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STL Zoo voted USA's "Best Free Attraction"

It’s official, the St. Louis Zoo is the best free attraction in the United States!

<p>Hippo at St. Louis Zoo</p>

ST. LOUIS – It’s official, the St. Louis Zoo is the best free attraction in the United States!

The hometown favorite was voted number one in the nation by the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Program, and was the only zoo selected for consideration.

Related - STL Pride: VIP access to the St. Louis Zoo

“We thank people throughout the nation and our region for voting for the Zoo and making this possible,” said Jeffrey P. Bonner, Ph.D., Dana Brown President and CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. “We very much appreciate the support of our visitors and the hundreds of thousands who visit our social media sites regularly."

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Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs came in at number two, followed by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama, the Alamo, Central Park, the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, Balboa Park in San Diego, the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, and the Bellagio Conservatory and Fountains in Las Vegas.

Photos: Places the STL Zoo beat for "Best Free Attraction"

“This honor was also made possible by the strong support of the taxpayers of St. Louis city and County, our generous donors, members, volunteers and employees. They make the Saint Louis Zoo great,” Bonner said in a statement. “This is a win for the entire St. Louis region and its residents and civic leaders who have long supported and appreciated St. Louis’ world-class FREE zoo.”

Admission to our beloved Zoo has been free since its founding in 1910, but not everything is completely free. Recently, Show Me St. Louis showed us some behind the scenes tours available that take you off the beaten path and get you up-close and personal with the animals.

Congratulations to the St. Louis Zoo!

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