Take a Walk on the Wild Side at America’s Top 10 Zoos

Looking for a fun activity for your summer trip? Have a free weekend with no plans? How about visiting a zoo! Today at TripAdvisor, we announced our list of the top 10 zoos in the United States, according to the TripAdvisor Popularity Index. These zoos offer travelers and animal aficionados of all ages the chance to experience an array of scales and tails around the country, including:

TripAdvisor Traveler Photo of The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden

1. Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha’s famous zoo boasts the Desert Dome – the largest indoor desert in the world, which spans 84,000 square feet and is home to a variety of vegetation and a colony of critters. Travelers can also take in the Lied Jungle, a rainforest setting featuring cascading waterfalls and monkeys jumping from tree to tree.

2. St. Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri
Home to more than 650 animals, this popular Midwest zoo features creatures of all kinds. Travelers can immerse themselves in the ten-acre River’s Edge exhibit, a naturalistic habitat featuring roaming hyenas, hippos, elephants, and more. Feathered friends-galore can be spotted at the Penguin and Puffin Coast, while Bear Bluffs boasts some less cuddly beasts, such as Grizzlies, Andeans and Sloth bears.

3. Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Situated on the southern Jersey Shore, this wildlife sanctuary showcases more than 250 species of animals. Travelers can acquaint themselves with a bevy of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and furry friends – and, when not gawking at quadrupeds, can wander through one of the lush nature trails, or hop on the train and carousel rides.

4. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, Columbia, South Carolina
From African Plains to Lemur Island, this attraction’s exhibits let travelers get up close to more than 2,000 animals and 350 species. Giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roam across a vast expanse resembling the African savanna, while wallabies and kangaroos amble around an interactive walk-through area.

5. Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tennessee
In the midst of Memphis, travelers can connect with wildlife in an array of exciting settings, including Cat Country, Primate Canyon, and Crocodile Cove. Those wishing to learn more about the zoo’s remarkable residents can also take in one of the daily shows, which star a lineup of cuddly cast mates.

6. San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California
Set across 100 acres of sun-drenched SoCal soil, this zoo is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered residents, including giant panda bears, as well as an exotic collection of flora and fauna. Animal lovers can even sleep over at this wildlife kingdom, and enjoy an after-hours stroll through the grounds, before retiring to their tents.

7. Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas
This family-friendly attraction lets visitors come face-to-face with exciting species from across the globe. Travelers can visit Malaysian tapirs in the Asian forest, see penguins at play in the Cessna Penguin Cove, or discover the Children’s Farm, where dozens of domestic breeds dwell.

8. Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, Florida
Built by a community of nature enthusiasts, this sanctuary in the sun showcases several natural habitats, including “Wild Florida”. In this exhibit, travelers can feed white-tailed deer or climb into a kayak for a guided tour through acres of wetlands and their denizens.

9. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Colorado
This elevated establishment mirrors the natural habitats of more than 800 animals. Travelers can view wildlife from across the globe, including giraffes and meerkats in the African Rift Valley and grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. Animal gazers can also soar like a bird and enjoy panoramic views of the mountains in an open-air chairlift ride.

10. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana
At this zoo in the Big Easy, travelers can enjoy a parade of spots, stripes, and scales. Activities at this swamp-side attraction include bug tosses and “Creature Features”, during which patrons can pose for a picture with a critter and learn fascinating facts. Warm-blooded travelers can chill out at the Cool Zoo, a water park that boasts an alligator water slide and water-spitting snakes.

Are you planning a zoo outing this year? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

NEW from TripAdvisor City Guides + Win $250 Gift Card!

With its convenient offline usability (no roaming charges!), GPS technology, and interactive walking tours, the TripAdvisor City Guides mobile app is already the best way to plan travel before and during a trip. But today, we’re kicking things up a notch…

Starting today, City Guides app users will have access to 30 brand new city guides, plus three new useful features. Users can now view local transit maps, which is oh-so-convenient for fans of public transportation. In addition, our travel experts have written up custom itinerary ideas based on popular travel themes, like “off the beaten path,” or “foodie destinations,” or “traveling with family.”

The 30 new City Guides – coupled with our existing 20 – brings our portfolio total to 50 global destinations, so you have an even greater chance of getting a FREE travel guide for your next adventure. Click here to see all the details in our press release.

Plus, to celebrate the apps’ awesome updates, we’re launching a Twitter ReTweet sweepstakes! For the chance to win a TripAdvisor prize pack complete with a $250 American Express gift card to use toward purchasing your favorite mobile device, follow TripAdvisor (@TripAdvisor) on Twitter, and Retweet the following message once you see it posted on our Twitter feed:

TripAdvisor launches #30NewCityGuides! Get your free app & RT for a chance to win a $250 Amex gift card. Details: http://tripadv.sr/JtTDvm

Be sure to include the hashtag #30NewCityGuides!

One winner will be selected at random to win the prize pack. The winner will be announced on Twitter by 6 p.m. EST on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 and will need to respond via direct message to claim their prize. Full sweepstakes rules can be found below.

Good luck and Happy Travels!

     

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Official Rules for the TripAdvisor City Guides Sweepstakes

No Purchase Necessary.  A Purchase will not Increase Your Chances of Winning.

1. Eligibility:  The Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least eighteen (18) years old and have a Twitter account.  Employees of TripAdvisor LLC, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee, are not eligible to enter.
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4. Entry Period:  The Sweepstakes ends at 12 PM ET on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.  Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will not be eligible.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes.
5. How to Enter:  If you don’t already follow @TripAdvisor on Twitter, visit http://twitter.com/tripadvisor and click on the icon to follow @TripAdvisor. Once you are following @TripAdvisor, Retweet: “TripAdvisor launches #30NewCityGuides! Get your free app & RT for a chance to win a $250 Amex gift card. Details: http://tripadv.sr/JtTDvm” There is a limit of one (1) entry per person.  Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same Twitter account.  If you attempt to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different Twitter accounts, identities, registrations, or logins, or through any other methods, Sponsor may void all of your entries and exclude you from participating in the Sweepstakes.  Participation is subject to Twitter’s Terms of Service.
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8. Prizes:  One (1) winner will receive one (1) TripAdvisor swag pack, including a $250 Amex gift card, hat, notebook, luggage tag and grocery tote bag. The approximate retail value of the prize is $275. A winner is responsible for paying any applicable income taxes and any and all other costs and expenses not listed above.  Any prize details not specified above will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  A prize may not be transferred and must be accepted as awarded.  You may not request cash or a substitute prize; however, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
9. General Conditions:  In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment.  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Failure by Sponsor to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.  Proof of sending any communication to Sponsor by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by Sponsor.  In the event of a dispute as to the owner of any entry, the entry will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the Twitter user name used to enter will be deemed to be the participant.  An entrant may be required to provide proof that he/she is the authorized account holder of the Twitter user name that was selected.  The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.
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Travel Etiquette Q&A

Q: What should you do if you have something that’s a really tricky shape and you want to put it in the overhead compartment on a plane? I bought some artwork in Europe and really had a hard time making it fit, and then I was nervous it was going to be damaged.

A: Overhead compartments are not a good place for anything fragile. Even if you arrange everything perfectly, someone could remove their carry-on mid-flight and put it back on top of your artwork… then bye-bye, flea-market Picasso. Some people try to put one item in an overhead bin, then shut the door in hopes no one else will put a bag in there, but that’s greedy. (And plus, if your item has a whole bin to itself, it’s going to get thrown all over the place in turbulence—not good if it’s breakable.)

I’d strongly recommend shipping artwork back home directly from the dealer. It’ll cost more, but you can insure it against damage. Better yet, shop for small souvenirs when you’re on vacation.  They can go in a bag under the seat in front of you—it’s much easier to keep an eye on them there.

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Q: If you’re staying in a hotel that has checkout at noon, but you’re not scheduled to leave that city until the evening, is it okay to work in the lobby for several hours?

A: Yes, with a few caveats. If you have to make a phone call, step outside. (Hey, fresh air’s good for you!) Don’t spread your stuff out all over the place, especially if it’s crowded. If there’s food or beverage service, you should order something out of courtesy to the wait staff. And if other people are waiting for seats—particularly if there’s food or beverage service—you shouldn’t occupy one chair for several hours straight. Finish your drink or your snack, pack up your laptop, and let someone else sit for a while. You can always take a new chair if one opens up.

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Q: What do you do if you go out to dinner with a group and split the check, but somebody underpays? Someone I’m going on vacation with always does this, and I want to nip it in the bud.

A: You need to grab the check and take responsibility for telling everyone what they owe. If you just pass it around, and people take a peek and throw some bills in the folder, it’s easy for someone to be anonymously cheap. But if you say, “Okay, Bob, you owe $15,” it’s hard for him to stiff you. I’d do the same thing for hotels, rental cars, etc., lest you get stuck with a very big bill.

by Lesley Carlin
© 2010, originally published by Scripps Howard News Service

Travel Etiquette Q&A

Q: I had a devil of a time trying to get a cab to take me from downtown Manhattan to LaGuardia. It was rush hour, and raining. Three different cabs stopped, asked me my destination, then drove away when I said LGA! Are they really permitted to do that? I almost missed my flight.

A: Technically, no—if you check the official website for the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, it says a cabbie can’t refuse any destination within the five boroughs. If you were going to Newark airport, they could legitimately refuse, but since LaGuardia’s in Queens, they should have taken you. But this happens all the time.  So what can you do? Well, you could get the driver’s medallion number and report him, but that’s not going to get you to the airport. I’d get in the cab, shut the door and then say you’re going to LGA. If the driver objects, remind him of the rules. I suppose he could still flat-out refuse to take you, but it’s a lot harder if you’re already in the cab.

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Photo of Alinea, Chicago, by alienpilot

Q: My mom and I are celebrating her birthday by traveling to Chicago for the weekend. I want to try restaurants serving food I can’t get in our hometown, but my mom is a real meat-and-potatoes person. Would it be rude of me to suggest eating at places I know wouldn’t be her first choice? I just never get to visit big cities, and I think eating at, like, the Olive Garden would be a waste.

A:  While I completely understand your desire to try interesting restaurants, nobody wants to go out for dinner on her birthday at a restaurant she doesn’t like. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with chain restaurants—it just means you need to go online and do some research. Short of really avant-garde molecular gastronomy places, most restaurants offer a couple of simple dishes along with more creative fare. Find several restaurants that sound good to you, print their menus out, and ask your mom what appeals to her.

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Q: What do you do if the person sitting next to you on a flight falls asleep and starts leaning into you? I was really uncomfortable when the guy sitting next to me kept doing this on a transatlantic flight.

A: Wake them up—over and over again, if necessary. If there are empty seats on the plane, you could move, but otherwise, this is pretty much your only option. Just do it nicely—I’m sure they’re not intentionally encroaching on your space.

by Lesley Carlin
© 2010, originally published by Scripps Howard News Service

TripAdvisor Travelers’ Summer Travel Plans Revealed

Believe it or not, it’s almost summer, and that means it’s time to get planning! From relaxing beach escapes to city getaways, the summer offers many travelers the chance to get out and explore.

According to TripAdvisor’s annual summer travel survey of more than 1,800 respondents, that’s exactly what travelers plan to do. This year’s survey found that 86 percent of travelers are planning leisure trips this summer, up from 81 percent who traveled last year. A separate survey of more than 1,200 U.S. respondents also found that recently declining gas prices won’t have an effect on leisure travel plans this summer, according to 86 percent of U.S. respondents. However, 10 percent now expect to take more trips by car this summer as a direct result of lower prices at the pumps.

TripAdvisor survey found 10 percent of U.S. respondents plan to take more summer trips by car as a result of declining gas prices.

Other interesting findings from our summer travel survey include:

-More than a quarter of travelers surveyed (27%) said they will spend more on leisure summer travel than they did in 2011, 47% plan to spend the same amount as last year, and 26% expect to spend less.

-70% will stay at a hotel this summer, up 3% from 2011, 31% will stay at the home of family or friends, and 20% will spend their time in a vacation rental home.

-Of those going on summer trips this year, 70% will be traveling by car and 64% will be taking to the skies.

-79% would take a spontaneous trip this summer if they found a great deal.

-More than one-third of U.S. respondents (34%) plan to travel for Memorial Day weekend, up eight percent from 2011.

-According to the respondents, New York City, Las Vegas, and Chicago are the three most popular U.S. destinations for summer travel this year.

-41% of respondents said while on vacation they plan to visit a historical site or landmark, 15% will attend a concert, and 12% will treat themselves to a food festival.

To see the full survey results, including the most popular summer destination types and regions, take a peek here.

Will you be traveling this summer? Fill us in on where you’re headed in the comments section below!

2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards Announced

Planning a trip this year, but not sure where to go? You might want to take a peek at the winners of TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards for inspiration! Announced today, this year’s winners honor 440 outstanding destinations in 37 markets across the globe, including lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Europe, India, Mexico, the Middle East, South America, the South Pacific, and the United States. Plus, the Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers like you! Award winners were determined based on the popularity of destinations, taking into account travelers’ favorites and most highly rated places.

London is the number one destination in the world, according to TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards. (TripAdvisor traveler photo)

Wondering which destinations won? Here are the top 10 winners in the world and U.S.:

Top 10 Travelers’ Choice World Destinations:
1. London, England
2. New York City, New York
3. Rome, Italy
4. Paris, France
5. San Francisco, California
6. Marrakech, Morocco
7. Istanbul, Turkey
8. Barcelona, Spain
9. Siem Reap, Cambodia
10. Berlin, Germany

Top 10 Travelers’ Choice U.S. Destinations:
1. New York City, New York
2. San Francisco, California
3. Chicago, Illinois
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
6. Los Angeles, California
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
8. Seattle, Washington
9. San Diego, California
10. Orlando, Florida

Check out the full lists of 2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations winners, sponsored by LAN Airlines, and tell us: which destinations are on your travel bucket list this year?

TripAdvisor’s 2012 Air Travel Survey Results are Out!

Today, we published the findings of TripAdvisor’s annual Air Travel survey. While there were several interesting takeaways from this year’s survey, we heard loud and clear that fliers place the utmost value in mobile devices, frequent flier programs, and in-flight privacy:

Mobile Use Takes Off
More and more people report using mobile devices to check flight status, check-in to a flight, and entertain themselves while on board. Now more than one in four travelers call their iPad or tablet a carry-on essential.

Another interesting mobile device trend is that fliers seem skeptical about the need to shut off mobile devices while onboard. 58 percent question whether powering down their electronic devices during takeoff and landing is really necessary.

Shh… Anti-social in the Air
Turns out the majority of travelers have no interest in socializing with seatmates – 76 percent of survey participants prefer to keep to themselves while in-flight. In fact, fliers want peace and quiet so much that many would pay extra to sit in a designated “quiet” section of the plane.

Not even a presidential candidate could get some fliers to come out of their shell: 33 percent would not sit next to Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, or Newt Gingrich, if given the opportunity.

Calling for More Comfort
Unfortunately, 22 percent of survey participants don’t enjoy a single thing about air travel! Seems like this could be helped if airplane seating was more comfortable – 41 percent believe that more legroom is the biggest improvement airlines can make.

Interested in seeing all the survey tidbits? Check them out here: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49263-tripadvisor-survey-reveals-air-travel-on-the-rise-in-2012

Travel Etiquette Q&A

Q: I’m going to LA next week for the first time. If I see a celebrity in a restaurant, is it okay to say hi? Can I ask for an autograph or photo?

A: I’m not keen on asking for autographs or photos. It’s cute at Disney when little kids shyly ask Mickey for an autograph—it’s not so cute when a 35-year-old does it in Nobu. Unless a celebrity is doing a meet-and-greet where they’re expected to do this, leave them alone. Besides, you’ll get enough mileage out of posting “In Pinkberry with Bono and the entire cast of Twilight” as your Facebook status; you don’t need to make them all scribble on a napkin.

There are times, however, when it’s totally fine to talk to a celebrity. If you’d converse with a non-famous stranger in the same situation (e.g., you’re seated beside them on a plane or sharing an elevator), go ahead and chit-chat a bit. But it’d be weird to walk across a crowded restaurant to speak to a random stranger, right? Then you shouldn’t do it if you spot Lady Gaga at IHOP.

Finally, if you do talk to a celeb, don’t babble on and on about how much you adore them. Let’s leave that to 14-year-olds obsessed with the Jonas Brothers, okay?

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Q: I was on the redeye and the guy sitting next to me snored the entire way. It was so loud I couldn’t sleep. What could I have done?

A: I’ll take a crying baby over a high-decibel snorer any day. At least babies are cute.

Next time, pack good earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Snoring isn’t something most people can control, but you can try to muffle it so it bothers you less. And snorers, just as parents shouldn’t book a flight at their baby’s fussiest time of day, you should try to avoid the redeye.

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Q: Why can’t people walk on the left and stand on the right on moving sidewalks in airports?

A: That’s sort of like asking why my cat runs around like he’s possessed at 3 am. I haven’t the foggiest idea! It’s not a hard concept to grasp. Some airports actually make announcements, or put up signs, and people still don’t comply. So if you’re walking, but someone’s blocking the entire walkway with 20 pieces of luggage, just say “Excuse me, may I get by?” And FYI, the same thing goes for escalators. If you’re standing, stand on the right with your carry-on in front of or behind you. It’s a little awkward but better than getting plowed into by someone running to catch their plane.

by Lesley Carlin
© 2009, originally published by Scripps Howard News Service

Survey Reveals Travelers are Growing Greener

Costa Rica is the most popular destination in the world for travelers interested in an eco-friendly trip. (TripAdvisor Traveler Photo)

Deciding where to go on vacation can depend on a lot of factors – from choosing to visit a new destination or one you’ve been to many times, to snagging a good deal, to finding a place the whole family will enjoy. For many travelers today, making a positive impact on the environment is also an important factor.

That’s why with Earth Day right around the corner, we’re excited to reveal the results of TripAdvisor’s eco-friendly travel survey of more than 700 U.S. travelers. The results showed that the green travel trend is gaining momentum among TripAdvisor members. In fact, 71 percent said they’re planning to make more eco-friendly choices in the next 12 months.

Other interesting survey findings include:
-Fifty-seven percent said they “often” make eco-friendly travel decisions, such as their choice of hotel, transportation, or food source.

-Forty-four percent “mostly” believe hotel claims to be eco-friendly, 32 percent “rarely” do and 20 percent “don’t know.”

-Half of the travelers surveyed would spend more money to stay at an eco-friendly accommodation.

-Nearly a third of travelers (30 percent) would choose a destination for a trip because it is considered eco-friendly.

Travelers’ in the survey also revealed that their top 3 eco-friendly practices are:
1. Turning off the lights when not in their hotel room – 88%
2. Participating in hotel’s linen/towel re-use programs – 80%
3. Using recycling in the hotel – 57%

Take a peek at the full survey results and tell us: Is eco-friendly travel important to you? Have you ever taken an eco-friendly trip? Share your experiences in the comments section below!

Etiquette Q&A

Q: What do you think of that guy who was denied boarding on his flight because he was wearing a track suit and had a seat in first class? What should you wear in first class?

A: Boy, did United—the airline in question here—really screw up. He clearly should have been allowed to board, as he wasn’t breaking any official airline rules.  I personally think wearing workout clothes when you’re not actually working out looks a tad sloppy, but it’s totally unreasonable to deny someone boarding because they’re wearing a track suit.

However, despite the lack of an official dress code, first class does seem more formal than coach. I assume that’s due to self-selection—it’s mostly business travelers, who (big surprise) tend to wear business attire. So if you’re seated up front and want to blend in, go for business casual at least. Besides, first class is a great place for networking—do you really want to meet the CEO of a company you’d like to work for while sporting sweatpants and a “Hard Rock Café Cancun” t-shirt?

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Q: Can I bring my kids into the specialty restaurants on a cruise ship?

A: It depends on your kids. If you take them out to a “family” restaurant like T.G.I. Friday’s or Bennigan’s, can they make it through a full meal without a meltdown? If not, you’re asking for trouble if you try one of the swanky restaurants on a cruise ship. However, if your kids are generally well-behaved in restaurants, and—this is important—you’re willing to get up and leave with them if they suddenly turn into screaming monsters, you can give it a shot. Just tell the person seating you that you’d prefer a table near the door, in case you need to make a quick exit. (This is assuming your cruise line doesn’t have a minimum age requirement to dine in the specialty restaurants, of course. Some do.)

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Q: Do I really have to be quiet in the Quiet Car on Amtrak? I can make a cell phone call as long as I’m not too loud, right?

A: Of course you need to be quiet in the Quiet Car! It’s not called the Quiet, Except for the Occasional Moderately-Loud Cell Phone Conversation Car, is it? I hope your comprehension issues don’t extend to other things with completely straightforward names. Like stop signs.

by Lesley Carlin
© 2009, originally published by Scripps Howard News Service