50 Amazingly Adorable Animals From Every State
To help you put a little animal fun in your next trip, Yahoo Travel went in search of amazing animals in each state. Whether you like fur, feathers, or fins, here is our list of favorites.
Alabama
The Birmingham Zoo is the only accredited facility in the country where you can observe the interactions of an all-male African elephant herd behaving the way it does in the wild.
Alaska
A most down-to-earth mayor, Stubbs (named for his short tail) enjoys spending his time hanging out with the locals at the local pub. (Photo: Mayor Stubbs/Facebook)
Politicians across the country are jealous of the popularity of Mayor Stubbs of Talkeetna. In a town with a population under 1,000, the mayor, who happens to be a cat, has a Facebook page with almost 34,000 followers.
Arizona
Take birdwatching to the extreme in Sierra Vista. Sierra Suites has birding packages and all the information you need to get started.
Arkansas
Trudy the Gorilla is the second-oldest gorilla in captivity and has been entertaining visitors to the Little Rock Zoo since 1988.
California
See some of the famously beautiful Budweiser Clydesdales at their Fort Collins brewery. (Photo: Budweiser Brewery Experience/Facebook)
There are few places in the U.S. to see parrots living in the wild. They aren’t indigenous to San Francisco, but the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill are truly a sight to see.
Colorado
In Fort Collins, the Budweiser Clydesdales West Coast Team is the second-best reason to visit the brewery.
Connecticut
Get up close and personal with the enchanting beluga whales at Mystic Seaport.
Delaware
There are things that happen in nature that defy description. You have to see the spawning of horseshoe crabs on the shores of Delaware Bay to believe it.
Florida
Just a couple monkeys…hanging out…in Florida. (Photo: Craig ONeal/Flickr)
In a state with wildlife around almost every corner, it’s not surprising that there are monkeys living in the wild at Silver Springs State Park. As with the Telegraph Hill parrots, the fact that they don’t really belong there, but have adapted, makes seeing them even more incredible.
Related: The Cutest Baby Animals You Will See on Safari
Georgia
Forget social media for a weekend and get up close and personal with the adorable animals at the Social Goat Bed and Breakfast in downtown Atlanta.
Hawaii
Watching wildlife is easy in Hawaii but not always possible at your hotel. The exotic birds at Hyatt Regency Maui are the exception.
Idaho
The Pocatello Zoo has a sampling of Idaho wildlife, including an elk that saved a marmot from drowning last year.
Illinois
Shedd’s newest otter pup, Luna, is simply too cute for words. (Photo: Shedd Aquarium/Facebook)
Otters are the fur-covered comedians of the animal kingdom. Get your otter fix at the famed Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Indiana
We don’t know what you are, but we do know that you’re adorable! (Photo: Fort Wayne Children’s Park Zoo/Facebook)
Red pandas look more like raccoons than pandas, but with adorable faces like these, who cares what we call them? See them at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
Iowa
We all like to believe that our pets would save our lives if called upon. “H.J.” the Weimaraner did just that. You can hang with him and his crazy entourage of farm critters at the Farm House B&B in Fredericksburg.
Kansas
The Hutchinson Zoo has painting raccoons. Really.
Kentucky
Home to one of the most famous horse races in the world, it’s no surprise that Kentucky would also be home to a park dedicated to its favorite animal. (Photo:The Kentucky Horse Park/Facebook)
There’s a special place in our hearts for horses, so it’s amazing that Kentucky Horse Park is the only equine theme park in the country.
Louisiana
At the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, you can have amazing experiences with the animals. Chat with the penguins or snorkel with cownose rays. Your choice.
Maine
Take a puffin tour to Easter Egg Rock to see these adorable birds that live in open ocean most of the year, coming ashore only to breed.
Maryland
Seahorse pairs are nature’s perfect little couples. They cozy up almost daily while awaiting Daddy’s delivery of the little ones. Prepare to be amazed at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Massachusetts
Catie and Carley are ready to shower guests with some puppy love (even if you happen to be a Yankees fan). (Photo: The Fairmont Copley Plaza/Facebook)
Traveling without our pets can be lonely. Catie and Carly, Fairmont Copley Plaza canine ambassadors, are happy to provide some substitute puppy love if you are on the road in Boston.
Michigan
Elk are astonishingly handsome. Get your viewing time right in town at the Gaylord’s City Elk Park.
Minnesota
We didn’t think it was possible, but this tree kangaroo might have just out-cuted its ground-dwelling cousin. (Photo: Minnesota Zoo/Facebook)
Matschie’s tree kangaroos look like something a toy manufacturer dreamed up. How could any real animal be that cute? See them at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.
Related: Please Do Feed the Animals at These Places
Mississippi
Who needs a monster truck when you can ride a Monster Bison Bus? See bison, giraffes, and zebras at the Tupelo Buffalo Park.
Missouri
Where do baby Clydesdales come from? The breeding facility at Warm Springs Ranch. Take the tour to see the newest additions to the team.
Montana
There’s something about Montana that can turn anyone into a wildlife watcher. Start with the elk at the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area.
Nebraska
The majestic Sandhill cranes on the Platte River. (Photo: National Audubon Society)
One of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America, the migration of sandhill cranes on the Platte River is easily observed from strategically positioned viewing blinds.
Nevada
If you’ve never seen a horse in the wild, you have not fully experienced the beauty of the beast. The Bureau of Land Management offers tips for wild horse and burro watching on public land in Nevada.
New Hampshire
Clydesdale Hamlet is your opportunity to see the Budweiser teams in the eastern half of the state. Why wait for the next Super Bowl commercial when you can see the real thing?
New Jersey
Watching wildlife while you dine is a rare experience. Walpack Inn has become famous for feeding both its patrons and the deer that come to visit. Who exactly is watching whom here?
New Mexico
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Bat Flight!! (Photo: AP Photo/National Park Service, Dr. Nick Hristov)
Viewing the Carlsbad Caverns bat flight is a spectacular way to include animal watching in your visit to one of the world’s most famous cavern systems.
New York
Matilda is the reigning feline queen of the Algonquin Hotel. She follows a line of predecessors dating to the 1930s, when the tradition began.
North Carolina
If you’ve ever wanted to look a giraffe in the eye, the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck at the North Carolina Zoo is the place to go.
North Dakota
The reindeer certainly don’t mind the frigid temperatures of North Dakota. (Photo: Dakota Zoo/Facebook)
There are reindeer at several zoos around the country, but somehow North Dakota seems the most fitting place to visit them. The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck is about as close to the North Pole as we can get and still stay in the Lower 48.
Ohio
You can’t give them muffins, but the moose at the Columbus Zoo are sure to please.
Oklahoma
Who wouldn’t want to spend some quality time with this beautiful technicolor lorikeet? (Photo: Oklahoma City Zoo/Facebook)
We love zoo projects that let visitors connect with the animals. Feeding the lorikeets at the Oklahoma City Zoo is a perfect example.
Oregon
Date night at the aquarium sounds like our kind of couples fun. The Aquarium of the Pacific offers tips and ideas for adult visits where children are not a prerequisite.
Pennsylvania
In Pittsburgh, Edie the canine ambassador at the Fairmont welcomes guests in the lobby and is available for walks around the city.
Rhode Island
Wave “hello!” to the seals sunning themselves on the rocks of Narragansett Bay. (Photo: TripAdvisor)
Seal watching in Narragansett Bay is the perfect addition to a trip to Newport.
South Carolina
The loggerhead sea turtle walk on Edisto Island is one example of how the South Carolina State Parks excel at wildlife educational experiences.
South Dakota
You really can’t visit South Dakota without seeing bison. You can make it a luxury experience at the State Game Lodge at Custer State park.
Tennessee
The Peabody Ducks are the only ducks we know worthy of the red carpet treatment. (Photo: The Peabody Memphis)
The Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Memphis are some of the country’s most famous hotel mascots. They’ve rubbed wings with presidents, Elvis, and Oprah. Travel tip: If you stay at the Peabody, don’t expect to find any duck on the menu.
Texas
Peacocks rule the roost at Mayfield Park in Austin. Visit between March and July to get the best photos. After July, the males lose their tail feathers.
Utah
Mt. Peale Animal Sanctuary and Healing Center is the kind of place where the animals and visitors both find healing by connection with each other.
Vermont
Hang out with this photogenic goat at Trevin Farms (and maybe she’ll even pose for a selfie!) (Photo: Trevin Farms/Facebook)
While exotic animals have a certain lure, there’s nothing like a weekend spent in the company of domestic farm animals such as goats, horses, and chickens. Get in touch with your inner farmer at Trevin Farms Bed and Breakfast.
Related: Tuck In Your Favorite Animals at These Zoo Sleepovers
Virginia
The country’s most famous wild ponies live on Assateague Island. The southern entrance to the park is near Chincoteague, which gave the ponies their literary name.
Washington
Whale watching in the San Juan Islands is a must when visiting Washington in the summer. Try Orcas Island Whale Watching Tours or San Juan Excursions.
West Virginia
Miniature horses, pigs, cows, and even peacocks hang with the guests at Oldeststone Farm bed and breakfast.
Wisconsin
Alpacas long necks and incredibly soft fur might just make them the most perfectly huggable animals ever. (Photo: Sabamba Alpaca Ranch/Facebook)
We think alpacas have the sweetest faces. At Sabamba Alpaca Ranch and Bed & Breakfast, you can learn about the alpaca industry firsthand while enjoying those sweet faces.
Wyoming
It’s hard to say which is cuter, llamas or miniature horses. Decide for yourself at Squaw Creek Ranch in Lander.
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