Where are the best zoos and spots for mini golf? Vote now
Springtime is nature’s grand revival, and we love to celebrate the season by getting outdoors. From exhilarating encounters with wildlife at zoos and safari parks to the serene beauty of botanical gardens and national wildlife refuges, spring brings a sense of renewal. Add a dash of adventure with a visit to a dude ranch or a playful round of mini golf, and you have the perfect recipe for fun.
In our search to find the best spots to enjoy the season, we invited a panel of experts to nominate their top picks across nine categories, and now we need your help to decide the winners.
You can vote once per day, per category until voting closes on Monday, March 10 at noon ET.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens help educate about plant life in addition to conserving species — Photo courtesy of traveler1116 / E+
From desert climates to Japanese gardens, these 20 stunning venues — nominated by an expert panel as the best botanical gardens in the U.S. — showcase vast collections of plant life, helping to promote and conserve the plant diversity of our planet.
Which botanical garden would you most like to visit?
Best Dude Ranch
Reconnect with nature on a dude ranch vacation — Photo courtesy of FluxFactory / E+
Dating back to the late 19th century, dude ranches offer a vacation experience unlike any other. Guests are invited to escape to the country, discover ranch life, and bask in the natural scenery around them. At these 20 dude ranches nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S., visitors enjoy such activities as horseback riding, fishing, cattle pushing, and campfires, in addition to comfy accommodations and delicious meals.
Which dude ranch would you most like to saddle up at?
Best Mini Golf
Putt around these 20 awesome spots for mini golf — Photo courtesy of kali9 / E+
Mini golf offers a delightful mix of fun and challenge, making it a great activity for all ages. These 20 places for putt-putt — nominated by a panel of experts as the best in the U.S. — offer creative and interesting course designs (often built around a fun theme) and come complete with entertaining obstacles.
Which mini-golf spot do you think scores a hole-in-one?
Best National Wildlife Refuge
Observe all sorts of animals in their natural habitats at these 20 wildlife refuges — Photo courtesy of Donyanedomam / iStock via Getty Images Plus
The U.S. National Wildlife Refuge system protects millions of acres of land and water habitat from coast to coast, with at least one refuge in every state. The 571 refuges in the system, as well as another 38 wetland management districts, protect more than 220 species of mammal, 700 species of birds, over 1,000 species of fish, and 250 reptile and amphibian species. And more than 380 endangered or threatened plants and animals find sanctuary in these special places.
Our panel of experts has nominated 20 protected areas for Best National Wildlife Refuge, and now it’s your turn to vote. Which one is your top pick?
Vote: Best National Wildlife Refuge »
Best Plant Nursery
Pick up a new plant or two at these plant nurseries — Photo courtesy of FG Trade / E+
Going to a great plant nursery or garden center is like stepping into a lush, green paradise — a world filled with vibrant blooms and thriving greenery. At these 20 plant nurseries nominated by a panel of experts as the best in the U.S., you can explore a diverse array of plants, gather inspiration for your garden, and find the perfect additions to bring life to your space. Not to mention, they each have knowledgeable staff at the ready to help you pick the perfect items.
Which plant nursery do you think is best?
Best Safari Park
Learn about animals â and even interact with them â at safari parks — Photo courtesy of shalamov / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Safari and wildlife parks allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals. These 20 safari parks — nominated by an expert panel as the best in the country — aim to educate visitors about the animals and the threats their natural populations face, as well as encourage conservation efforts.
Which safari park would you most like to explore?
Best Zoo
A visit to the zoo is a fun and educational outing for children and adults alike — Photo courtesy of kali9 / iStock via Getty Images Plus
The United States is home to hundreds of zoological parks, including more than 200 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Short of heading out into the world’s wild places, nothing beats a visit to the zoo to foster an appreciation for the striking animal diversity of our planet.
A panel of experts has nominated their top 20 picks for the best zoos in the United States — facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment, while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors. Now, it’s your turn to decide the winners.
Which zoo do you think is best?
Best Zoo Exhibit
These zoo exhibits get top marks for their innovation — Photo courtesy of kali9 / E+
The best zoo exhibits not only educate but also engage visitors by transporting them to another place, whether it be the foothills of the Himalayas, a Florida swamp, or the Australian outback.
But which zoo exhibits are the most impressive, immersive, and informative in the country? We asked a panel of experts to nominate their top picks, and now we need you to decide the winners. Each of these 20 exhibits is located within a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and places an emphasis on the animals’ habitats and enrichment, as well as education for visitors.
Which zoo exhibit gets your vote?
Best Zoo Membership
Help support your favorite zoo (and enjoy exclusive perks) with these zoo memberships — Photo courtesy of galitskaya / iStock via Getty Images Plus
A zoo membership offers a world of animal adventures and exclusive perks. Members at these 20 zoos — nominated by an expert panel as the best for memberships in the U.S. — can return to the zoo again and again to revisit their favorite exhibits and enjoy special events. Plus, supporting conservation efforts and educational programs makes it a rewarding experience for all.
Which zoo membership do you think is best?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, March 19.
