8 Incredible Animal Experiences
From adorable zoo babies to a national aviary to a historic hotel with VIP ducks, these attractions offer a way to interact with and learn about all kinds of creatures.
![](https://glp.imgix.net/media/rqspogko/west-virginia-wildlife-center.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
In 1923, the state of West Virginia founded the French Creek Game Farm about 12 miles south of Buckhannon. The facility, which started as a place to raise and reintroduce decreasing populations of wild game, today serves as a 330-acre zoological park that educates visitors about the state’s native wildlife. From there, continue your animal encounters with visits to great zoos, an aquarium in the mountains and a legendary hotel where ducks swim in the lobby all day long.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
![Twin baby elephants at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York (photo courtesy of Rosamond Gifford Zoo) Twin baby elephants at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York (photo courtesy of Rosamond Gifford Zoo)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/wgll4gzm/ny-gifford-zoo-twin-elephants.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
There is something for every family to enjoy at this zoo in Syracuse, New York, from summer festivals to the recent addition of twin baby elephants.
The Elephant Discovery Center
![The Elephant Discovery Center in Hohenwald Tennessee (courtesy of The Elephant Sanctuary) The Elephant Discovery Center in Hohenwald Tennessee (courtesy of The Elephant Sanctuary)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/0x4jqi5x/tn-elephant-discovery-center.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
This destination in Hohenwald, Tennessee, provides an engaging, hands-on learning experience for kids and grownups.
Bird Kingdom
![Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, Ontario (photo courtesy of destination) Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, Ontario (photo courtesy of destination)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/fboeojge/on-niagara-falls-family-bird-kingdom.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
Home to more than 100 species of birds as well as nonflying animals, this Niagara Falls, Ontario, destination is open daily for self-guided tours.
Potawatomi Zoo
![Child looking at red panda at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana (photo courtesy of Potawatomi Zoo) Child looking at red panda at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana (photo courtesy of Potawatomi Zoo)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/wzwhr25q/potawatomi-zoo_submit.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
See the more than 400 animals that reside at this 23-acre nonprofit zoo in South Bend, Indiana, that offers opportunities for incredible up-close experiences.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
![Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination) Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (photo courtesy of destination)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/swzfghgf/tn-gatlinburg-family-fun-ripleys-aquarium.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
This Gatlinburg, Tennessee, favorite is home to more than 100,000 exotic sea creatures representing 350 different species.
National Aviary
![Three African penguins swimming at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (photo by Mike Faix) Three African penguins swimming at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (photo by Mike Faix)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/zhmdhl3a/ff-pa-national-aviary_three-african-penguins-swimming_credit-mike-faix.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
Over 500 birds, many unique and endangered, live in this expansive aviary in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the only independent, indoor zoo dedicated to birds in the nation.
The Peabody
![Families at the duck parade at The Peabody hotel in Memphis, Tennessee (photo courtesy of Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau) Families at the duck parade at The Peabody hotel in Memphis, Tennessee (photo courtesy of Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/0cabuu4z/tn-peabody-duck-march.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
This legendary hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, rolls out the red carpet each morning for a marching parade of ducks.
West Virginia Wildlife Center
![Fisher animal at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek, West Virginia (photo courtesy of West Virginia Wildlife Center) Fisher animal at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek, West Virginia (photo courtesy of West Virginia Wildlife Center)](https://glp.imgix.net/media/rqspogko/west-virginia-wildlife-center.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress,format)
Lean about the native fauna of the mountain state at this 330-acre French Creek, West Virginia, destination that is home to over 30 species of animal.
Story:
Kelly Powell
Issue:
Weekend Guides