A weekend activity with the kids is a must. Especially when they are young. North Carolina has a bunch of activities for kids (and adults) with animals, from the Zoo in Asheboro to a tiger rescue, you will find tons of different options to explore and enjoy.
Asheboro Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo is located on wooded 2,600 acres centrally located in the heart of North Carolina, just south of Asheboro in Randolph County. With 500 acres developed, it is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and one of two state-supported zoos.
Duke Lemur Center
The Duke Lemur Center is an 85-acre sanctuary for rare and endangered strepsirrhine primates, located at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is the largest sanctuary for strepsirrhine primates in the world. The center is open to the public through tours, for which visitors must make an appointment.
Aloha Safari
Lee Crutchfield is on a mission to rescue animals in need. He currently holds a license for up to 500 animals, although Aloha Safari Zoo tops out at about 450. Lee works non-stop to provide animals a refuge where they can peacefully live out the remainder of their lives. Animals of various species, many of which are exotic, have found a sanctuary in an educational zoo that Crutchfield, his family and a small team of dedicated individuals have labored to create. The zoo is over 60-acres and opened to the public January 2010.
NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Atlantic Beach)
From the mountains to the sea … feel the spray of a mountain waterfall. Watch river otters play. Touch a stingray. Look a shark in the eye. Explore shipwrecks — without getting wet. See a rare white sea turtle. Thousands of aquatic animals take you on a journey from the state’s grand peaks to the open Atlantic, much like a raindrop makes its way to the ocean.
Animal Ed.ventures Sanctuary
Located in the rural outskirts of Coats, NC, we offer sanctuary to Creatures Great and Small.
A Wildlife Sanctuary turned Peace-Park-for-All, we are on a Crusade against “two of society’s most dangerous plagues – Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD!) – and Inter-social degradation disease (ISDD!)!” We invite you to disconnect from technology, reconnect to Nature and each other and join us as apostles of cohabitive peace!!
We provide onsite education, inspiration, and connection, and we network with facilities and carers worldwide, consulting on husbandry, handling, and the clinical and critical aspects of Conservation and Wildlife-in-care across the globe…Here’s to the betterment of life for ALL species!
Carolina Tiger Rescue
Carolina Tiger Rescue is a nonprofit wildcat sanctuary in Pittsboro, North Carolina, that offers public tours and field trips and is home to rescued tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, caracals, servals, bobcats, and other wild animals.
The Greensboro Science Center is a science museum and zoological park established in 1957 and located in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 2008, and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums.
Lynwood ParkZoo
Lynnwood Park Zoo is a veteran owned and operated sanctuary that first opened in 1990. The mission of our facility is to connect the public with wildlife through education. We are unique in that our animals hail from various backgrounds such as private owner surrenders, rescue situations, other facilities downsizing or shutting down, rehabilitated animals unfit to be released back into the wild, and relocations. Every animal has a story. Be sure to ask a keeper or volunteer if you have any questions about anyone in particular