Llamas, tigers and lemurs: 10 places to see animals in NC
Families can get up close and personal with fascinating creatures in our state, from the aquariums, zoos, wildlife refuges and more.
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By Jelia Hepner, WRAL multiplatform producer
RALEIGH, N.C. — With World Health Organization declaring the COVID pandemic over, this is the perfect time for children to put down their electronics and explore new adventures this summer. Families can get up close and personal with fascinating creatures in our state at one of these locations.
Here are some top places to plan a family day where kids can experience, learn or even feed animals.
North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro
Elephants, white rhinos, ostriches and more can be seen at the NC Zoo in Asheboro. The world's largest natural habitat center has many of these animals representing Africa, North America and Asia.
Visitors can get eye-to-eye with a giraffe, castaway to Lemur Island and head for an immersion walkway above the Watani Grasslands on 2,600 wooded acres. Other zoo amenities include hiking trails, a butterfly garden and a giraffe deck.
Phone number: (336) 879-7000
Location: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205.
Lazy 5 Ranch
Mooresville
Lazy 5 Ranchin Mooresville is home to more than 700 animals from six continents. Guests can see animals like rhinos, giraffes, and zebras while riding on wagons or in their vehicles.
Founded in 1999,Animal Park At The Conservators Center has more than 20 species, including lions, tigers, leopards and wolves. The home to over 70 animals, people can get educated on caring for animals and advocating for species.
The organization's public tour program allows visitors to purchase tickets to walk the 10-acre Animal Park with an experienced guide and learn more about each animal ambassador.
Phone: 336-421-0883
Address: 676 E. Hughes Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27217.
Duke Lemur Center
Durham
Established over 50 years ago, the Duke Lemur Centerin Durham is a non-invasive research facility housing for over 200 lemurs and bush babies across 13 species.
Through tours and learning how to be a keeper for a day, visitors can get up close and person with those wide-eyed creatures.
Phone: (919) 401-7240
Address: 3705 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705.
Sweet Valley Ranch
Fayetteville
Sweet Valley Ranch is a place where nature meets adventure. Located in Fayetteville, this 300-acre farm is a wonderland inhabited by more than 350 animals, many of them exotic varieties.
The farm was purchased about four years ago by Fred and Anita Surgeon. The ranch also has events, including Springtime Adventures, Backwoods Terror Ranch and the Festival of Lights.
Address: 2990 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312.
Greensboro Science Center
Greensboro
One of the most popular attractions in our state isThe Greensboro Science Center. This center offers eye-to-eye experience with animals worldwide, including endangered species such as African penguins, pygmy hippos, a Sumatran tiger and red pandas.
Visitors can see animals such as the American Black Bear, American Pygmy Goat and American Red Wolf at the Western North Carolina Nature Centerthat bring children close to the wild. This 42-acre zoological park is home to 60 species of wild and domestic animals and hundreds of species of plants, all representative of this unique bioregion, the Southern Appalachians.
Phone: 828-259-8080
Address: 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
North Carolina Aquariums
Hardly anyone can resist beautiful sea creatures. At the Roanoke Island aquariumon the Outer Banks, guests can see our state's most extensive collection of sharks and touch various aquatic and semi-aquatic animals in the Sea Senses tank.
Exhibits at the Pine Knoll Shores aquarium near Atlantic Beach lead you from the mountains to the sea as you follow a stream's journey to the ocean, watching river otters, fish and reptiles.
Address: Pine Knoll Shores, Manteo, Fort Fisher and Jennette's Pier at Nag's Head
Spring Haven Farm
Chapel Hill
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If you are looking for a 'Goat-ol-time," Spring Haven Farmin Chapel Hill is the place to visit. From a diverse selection of animals, this place is a great petting zoo, animal shelter and small farm animal zoo. Visitors can feed and get close to many animals, from goats to llamas.
Phone: 919-407-1806
Address: 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Manteo
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in Manteo is where kids can take a walk on the wild side. This refuge includes more than 154,000 wildlife acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from alligators and wood ducks to black bears and more.
Guest can also learn about plant species, including Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, wildflowers and shrubs. The fun continues beyond there because people can also experience hiking, wildlife trails, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing routes.
