Fodor's Expert Review Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

The indoor, walk-through South American rain forest alone justifies a visit to this zoo. It comes alive with dozens of species, some rare and endangered such as keel-billed toucans, broad-snouted caimans, and black-and-gold howler monkeys living in a lush environment of waterfalls, ponds, greenery, and bamboo. The zoo itself has 36 acres of exhibits featuring more than 300 animals: bison, tigers, leopards, timber wolves, sloths, a red panda, bald eagles---and proud peacocks that freely roam the property right along with you. There's also a colorful carousel and a New England farmyard.