#3 - Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo was founded in 1888, making it the first zoological park in the Southwest. It covers 95 developed acres, therefore it is the largest zoo in Texas. The huge giraffe sculpture in the entrance stands 67.5 feet tall. The Dallas Zoo is well-known for the Lacerte Family children's Zoo, the Wilds of Africa exhibit, and the award-winning Jake L. Hamon gorilla Conservation Research Center. Other exhibits include the Pierre A. Fontaine Bird and Reptile Building. Dallas is one of the few zoos in the country that exhibits tuatara, lizardlike reptile, and the only American zoo to display Perentie monitors. The Dallas Zoo's mission is to make your visit are exciting as possible. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to learn about interesting wildlife that surrounds us.