TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel community, today announced the top 10 aquariums and zoos in the U.S., according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080807/NETH009 )

  Top 10 U.S. Aquariums
  1. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
  2. Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, Tennessee
  3. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
  4. Ripley's Aquarium, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  5. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon
  6. Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas, Texas
  7. National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque, Iowa
  8. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois
  9. Downtown Aquarium, Denver, Colorado
  10. Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida


  Top 10 U.S. Zoos
  1. Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tennessee
  2. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona
  3. St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri
  4. Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska
  5. San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California
  6. San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, Escondido, California
  7. Miami Metrozoo, Miami, Florida
  8. Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, Indiana
  9. Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington
  10. Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, West Palm Beach, Florida

"These aquariums and zoos offer wonderful learning experiences about animals and their habitats, and truly let travelers take a walk on the wild side," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R), www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000+ hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie/), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de/), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it/), and Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es/). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .

TripAdvisor is a registered trademark of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor, LLC