Maryland Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore AZA Accredited

Location: 1 Safari Place (Druid Hill Park), Baltimore, MD 21217

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (March-December), Friday-Monday only (January-February)

Admission: Check website for current pricing (includes train and carousel rides)

One of the oldest zoos in America (founded 1876) spanning 135 acres in historic Druid Hill Park. Home to over 1,500 animals representing 200 species. Features include African Journey with lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos; Penguin Coast with largest African penguin population in the US; Polar Bear Watch; and Maryland Wilderness showcasing native species. 2019 renovation added $20 million African Journey improvements with expanded elephant habitat (77,300 sq ft), giraffe crossing bridge, and lion viewing areas. Free parking. Accredited through September 2028.

National Aquarium AZA Accredited

Location: 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (Inner Harbor)

Hours: Vary by season (typically 10 AM - 5 PM); check website for current schedule

Admission: Adults $49.95, Youth (5-20) $39.95, Seniors (70+) $39.95, Under 4 free

Maryland's largest tourism attraction with 1.5 million annual visitors. Home to over 16,000 animals in 2 million gallons of water. Features Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit showcasing Chesapeake Bay ecosystems, Atlantic Coral Reef, Tropical Rainforest, Australia: Wild Extremes, and Jellies Invasion. New Harbor Wetland (2024): free 10,000 sq ft floating wetland mimicking Inner Harbor's original tidal marsh with 32,000 native plants. Continuously AZA-accredited since 1984. Advance timed tickets recommended. Discounted parking available at partner garages.

Glen Echo Park Aquarium

Location: Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD

Hours: Daily via timed entry

Admission: $10 (ages 2+)

Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center featuring live animal exhibits and marine artifacts showcasing the nation's largest estuary. Follow water's journey from rain clouds through watershed to Chesapeake Bay. Touch tank for hands-on aquatic animal experiences. Educational exhibits demonstrate what organisms are affected along the watershed journey.

Calvert Marine Museum

Location: Solomons, MD

Type: Marine Museum with Aquarium Exhibits

Public non-profit educational museum dedicated to collection, preservation, research, and interpretation of Southern Maryland's culture and natural history. Features aquarium exhibits showcasing Chesapeake Bay marine life, paleontology collections, maritime history, and estuarine biology. Focus on regional waterways and marine ecosystems.

Salisbury Zoological Park FREE Admission

Location: 755 S. Park Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804

Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)

Admission: FREE (donations appreciated), FREE parking

One of the finest small zoos in the country spanning 13 acres along the Wicomico River. Features animals from North America, South America, and Australia. Founded 1954, improved in 1970s with naturalistic enclosures. Smaller size makes it easy to navigate, especially for families with young children. Wheelchair accessible. Visit duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours. Located adjacent to city park with disc golf, playgrounds, and picnic spots.

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo

Location: 13019 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed December 24 - March 2026)

Admission: Contact for pricing; Safari ride additional

100-acre preserve (25 acres accessible) located 20 minutes north of Frederick. Home to over 450 exotic animals representing 300+ species including bears, boas, leopards, lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, parrots, and pythons. Features interactive touch and feed opportunities - more than any other animal park in the region. Optional Safari truck ride lets visitors feed large herbivores including camels, bison, ostrich, and zebra. Supported by Global Wildlife Trust. Daily educational talks featuring chinchillas, tortoises, and other animals.

Plumpton Park Zoo

Location: 1416 Telegraph Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911 (off I-95, Exit 100)

Hours: Winter 10 AM - 5 PM, Summer 9 AM - 6 PM (7 days/week, closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)

Admission: Contact (410) 658-6850 for current pricing

Over 200 exotic animals in quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. Smaller scale with up-close-and-personal exhibits perfect for younger children. Hand-feed the giraffe, see tigers playing. Favorite animals include white Bengal tiger, European brown bear, Jimmie the reticulated giraffe, African crested porcupine, Chinese silky chickens, graceful chameleon, and poison dart frogs. Features both European brown bear and black bear. One of only four zoos in US with black backed jackals. Established 1986. Picnic area available.

Second Chance Wildlife Center

Founded: 1995

Type: Wildlife Rehabilitation

Independent 501(c)3 non-profit providing skilled and compassionate emergency treatment and long-term rehabilitative care to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife. Goal: releasing healthy animals back to nature. Nearly 3,000 wild animals brought to their door annually by residents, animal services officers, and others. Professional veterinary care and species-specific treatment.

Phoenix Wildlife Center

Founded: 1992

Type: Wildlife Rehabilitation

501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit dedicated to rehabilitation and return to wild of native birds, mammals, and reptiles. Focus on education of public on wildlife issues. Professional care for injured and orphaned wildlife with goal of successful release back to natural habitats.

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary

Location: Poolesville, MD

Size: 400 acres

Admission: Guided tours available

Non-profit refuge for farm animals and wildlife relying entirely on public donations. Offers care, rehabilitation, and permanent sanctuary for neglected, abused, or abandoned farm animals. Provides protected habitat for wildlife. Guided tours showcase rescued animals and sanctuary operations. Educational programs about farm animal welfare and conservation.

Gentle Friends Farm Animal & Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Mt. Airy, MD

Type: Farm Animal & Wildlife Sanctuary

Full spectrum of wildlife rehabilitation. Call for wildlife emergencies or injured wild animals. Provides sanctuary for farm animals and professional rehabilitation services for native wildlife. Educational programs about animal welfare and conservation.

All Creatures Great and Small Wildlife Center

Location: Columbia, MD

Type: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation for birds and small mammals. Professional care for injured, orphaned, or ill wildlife with focus on successful return to natural environment. Species-specific treatment protocols for Maryland's native wildlife.

Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Davidsonville, MD

Type: All-Volunteer Wildlife Rescue

Non-profit all-volunteer organization rescuing injured or orphaned wildlife and limited number of exotics. Community-based wildlife rehabilitation serving Maryland residents. Focus on native species rehabilitation and release.

Clark's Elioak Farm

Location: Howard County, MD

Admission: $8 per person (age 1+)

Farming in Howard County since 1797. Main attraction is petting zoo where visitors interact with goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and cows. Pony rides available for children. Admission includes petting farm animals, exploring Enchanted Forest attractions and Fairy Forest, and enjoying play areas, slides, and picnic areas.

Green Meadows Petting Farm

Location: 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville, MD

Reopening: Spring 2026 (before Easter)

Hands-on experiences with 200+ animals including many babies. Unique experiences like milking a real cow and watching pig races. Unlike most petting zoos, farm provides food for free so children can feed animals to their hearts' content. Educational farm programs for schools and groups.

Baugher's Farm Petting Zoo

Location: Westminster, MD

Type: Farm Petting Zoo

Walk right into zoo and interact with friendly farm animals including donkeys, chickens, lambs, pigs, turkeys, ducks, cows, rabbits, alpacas, peacocks, emus, guinea fowl, and goats. Coin machines with animal food scattered around, plus bags of food sold in Orchard Market. Part of working farm experience.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Wetlands of International Importance

Location: 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613 (12 miles south of Cambridge)

Hours: Wildlife Drive open sunrise to sunset daily; Visitor Center 10 AM - 4 PM Tuesday-Sunday

Admission: Daily or annual pass required

Over 28,000 acres of freshwater impoundments, brackish tidal wetlands, open fields, and mixed forests on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Established 1933 as refuge for migratory birds. Contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands. One of highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles on Atlantic coast - largest breeding population on East Coast north of Florida. 250+ bird species. Home to recovered endangered species: Delmarva fox squirrel, peregrine falcon, bald eagle. 4-mile Wildlife Drive accessible by vehicle, bicycle, or foot. Features trails, elevated observation platform, photo blind. Part of Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument. Ramsar Convention designated "Wetlands of International Importance."

Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: 11704 Fenno Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Type: State Wildlife Sanctuary

Only wildlife sanctuary operated by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Wintering ground for several thousand Canada geese - largest concentration on western shore of Chesapeake Bay. Excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year. Trails and observation areas for nature photography.

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Location: Laurel, MD

Type: Federal Research & Wildlife Facility

USGS research center dedicated to wildlife science and conservation. Visitor center offers educational programs about wildlife research, migratory birds, and conservation biology. Trails and exhibits showcase local ecosystems and wildlife. Important research facility for endangered species recovery programs.

The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens

Location: Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD

Season: April 10 - September 21, 2025

Hours: April-June & Sept: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM; July-Aug: Mon-Fri 10 AM - 1 PM, Weekends 10 AM - 4 PM

Admission: Ages 13+ $14, Ages 3-12 $9, Under 3 free (advance purchase recommended)

Dazzling display of live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa, and Asia. Hundreds of butterflies soar among colorful flowers in South Conservatory House. Over 150 butterfly species and 2,600 moth species found in Maryland. Common species include eastern tiger swallowtails, monarchs, silver spotted skippers, variegated fritillaries, painted ladies, common buckeyes, and spicebush swallowtails. Trained staff highlight metamorphosis, ecosystem roles, and garden habitats for butterflies. Tickets must be purchased online. Strollers, tripods, large bags not permitted. Conservatory warmer and more humid than outside - stay hydrated.