Free admission, free parking, and a chance to see adorable and exotic animals? Sign us up for this day trip!
USA Today readers picked their 10 favorite free attractions across the country, and Cape May County Park & Zoo made the list again, this year ranking 9th.
The zoo has more than 500 animals of 250 species, known for its snow leopard cubs, baby giraffes, a Bald Eagle, monkeys and river otters. There’s currently a fundraising campaign to build a new habitat for penguins and flamingos.
There are lots of fun activities year-round, like Yoga in the Zoo, Pirate Day and Princess Day, an Earth Day celebration, 5Ks, summer concerts in the park, the Tree to Tree Adventure Course, the Creepy Jeepy Contest, and Boo at the Zoo for Halloween. Note: Some of these will have fees.
There are other ways to support the zoo, like by planning your kid’s birthday party, signing up for zoo camp, going on a school trip, setting up an animal encounter, taking a guided tour, or symbolically adopting an animal.
The park itself has 200 acres of free fun, including picnic areas, fishing ponds, walking and biking paths, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and tennis courts – so you can make a full day (or two) of your visit.
Cape May County Park & Zoo is located at 707 North Rte. 9, Cape May Court House. Zoo hours are 10 am to 4:30 pm, and the park is open from 7 am to dusk, every day (weather permitting) except for Christmas.
Two other nearby spots were named to the list, too:
Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia came in at No. 3. You can walk around the park, see the Liberty Bell up close, go inside Congress Hall to see where the U.S. Congress met when Philly was the capital of the U.S., or visit Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence at U.S. Constitution were signed. Tours are free, but some require advanced tickets.
You should also stop inside the Independence Hall Visitor Center and ask for the History Hangouts walking tour schedule, which will take you around the park and historic buildings at select times.
For more ideas on free things to do in Philly, check our Instagram page.
No. 4 on the list, the chocolate tour at Hershey’s Chocolate World at Hershey Park, is a great idea for any chocoholic. Separate from the candy-themed amusement park, this indoor “ride” of sorts takes you on a slow-moving view of how chocolate is gathered, made and mass produced. At the end, you’re treated to some free chocolates, too! (Be warned: It’s hard to leave the gift shop without spending money!)
The 10 Best Free Attractions in the U.S., according to USA Today’s 10Best Awards for 2025:
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach, Florida
- TECO Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach, Florida
- Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
- Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, New York
- National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C.
- Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Las Vegas, Nevada
See some of our favorite animals at the Cape May Zoo on our Instagram page.
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Read More
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How to Explore New Jersey’s Parks
Things to Do in Cape May, NJ
How to Spend a Day in Cape May
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Free Things to Do With the Kids in Philly
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