Kansas City Zoo has been in operation since the turn of the 20th century. From its humble beginnings with just one building, it has grown to cover more than 200 acres (80 hectares) and hold over 1,000 animals. The park is separated into habitat types that represent Australia, Asia, the Tropics and the African Plains.

At the entrance you’ll be greeted by the zoo’s famous polar bear, Nikita, as well as the playful North American river otters. Explore the Tiger Trail to the left of the main entrance, then wander further into the park for a look at the snake enclosures. Next door the Australian area holds that country’s most iconic animals: kangaroos, wallabies and emus.

If you’re visiting with children, head over to the KidZone, where the focus is on education. The Tropics area is an indoor rainforest that holds monkeys, lemurs and birds that move about amongst the tropical plants. The air-conditioned Discovery Barn provides welcome relief for families during the summer heat, and has a playground and climbing area for children.

After all that, you’ve still only seen half of the park the African Plains stretches out across the rest of the space, occupying 100 acres (40 hectares). Jump on the train for a short ride across the park or walk it in your own time. The African area is widely regarded as one of the best of its kind in America. Lions roam the plains, while elephants, rhinos and zebras go about their lives in separate areas. Join the boat ride across the lake or enjoy a bird’s-eye view on the Sky Safari.

The Kansas City Zoo is located in Swope Park, about a 15-minute drive south from the centre of town. Parking is free. A Metro bus from downtown stops at the zoo entrance every day of the week. The zoo is open year-round. Rides within the zoo cost a small additional fee.