Detroit Zoo

A visit to Detroit Zoo makes for a fantastic family day out. Its 50 hectares is home to 250 species from all over the world, including white rhinos, grizzly bears and the rare Amur tiger.

As you enter the zoo, the first exhibit you'll come across is the delightful Penguinarium, where king, rock hopper and macaroni penguins frolic in and out of the water. There are more winged creatures on display in the nearby butterfly garden and free-flight aviary. Amphibiville is a fascinating exhibit for anyone with an interest in frogs and toads, and serpent enthusiasts and lizard-lovers will get a kick out of the Museum of Living Reptiles.

Further into the complex, you'll find yourself in the midst of an Asian Forest. Keep an eye out for the red pandas and elusive Amur tiger – you won't miss the noisy macaques. Just next door is the African Forest exhibit. This faithful replica of a tropical rainforest is home to drills, chimpanzees and the majestic western lowland gorilla, as well as spoonbills and other small forest animals.

Forest gives way to savannah as you move into the African Grasslands, where you'll encounter a whole host of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, warthogs, aardvarks and white rhinos. The zoo's splendid lions, Simba and his female companions Bikira and Erin, are a must-see. Then it's just a short stroll to the other side of the world, where the no-barriers Australian Outback exhibit lets kids (and grown-ups) get up-close with wallabies and the iconic red kangaroo.

Finally, head to the Arctic Ring of Life exhibition for what is, for many visitors, the main attraction: the largest polar bear exhibit in the US. A transparent 21-metre tunnel under the enclosure gives you a unique vantage point from which to watch the zoo's three bears as they swim. Young thrill-seekers will love the Wild Adventure Ride and the zoo carousel. There's fun to be had indoors too, with a 4-D cinema and Wildlife Interpretive Gallery.

Detroit Zoo is located 21 kilometres north of the city centre and is serviced by the Detroit SMART bus. There is also reasonably-priced on-site parking. The zoo is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving.