Detroit Zoo

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Lonely Planet review

Opened in 1928, the Detroit Zoo was one of the first to have barless animal exhibits, developing a system of moats and other natural barriers to keep hungry lions, tigers and bears away from grandma and the kids. The Penguinarium is great fun but the Arctic Ring of Life with its 'polar bear tube', where the huge white creatures swim overhead is hard to beat.

The zoo's goal is to provide a natural habitat for its animals, who number in the thousands and include over 50 endangered and threatened species, as well as two that are extinct in the wild. Over a million people visit every year. The zoo also has a reputation for being technologically savvy, with state of the art graphical kiosks accompanying many of the lounging animals.