The first zoos were established to ration time with baby animals, which were so adorable that they dominated the lives of everyone from John F. Kennedy to Neil Armstrong, delaying man’s landing on the moon for a good 15 years. See the stars of the animal kingdom with today's Groupon: for $55, you get a one-year Friend-level membership to Zoo New England, good for three cardholders, two guests, and up to four children (a $110 value).

Zoo New England is a nonprofit organization that operates both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, with a driving focus on protecting endangered species and conservation education. Your membership grants you access to a variety of themed exhibits housing hundreds of exotic animal species and mountain-dwelling wildlife from around the extra-globalized globe. Mop a sweaty brow while wandering through the tropical rainforest habitat, which is home to thousands of plants as well as mandrills, ocelots, a pygmy hippopotamus, and the western lowland gorilla exhibit, which lets visitors stand face-to-face with the sloping gentle giants through a glass partition, ideal for bonding with your fellow great apes. Black bear and North American otter exhibits re-create the sensation of living out a Goldilocks marathon, and Treasures of the Sierra Madre presents a gilded gander at jaguars, cougars, coyotes, and Gila monsters. Explore Zoo New England's handicapped-accessible geographic habitats, or graze from plentiful discounted concessions at picnic tables with family, friends, and pith-helmet-clad officemates.

In addition to zoo admission, your membership grants you perks including access to exclusive events and exhibit previews, as well as express entrance on anticipated high-attendance days. Fill noggins at discounted "Wild Adventures" education programs or brush up on animal factoids from the zoo's included quarterly newsletter. After these studious efforts, you can put your knowledge to the test with a cross-country trip to affiliated zoos, all offering free or reduced admission to membership-wielding wildlife enthusiasts.

Reviews

Franklin Park Zoo has been reviewed by Fodor's and Frommer's. It received a three-star average rating from Yelpers, and four-star reviews on average from multiple Insider Pagers and nine Yahoo! Locals:

• Lion and tiger habitats, the Giraffe Savannah, and a 4-acre mixed-species area called the Serengeti Crossing that showcases zebras, ostriches, ibex, and wildebeests keep this zoo roaring. The Tropical Forest, with its renovated Western Lowland Gorilla environment, is a big draw, and wallabies, emus, and kangaroos populate the Australian Outback Trail. – Fodor's
• It was very memorable experience. It was big. The staff was awesome and so helpful. – V. S., Insider Pages