Most of our Zoo vs Zoo articles take a look at zoos in the same geographical region, giving you an opportunity to compare them. Then you can decide which zoo to visit. We’ve done this with large zoos and small zoos. This zoo comparison is a little different. We take a look at two zoos that are similar in size, but not exactly close in geography. This Small Midwestern Zoo Comparison will give you a chance to evaluate one in case you’ve visited the other. The NEW Zoo in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan are about six and a half hours apart. However, they are each about three and half hours from Chicago. So if you’re considering a weekend getaway to Pure Michigan or Door County in Wisconsin, this comparison might show you which one has the better zoo!
Size: These two zoos are pretty comparable in size. The NEW Zoo has a Wisconsin side, with animals native to the Midwest, as well as an African side, with lions, giraffes, and penguins. The Potter Park Zoo I would say has more animals. It also has larger animals, such as rhinos, lions, and tigers. Advantage: Potter Park Zoo
Indoor Exhibits: Neither zoo has much by way of an indoor exhibit. The NEW Zoo has several areas with coverings where you can view the animals. These include the tortoise house, the penguins, the albino alligator, and the Wisconsin section. The tortoise house is the most notable exhibit in this category. Potter Park Zoo has a covered viewing area by the otters and penguins, but not many others outside of that. Advantage: NEW Zoo
Animal Interactions: Our trip to the NEW Zoo marked the first time we had ever fed penguins. This is offered Memorial Day thru labor Day, and only costs $10/person. This encounter allowed us to go behind the scenes and into the exhibit, to toss fish to their penguins. They also offer giraffe feedings and have a farm with goats. Potter Park Zoo offers pony and camel rides, and also has a petting zoo with goats. We were able to go behind the scenes with zoo staff and meet Doppsee the rhino, who was pregnant. This was very cool. Advantage: NEW Zoo
Habitats: The best habitats at the NEW Zoo are their prairies and native habitats. In the middle of the zoo when you cross over from Africa to Wisconsin, they have a large pasture for bison and elk. The elk were grazing in the water during our visit. The Wisconsin section was wooded, and was highlighted by a boardwalk way in the back with a moose underneath. The Potter Park Zoo has a really cool otter exhibit. It has a large viewing area, as well as streams for the otters to swim in. The other enclosures are good size, but don’t have as many natural surroundings built in as their counterpart in Wisconsin. Advantage: NEW Zoo
Wow Factor: In wow factor we typically talk about what you see upon immediate entrance. At the NEW zoo, you see penguins! It’s a pretty cool opening exhibit. The lions and giraffes are also nearby. At Potter Park Zoo, the arctic fox are nearby the entrance, as are the otters. The otter exhibit is one of the highlights of the zoo. Other highlights include some lesser seen animals like the anteaters and binturong (bearcats). The Potter Park Zoo also has more larger animals. Advantage: Potter Park Zoo
Kids Play area: The NEW Zoo has multiple playgrounds for children. One is located in Africa, with another near the Wisconsin section. There is also a playground across the street from the zoo by the visitor parking lot. The NEW Zoo also has an adventure park included, with a ZIP Line and climbing course. The Potter Park Zoo has a small train and a small nature play area. Advantage: NEW Zoo
Price: The NEW Zoo is $9 for adults and $6 for kids. The Potter Park Zoo is $12 for adults and $5 for kids. Advantage: NEW Zoo
Overall: The result is a 5-2 victory for the NEW Zoo in Green Bay. The NEW Zoo comes in at 37th in our rankings, with the Potter Park Zoo right behind them at 38th.
Thanks for reading our Small Midwestern Zoo Comparison, featuring zoos in Green Bay and Lansing.
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