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Admission prices increase for N.C. Zoo, Transportation Museum Friday

The two popular family destinations will raise their admission fees as they react to state budget cuts.

Posted 2011-06-30T02:46:05+00:00 - Updated 2011-06-30T02:48:15+00:00

Jamani, an 11-year-old gorilla, is expected her first baby in the summer of 2011, which would be the first time since 1989 that a baby gorilla is born at the North Carolina Zoo. (Photo courtesy of N.C. Zoo)

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

The N.C. Zoo and N.C. Transportation Museum will raise their admission fees as the popular family spots react to state budget cuts. The new prices are effective Friday.

The transportation museum will begin charging admission for the first time. Right now, visitors are admitted for free, but charged for train rides, which are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and children ages 3 to 12. The new admission fee, which includes a train ride, is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and military; $6 for kids ages 3 to 12; and free for kids 2 and under. The museum is in Spencer, about two hours from the Triangle.

The N.C. Zoo's increase is the first in a decade. Effective Friday, zoo admission will go from $10 to $12 for adults; $6 to $8 for kids ages 2 to 12; and $8 to $10 for senior citizens and college students.

In a press release, Zoo Director David Jones says the price increase is part of the park's effort to deal with continuing state budget cuts that have seen the zoo's operating budget cut by five to 15 percent over three consecutive fiscal years. The zoo is in Asheboro, which is about 90 minutes from the Triangle.