Penguin Awareness Day is Sunday, January 20. As a way of celebrating, we’ve taken a look back at our travels to determine the top 5 penguin exhibits. This category is tricky, as there are several different types of penguins, and each are displayed differently. We gave extra credit to zoos with multiple types of penguins.
Top 5 Exhibits
5. Brookfield Zoo – The penguin exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo includes much much more than just penguins. To enter the exhibit (which doesn’t allow strollers) you journey through a series of rooms with wall-size aquariums of fish, small tropical fish tanks, and a tide pool that rushes in on intervals. Then you walk into an open area where the penguins visible on water and land.
4. Cincinnati Zoo – The Cincinnati Zoo has an annual tradition called the “Penguin March” in the winter. On select days, the zoo will escort the King Penguins through the zoo, with visitors standing on both sides of the path, simulating a parade. We haven’t yet had the chance to witness this, but hope to soon. Outside of that, their exhibit does hold multiple types of penguins, and also has a wide viewing area of the King Penguins.
3. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo – Inside the aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is the Emperor Penguin exhibit. This exhibit is impressive, with a lifelike background (and snow) for the penguins. While this exhibit is impressive, it doesn’t stand out on a visit to Henry Doorly because of how great the rest of the zoo is! On our next visit, we’ll be sure to spend time analyzing this exhibit in comparison to our top two.
2. St. Louis Zoo – This exhibit held the number 1 position on this list for almost a year, and was only recently passed up. We first visited this zoo in 2015 when this exhibit was pretty new, and we waited in line for almost a half hour to get into it. You start off by viewing penguins outside, then are shuffled inside at increments where the temperature is stable at around 48 degrees. We went on a 90+ degree day, so this was quite the change! You can maneuver through the exhibit to see different types of penguins, with the highlight being the Emperor Penguins! Puffins are also included, which are rarely found in U.S. zoos. This exhibit is a must-see when you are in the St. Louis area.
- Detroit Zoo – The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is absolutely spectacular. After walking in, you can immediately see multiple types of penguins in the large exhibit. Then, you head downstairs through a simulated ship. All around you, the walls simulate a time of day that the ship would be cruising through the waters. You might have a nice sunny experience, a calm night sky, or a rocky storm! While you walk down the ramp, “portholes” show you pictures of sea creatures that you might see in the water. Once arriving on the ground floor, you walk through a tunnel where, if you come during feeding time, the penguins will swim very close to the glass. Finally, before heading back upstairs, you can view the penguins through a large glass viewing wall. This is altogether an amazing exhibit!
*Special Note – the Polk Penguin Conversation center is currently closed due to necessary repairs.
Honorable Mention:
Milwaukee Zoo – the African Penguin exhibit isn’t altogether noteworthy, but is a completely outdoor exhibit that you see the minute you walk into the zoo after entry. The zoo has more penguins in their bird building.
Minnesota Zoo – the penguin exhibit is in the main entrance building, so it’s easy to hop over and visit the penguins without even leaving the building!
John Ball Zoo – the penguin building is in the middle of the zoo, and is quite the attraction! There is also a tidal wave on a timer that is fun to visit in this building.
Thank you for reading about our top 5 penguin exhibits! Be sure to check out our list of available penguin encounters.
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