When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Listings. Check. 919-220-5429 6016 US 401 North, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 Snakes? Farm pass: $18. 159 Mini Lane, Cameron, NC 28326 Hux Family Farm is home to goats, sheep, ducks, geese, pigs, horses and rabbits. Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Road . Price of tours: $10 (kids 5 and under are free) 11 Places for Animal Adventures in North Carolina, 2023 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, 200+ species will amuse and amaze you at a zoo, Go Beyond the Guidebook at the Nations Largest Natural Habitat Zoo, Beyond the Guidebook: The Wonder of Grandfather Mountain, The Animal Park at the Conservators Center. read about the timed tickets and safety protocols. 7084 US-64, Pittsboro, NC 27312 For thrilling encounters of another kind, check out six of the scariest urban legends in North Carolina. At the Fort Fisher location, you can climb into the replica jaws of the Megalodon, a prehistoric shark the size of a bus that lived right off our coast. Set up a private playtime with baby goats here. 704-709-7000. And it also offers a variety of tours year-round, including some specifically for kids and families, as well as seasonal tours. Learn more from, Grandfather Mountain (the attraction, not the state park) offers a would of fun for families. From watching the polar bears to hopping on the zoofari tour or hand-feeding the giraffes, a day at the North Carolina Zoo is sure to please everyone in the family! Whether youre hiking, swimming, boating, or just exploring new attractions, our state is the perfect spot to make an adventure happen! From hiking trails to the world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, a day spent at Grandfather is sure to create lasting memories. Tickets: $8. Furthermore, you can even partake in an exclusive animal experience through our VIP tours where you can get up close and personal with some of our most popular animals. List 11 Places for Animal Adventures in North Carolina Eager to explore the wild side of North Carolina? 704-279-6363, 4400 Cook Road When the center is open, make sure to make a reservation to see and learn about these amazing creatures. You should read up a little bit on the venue before planning to visit so that you understand the mission of the organization. Winterpast Farm is a 10-acre family farm and animal sanctuary that includes goats, sheep, emu, a miniature donkey, ducklings, peacocks, a goose, pigs, bunnies, guinea pigs and chickens. CONTACT | 364 Leigh Farm Road Durham, NC | 919-489-0900 Piedmont Wildlife Center is an IRS designated 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Educational Animal Encounters - Tiger World Red and gray wolves, cougars, bobcats, and coyotes prowl in the predator habitat, and river otters swim and play in their own special area at the Western North Carolina Nature Center. Ready to start planning your family adventure at Zootastic Park in North Carolina? The Zoo features over 50 art pieces that range from wall art, to animal sculptures and paintings that emulate natures diversity. 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705 The wagon rides arent happening right now, but you can buy a bucket of feed, drive through Lazy 5 Ranch, and get VERY close to elk, deer, giraffes, camels, kangaroos and more, as they approach your car for the feed. Play With Sloth And Anteaters At Charleston Anteater Sloth And Exotics Our work is not possible without your support. If there are animal lovers in your family, youre in luck, because there are many places in the Charlotte area where you can visit animals of all kinds. Children under 2 are free. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap. 7236 NC Hwy 87 N., Pittsboro, NC 27312 $5 a person for tours. If you purchase one from this page, Charlotte on the Cheap will earn a small commission. Piedmont Wildlife Center Prodigal Farm creates award-winning goats milk and cows milk cheeses. Drive through pricing: $11 for adults, $8 for children age 2-11 and seniors 60+. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. Evan Moore is a service journalism . Visit the small native animals that call the nature centers home. (Does not include feed bucket.) Feed bags are $3. 5. Come visit us at the science center or let us bring the ZOO (and SCIENCE) to YOU! 5727 South Rocky River Road, Monroe Most seasonal attractions are scheduled to open on April 1, 2023. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and North Carolina Zoo The zoo is the first place that comes to mind when planning an animal visit. Make sure to call the nature centers to make sure that theyre open. Disguising a pet as a service animal is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, punishable by a $200 fine plus court costs, according to DRNC. You should read up a little bit on the venue before planning to visit so that you understand the mission of the organization and are comfortable with it. Animal Encounters in North Carolina | Zoos & Safaris | VisitNC.com Once you see these, you simply wont be able to pass them up. Naylor Family Farm Occasionally they present a fly-through, a free drive-through experience to meet the animals. 2. While it's not for everyone, the kiddos (and the big kids at heart) will love this unusual adventure. Discover a wide range of animal habitats with our zoo tours. Some are private zoos or aquariums. 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312 Feel free to join the discussion and add it to the list! They are always adding something new, so keep checking back. Youtube. Also, some of these activities are seasonal, so if theyre not open for visitors now, just file them away for future times. Youll want to buy your ticket in advance, because the farm is limiting the number of people on site, and often sell out, especially the movie nights. Updates on Facebook ZOOTASTIC PARK - Home You might also want to check Groupon for deals. SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Slingshot Social Game Club is holding a fundraiser and two events that Home | Darby Acres Farm Top 10 Best Animal Encounter in Charlotte, NC - February 2023 - Yelp Charlotte, NC Active Life Animal encounter Best animal encounter near me in Charlotte, North Carolina Sort:Recommended Price 1. Lee Crutchfield has dedicated most of his life to helping animals. You want to pet a Flamingo, right? When only 100% off will do, plan your week with this list of free activities. purchasing pup-portraits, and purchasing raffle tickets, the proceeds Carolina Raptor Center, on 57 acres within Latta Nature Preserve, is devoted to rescuing and rehabilitating birds of prey. It's open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mecklenburg County Nature Centers . Use tab to navigate through the menu items. This page lists businesses offering petting zoos, animal encounters, pony rides, and other types of animal interactions for kids' parties and events in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Get notified when there are new posts at Triangle on the Cheap and never miss a deal. Sloth Encounter | National Aviary Find upcoming budget-friendly Charlotte events. Tickets: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 62+, and $11 for children age 2-12. Plus, it is just not nice. Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary | Charlotte, North Carolina. Add a pony ride for $15 more. Youll meet horses, alpaca, emu, mini donkey, mini horse, llama, goat, pigs, sheep and more. 364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707 From thrilling Zoofari rides to magnificent butterfly gardens, these family-friendly activities will delight guests of all ages. This working alpaca ranch offers tours several days a week. Animal Encounters - Virginia Safari Park The park is home to more than 200 species of exotic birds. 10 Amazing Animal Encounters In North Carolina You Shouldn't Pass Up on: function(evt, cb) { You will receive your first newsletter soon. If there are animal lovers in your family, youre in luck, because there are several places in the Triangle where you can visit animals of all kinds. Walk along this centers 0.75-mile nature trail to see and learn about more than 30 species of eagles, hawks, owls, and other raptors or birds of prey. Best known for its hiking trails and Mile High Swinging Bridge, this iconic North Carolina attraction also gives you an up-close view of local animals, ranging from black bears and cougars to bald eagles and river otters. Admission free. Encounter is limited to 10 participants for each time slot. Additionally, visitors can tour the Zoo and enjoy fun attractions while checking out our public art collection. Home to more than 2,000 animals, the zoo has representatives of more than 350 species from around the world. Tours: $18 for adults, and $12.50 for ages 4-12. Animal Encounters This page lists places in the Charlotte, North Carolina area where kids can interact with or observe animals including: pets, farm animals, zoo animals and animals in the wild. and more animals. Please check with each venue for their policies. Results 1 - 8 of 8. Visits from people of all over certainly help brighten their spirits as well. Both offer some of the most interaction with animals that I have experienced. Our Animal Care team will provide you and up to three friends with a 10-minute encounter that includes petting, feeding, and playing with one of our animals. 1. 1658 Sterling Road If youre feeling really adventurous, try the Backcountry Hiking Trails, home to 16 distinct ecosystems and more than 70 rare or endangered animal species. 5. Have fun identifying the pieces while enjoying a zoo tour. Take a guided tour to meet and greet with 2,500 beautiful and exotic birds from all over the world. Check. we'll be attending with adoptable dogs. In the museum, kids are blown away by the size of the dinosaur models and from the winds of hurricane forces in the Extreme Weather Gallery. Check. Get more information in, The largest zoo in the world is right here in our own backyard and features a variety of animal encounters. Get the scoop on this awesome NC animal ranch in, Combine two of your faves into one amazing safari in this Outer Banks excursion to see the wild horses of Corolla. It costs $11 for ages 10 and up, including one farm feed bucket, and is $5 for ages 12 months to 9 years. Alpacas? We support wildlife conservation by raising and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife so they may be released back to the wild. Coming straight from Durham, NC, Piedmont Wildlife Center's virtual animal encounters are sure to bring smiles, laughter, and surprise to the faces of your students, campers, family, or colleagues. Welcome Spring! Overview We are a traveling Science Center and Reptile Zoo with lots of different species of reptiles, amphibians, bugs and many other science themed programs featuring fossils, rocks, chemistry and more! Text help forHELPorSTOPto cancel to 51555. (1) Bucket of feed is included with each farm admission of 10 years and older. Lions, tigers and bobcats are just three of the many species totaling more than 70 exotic animals youll see up close. Updates on Facebook. Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center is a wildlife rescue and sanctuary located near Charlotte, North Carolina. If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. 8088 Kays Drive, York, SC By participating in Dog Yoga, The zoo is on 2,600 wooded acres, about an hour and a half from the Triangle, and provides plenty of space to wander around. The Duke Lemur Center houses over 200 lemurs across 14 species, the most diverse population of lemurs on earth, with the exception of their native Madagascar. Even when lavender isnt in season, there is plenty to do. Price to visit: $10/person CURATE YOUR QUEEN CITY EXPERIENCE The Explore CLT Pass makes planning and saving a cinch with all admission tickets delivered instantly to your mobile device or email with a savings of up to 59 percent. Check. Thank you! Cold Blooded Encounters - REPTILE ZOO and SCIENCE CENTER! - GigSalad I myself enjoy this museum, butmore, On our outing at Concord Mills, we stopped here as well. Select from many unique behind-the-scenes tours of our animal habitats with the North Carolina Zoo Society! Tours are not available all year long. 3224 Medlin Road, Monroe Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC Quest at Latta Nature Preserve Exterior of Quest. (1 Hour) Meet and pet the farm animals including horse, llama, goat, pig, sheep, and more! Meet miniature horses, baby goats, pigs (tell Grunt we said hi!) We made the mistake of coming themore. Sweetwater Farms is just outside of Charlotte, but can feel like its miles away, with plenty of open space, gardens and a menagerie of rescued farm animals, including chickens, horses (including miniature horses), donkeys, goats and pigs. Animal Experiences at the Zoo | North Carolina Zoo Dallas Lavender Lane Farm If there are animal lovers in your family, you're in luck, because there are many places in the Charlotte area where you can visit animals of all kinds. Welcome to Zootastic Park, where we have a wide variety of exotic animals such as, tigers, lions, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, lemurs and more! Historic Oak View County Park ! Good Karma Ranch is offering farm tours on many days of the week. Take a guided tour to meet and greet with 2,500 beautiful and exotic birds from all over the world. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. In North Carolina, wild animals love to come out and play, often even posing for photo ops in their natural habitats. Other features of the museum include a naturalist lab and outside fun at Fort Wild and the Paw Paw Nature Trail. JOHN D. SIMMONS Charlotte Observer file photo. Aloha Safari Zoo is home to over 400 animals that were previously injured, abandoned, abused, neglected or were unable to be cared for by their previous owners. The Raptor Trail is a 3/4 miles walking trail that features more than 30 birds of prey, including falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, vultures and more. Cup of feed: $5. Tickets: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, teachers, and military members. Alpacas? 14412 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville The goats are the stars here. Ready to add some wild to your online life with an Owl Bomb or other virtual animal encounter? Some are private zoos or aquariums. 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord event : evt, A Zoo 2 You I really just want to say that I was hesitant to come here because I usually feel bad about paying to see caged animals but once I got there I was surprised that they rescue thesemore, reserve all the special side animal encounters so incredibly worth it. Our facility offers an unforgettable experience with some of our animals. Exhibits at the Pine Knoll Shores aquarium near Atlantic Beach lead you from the mountains to the sea as you follow a streams journey to the ocean, watching river otters, fish and reptiles along the way. If there are animal lovers in your family, you're in luck, because there are several places in the Triangle where you can visit animals of all kinds. To limit crowds, Carolina Raptor Center is offering only 100 tickets for each morning or afternoon session, so they recommend you purchase the ticket in advance. Thank you! In the North American region, visitors can observe animals such as the Grizzly Bear, the Red Wolf, and the Black Bear in their natural habitats. The nature centers are all within nature preserves, where you have a very good chance of spotting some wildlife when you walk the trails. Don't skip over visiting the mini-zoo to see the residents and their natural habitats. Its a HUGE park. Prodigal Farm Zootastic Park (Troutman) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go 919-707-9800 On this guided evening tour you're likely to witness the elusive Red Wolf a wolf created long, long ago from a coyote and a wolf. This exotic animal sanctuary is filled with rescues who love attention. TripAdvisor/management You may find yourself giggling at the not-at-all-bashful antics of the anteaters on the farm. } Learn more from, There aren't many places in the Tar Heel State where you can get up close and personal with a raptor (eagle, hawk, falcon, or owl), however the Carolina Raptor Center is designed for just that. Learn more in. } Horseback rides: $5. Updates on Facebook. Meet our team members, job opportunities, and much more. Feed a Caribbean Pink Flamingo Tripadvisor/management At the Sylvan Heights Bird Park, you'll get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to feed a Pink Flamingo. From outdoor recreation to animal feeding sessions, the Zoo has activities for people of all ages. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Like Darby Acres, A Zoo 2 You offers private tours, which you have to schedule in advance. The farm activities take place in the fall. Animal Care and Control - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Cool Zoo, an interactive and educational wildlife travel exhibit, which features hands-on encounters with exotic animals, will be headlining this weekend's Repticon exhibition. Goats? Pleasant, NC This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to get closer to nature in an educational setting! And whether you have kids along, or not, youre sure to enjoy getting up close and personal with some awesome creatures in the following animal encounters in North Carolina. I was going to add Darby Acres, but hadnt heard of A Zoo 2 You. Price varies depending on program. In addition, theres a miniature golf course thats free to play. The Barnyard Youll travel in a covered wagon with cushioned seating and learn all about the ranch. You need to register in advance. Tigers? We always need and welcome helpers with various tasks around the shelter as well as foster homes to keep pets out of the kennels. Evan Moore. And, of course, all procedures are subject to change in these ever-changing times. Snakes? This 150,000-plus-acre refuge was established to preserve a wetland habitat called the pocosin, a Native American word meaning swamp-on-the-hill. You can walk trails into a freshwater swamp or a cypress swamp, or take a tram or guided canoe tour to look for animals ranging from swans and river otters to black bears. There are several ways that you can help! ZOOTASTIC PARK - 209 Photos & 158 Reviews - Yelp They arent holding public tours right now, but you can arrange a private tour for $50 for three people. Enjoy one of the Zoo's seasonal attractions, open from Spring through Fall. This is a must see visit for any cat lover! Zoo visitors can also observe other exotic species such as lions, giraffes, and elephants in the African region. The safari walking tour is normally $30 a person, but right now is $15 a person. Eager to explore the wild side of North Carolina? Please text between 8 am. Lisa, thank you! The North Carolina Zoos large animal art collection magnifies nature: its beauty and complexity.