance, you can hold a baby kangaroo, pet a kangaroo, play with goats, or ride a camel.
In Joan Mills (near Altoona), you can come up close to many of the 300 different animals they have.
The creatures residing here make up about 50 different species.
Feed farm animals right from your hand, or view large wildcats from glass-front exhibits.
Either way, the idea is to make you feel as connected with each creature as you safely can.
Living Treasures would suit you if you want to be allowed to take pictures.
They welcome this here, so you can remember your time here with them.
9. Claws ‘N’ Paws
Pet deer and lambs, feed a giraffe, and hang out with turtles at the Claws ‘N’ Paws zoo in Lake Ariel, PA.
Other popular activities include the “Zoo-in-the-Woods!” exhibit, which sends you to a place where you can feel close to the creatures onsite.
Other animals to see here include Alpacas, African Lions, and the American Alligator.
There are also Peta Monkeys, a Black Bear and Camel, a Clawed Otter, and more.
In addition, they have a bright red and deep blue pair of Macaw birds here and some white wolves.
If you’re into pythons, there’s a long one here at Claws ‘N’ Paws.
I might not mind looking at them but never touching them, but everyone is different.
I personally would want to go see the leopard and the bobcat.
Cougars and jaguars are some cool cats to look at too.
I wish these were the kinds of cats we could have as pets.
It’s too bad.
It appears to be a somewhat small zoo but still has quite a variety of animals.
There are at least 300 creatures representing about 120 species.
10. Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
When I first heard the name of this zoo, “Electric City,” I thought that it didn’t sound that natural.
However, I thought it sounded like fun.
It actually does feature fish, sea stars, corals, and other underwater creatures that emit bright colors though.
It’s real, not fake.
You can view the rainbow shades, and you can watch how the stingrays interact with each other.
The shark or the octopus might also swim by, but don’t worry.
You’re protected by glass aquarium shields.
In the Electric City Reptile Den, you will see tortoises, crocodilians, snakes, and lizards.
Some of the most colorful amphibian frogs, such as the bright green one with orange eyes, also live here.
Another frog has a black and yellow skin pattern on its upper side.
It makes me realize that the only frog-shaped creatures I ever saw were toads – nothing as colorful as these.
I say it’s an ideal place for a school field trip or other group events, and those often take place here.
10 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Pennsylvania – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Zoo | 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA |
| Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium | 7370 Baker St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA |
| Erie Zoo | 423 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508, United States |
| Elmwood Park Zoo | 1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PA 19401, United States |
| ZooAmerica | 201 Park Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA |
| LeHigh Valley Zoo | 5150 Game Preserve Rd, Schnecksville, PA 18078, USA |
| Clyde Peeling's Reptiland | 18628 US-15, Allenwood, PA 17810, USA |
| Living Treasures Wild Animal Park | 268 Fox Rd, New Castle, PA 16101, United States |
| Claws ‘N’ Paws | 1475 Ledgedale Rd, Lake Ariel, PA 18436, United States |
| Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den | 300 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, USA |
Pennsylvania Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Pennsylvania Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aquariums does Pennsylvania have?
It has only two, Electric City and the one that’s a part of the Pittsburgh Zoo.
You can witness more water creatures, however, if you go to marshy, swampy sections of state parks.
Water parks are another alternative.
What is the largest Pennsylvania zoo?
The Pittsburgh Zoo and its attached aquarium are the largest.
It has more than 4,000 animals.
Do alligators live in PA zoos?
They do live in some of the PA zoos.
It’s becoming a popular attraction as the gators move north from Florida.
Are aquariums saltwater or freshwater in PA?
They’re mostly saltwater aquariums.
The environments that these animals live in have been engineered to accommodate their preferred habitat.
