Zoos and Aquariums in Detroit

By Frank Herbert


The first Detroit city zoo started as the result of a bad business decision. A traveling circus went bankrupt while visiting the city in 1883 and the deserted animals were acquired for the short lived Detroit Zoological Gardens. In the years since, the city has become home to several top-flight zoos in Detroit, thanks partly to money spent in the 1960s and 1970s by the then-thriving car manufacturing industry. Here is a glance at the top zoos in Detroit.

Detroit Zoo

While technically found just outside of the city limits, this is the most visited and best-known Detroit zoo. Founded in 1925, the zoo includes around 1,200 animals, one or two big environment parks and an adjacent city-owned golfing course. Several of the zoo original buildings have been included on the National Landmark Preservation list.

Potter Park Zoo

Located in nearby Lansing, Mich, this zoo has over 500 animals representing more than 160 different species. The zoo devotes a good deal of energy to education, and it has an extensive summer camp programme for kids of all ages.

Cranbrook Institute Of Science

More than 200,000 folks a year visit the Cranbrook Institue, making it one of the most frantic attractions in the town. It encompasses a large planetarium, nature center and many animal exhibits. The Institute is a popular destination for school-age children, and on most days the buildings filled with children visiting as a part of an all-day school trip.

Detroit Science Center

While it calls itself a science center, this institution incorporates a planetarium, live animal exhibits, intensive interactive projects for kids and a huge IMAX theater. The center has struggled financially in recent years, but it remains a foundation stone of the Detroit science and nature scene.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

The museum is devoted to Detroit's long maritime history on the Great Lakes and it covers everything from a look at naval vessels to a few Detroit aquarium displays designed to showcase some of Michigan's native wildlife. Other exhibits include a full size bridge from a vintage ship and plenty of boat models.




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