A beloved Garden State favorite, the Cape May County Park & Zoo , has earned recognition as one of the nation’s premier free attractions, landing at No. 9 in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Located at Cape May Court House, the award‑winning site offers visitors free admission and parking to explore 200 acres of parkland and over 80 acres of zoo exhibits. Guests can enjoy a diverse collection of animals — from giraffes, zebras and leopards to lemurs — set among shaded trails and open-air habitats.

USA TODAY’s annual 10Best list combines expert nominations with public voting, presenting a curated lineup across travel, food, and lifestyle categories. In this year’s poll, Cape May County Park & Zoo stood alongside iconic destinations such as Niagara Falls and the National Mall.

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