Our trip to the NC Zoo (in Asheboro NC)
This past weekend, we crossed another item off our bucket list. We visited the NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC. We originally tried to plan this trip for Father’s Day weekend, but couldn’t get a hotel room anywhere in town. We stayed at a Fairfield Inn and the night before the zoo was pretty tough. I took the toddler swimming, hoping he’d fall asleep earlier. He didn’t fall asleep until almost 10:30. And he woke up around 6:30.
Quick savings tip about the NC zoo: We bought general admission tickets. I read somewhere they gave discounts for AAA members, and we got $1 off each ticket. We paid $29 for two adults and one child. I just had to ask about the AAA discount, and showed my card (even though my card showed an expired date – I know I renewed it in May, I just haven’t received the new card.) Just ask about discounts!
We arrived at the zoo a few minutes before they opened at 9 a.m. We started with the Africa side, knowing they were the animals our son would be most interested in (it was also World Giraffe Day. I was excited about the giraffes.)
Did you know that lions sleep up to 21 hours a day? We were just lucky that this one (and his lioness – not pictured here – )were sleeping out in the open.
I love that gorillas are into baby wearing. (I used to love wearing my baby around!)
Sorry (not sorry) for the overload of photos. The exhibits were great. Most were large enough that they had signs warning visitors that you may not see the animals. Either the exhibits were very large, or the animals had the option of going back indoors. (It was warm. The polar bears did not want to be outside!)
I love large zoos that try to mimic the animal’s natural habitat.
In several sections, there were statues, playgrounds or play areas for kids. We let our boy play a bit in between walking. There was so much walking.
Right after seeing the flamingos (which now ranks as one of my favorite exhibits), we walked indoors to look at the birds…and my son dropped his water bottle over a fenced area. Thankfully, the nice staff person retrieved it. And Lucas was put back in his stroller. Then this guy (below) flew over my head and landed on a nearby branch. He watched me closely.
We walked the zoo for about 4.5 hours. We did stop for a quick lunch (you could bring your own, though, and have a picnic just outside the main entrances.) We brought bottles of water and a few snacks. And we were all very well sunscreen-ed. The toddler fell asleep quickly once we got into the car.
And there are hundreds more photos that I’m not sharing. Just know it was a fabulous day. This was my second visit to the NC Zoo and I can’t wait to go again! (Maybe in the fall. When it’s much cooler.)
Do you have a zoo nearby where you live? Have you ever visited the NC Zoo?
Looks like a great zoo….we are planning our summer zoo trip. We love spending the day at the zoo. Milwaukee is also a large zoo that likes to have the animals in their habitat!
My daughters and I love the zoo! What a great way to spend the day.
The animals were really active while you were there! Great pictures and memories
Zoos are so great for families with littles. I’m feeling a bit like that lion today!
That looks like a great zoo. My boys always love a trip to the zoo, too!!
This looks like so much fun. Love visiting zoos.
We’ve only been there once, but we had so much fun. It’s a really nice zoo.
I didn’t know AAA discounted at zoos! Super idea to ask about that. Looks like you guys had a great time!
I went to the NC Zoo last summer and was blown away! On top of getting an excellent workout- so much walking… the exhibits were excellent and the animals seem well taken care of!
I love going to zoos! You got some great photos of the animals. Love the photo in the egg too!
We absolutely love the zoo!! It’s so much fun for the whole family! We haven’t made it yet this year but it’s definitely on our summer to do list!
What a great looking zoo! I didn’t know lions slept so long, but that explains why they’re always asleep when we take our visits to the zoo. 🙂
I took my son there a couple of years ago and it was super busy but we had a great time. Just once I would like to find some wakeful lions at any zoo! 🙂
I love going to the zoo. It is like a vacation from the ordinary. You almost forget where you are.
I love going to the zoo. I’m always in awe of the giraffes! I remember the first time I saw a giraffe in person, I couldn’t believe they were REALLY that big!
I grew up in Durham, NC.- until I was 12. that was the zoo that I went to when I was a kid!
We do have a few zoos nearby but haven’t been to the NC one. Love the sign about the kids/lions 🙂 Glad you had fun – you must have all been worn out after 4-1/2 hours walking!
What a great zoo! I’ve been to the one in Colombia (very nice) but not our NC one. Guess I need to make a list too!
That lion just laying there sleeping is so cute! And that bird is GORGEOUS.
Looks like a great zoo. I had no idea lions slept that much. We haven’t been to the zoo in a while. We had season passes to the San Diego zoo one here and and it was a ton of fun to go.
I just love hippos and elephants! Looks like a fun trip. My husbands father and step mother pay for his AAA card every year. We have gotten in the habit of asking about the discount whenever we travel. One of these days I should write a post of places here in MI that take the AAA for discounts.
We have Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo here in Chicago. The NC Zoo looks very nice! We’ve also been to the one in San Diego, they have a great zoo too.
That looks like an awesome zoo – I love the egg photo opp! We live a few minutes from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and go a lot during the Summer.
I love zoos! I like hearing aobut different zoos around the country.
I love his little hat! 🙂 Looks like a great family day!
I love the zoo! How could you not!? It looks like you had a great family day.
That lion sure has the right idea. A nice little mid day nap. We are on the same page. I love that the zoo has posted signs about not getting on the guardrails.
It looks like they have some great animals at that zoo. Mine doesn’t have a nice selection to look at, so it’s nice to learn about new zoos that we could visit in the future!
What fun you had! I love babywearing too! My older son is obsessed with giraffes!! Your son is too cute!
We love the zoo here, it’s tiny but still fun. Or I love it I shoudl say, my kids haven’t been yet…that’s a must do for us soon. Would love to visit the NC zoo sometime.
Looks like a really fun zoo with lots more than we have here. I love going to zoos and actually have plans on going to the one in Denver next week.
Awesome day! sounds like a FABULOUS zoo!! LOVE that last pic!
We love the NC zoo. It use to be about a 2 hr drive from where we lived and went for a day trip there a few times. They have one of the best playgrounds I have ever seen! I love the big open enclosures too. We have been to tons of zoos, PA, TX, TN, GA and LA. I still think the NC zoo is the best!!!