Barnum used to take his circus animals for a stroll in Bridgeport’s [1] Beardsley Park. That fact inspired the city to create the Beardsley Zoological Gardens (1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, 203/394-6565, www.beardsleyzoo.org [2], 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, $11 adults, $9 seniors and children 3–11, free for children under 3 and Connecticut Zoological Society members), which has more than 300 animals. The grounds were designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and make a pleasing walk in any type of weather.
Highlights of the Beardsley Zoological Gardens include an indoor rainforest, an energetic troupe of monkeys, and the éminence grise, a Siberian tiger named Robeki.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/connecticut/western-connecticut/fairfield-county/bridgeport-and-fairfield
[2] http://www.beardsleyzoo.org