"Home to roughly 6,000 animals across 600 species and welcoming over two million visitors annually, this popular zoo supports both global conservation initiatives and local recovery projects like efforts to save the Houston toad. Paid encounters let guests bathe elephants, feed animals at the Children’s Farm Zoo, and get close to sea lions, gorillas, penguins, and anteaters while learning about their care." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines