An excursion to the zoo is an all-time favorite trip with the family! The NC Zoo in Asheboro is one of the best, and we love going back time after time. This blog shares so much helpful information for anyone planning a day trip. A lot of the tips outlined in this blog – plus other information about the zoo – come straight from the NC Zoo website. It’s a great source, and we highly recommend starting your trip with a visit to its site first.

About the NC Zoo

For those of you who have never been, it’s about an hour drive from Winston-Salem which means it’s a shorter ride from High Point and Greensboro. The N.C. Zoo is the nation’s largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo. Its African and North American exhibit regions span more than 500 acres with more than five miles of walkways. The zoo has more than 1,700 animals and 40,000 plants along five miles of shaded pathways. The most popular exhibits include polar bears, elephants, gorillas, sea lions, river otters, alligators, baboons, rhinoceros, giraffes, and zebras.

NC Zoo Map

When you arrive at the N.C. Zoo, you will see that it has two regions, North America and Africa. Each region has its own parking lots and ticket booths. After you park your vehicle, be sure take note of the parking lot number or letter for easy return at the end of your visit. I recommend starting at one continent and working your way through the park then riding the tram or shuttle back to your parking lot.

NC Transportation

The N.C. Zoo offers two types of free transportation for visitors: In-Park Tram and Bus Service, and a Parking Lot Shuttle Service. Both accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, however, I would recommend using the smallest stroller possible if you plan on carrying one on (such as an umbrella stroller vs. a three-in-one stroller system or jog stroller). These buses get packed! And while they say the average wait is 20 minutes, it was a lot longer for us due to heavy visitation. It’s worth it though, especially after a long day of walking. There are tram stops within the park at the beginning of each continent and in the middle, a.k.a. Junction Plaza that regularly runs. There is also the shuttle that goes between each parking lot about every 30 minutes during April and October. If you and the family are big fans of walking, there is also a connector trail that connects the Africa and North America parking lots. The road between the North America and Africa parking lots is about one mile.

When to Visit the NC Zoo

One thing to consider as it’s an outdoor day trip location, is the weather. A trip to the zoo involves a lot of hours outside and a lot of walking. It’s a trip worthwhile for all ages, but one that’s most enjoyable if the weather is bearable. Make sure not to go when it is too warm or too cold. There isn’t a lot of shade. Don’t forget to pack the umbrellas and raincoats. Sunglasses are also a must on sunny days! Wearing comfortable shoes is also a must. If you walk the entire zoo it’s a five-mile trek!

NC Zoo Hours

The NC is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Zoo is open, rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, operating hours may change. Last entry 1 hour before closing. April-October 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November-March 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Planning the Trip

First off, do your homework. One of the TMOM team members Suzy’s daughter homeschools. When they went they did this as a field trip. She had her look at the full list of animals at the zoo and told her to pick three she did not want to miss. Even if your trip will strictly be for fun, this is a great thing to do. It allows the child to feel like they have some say over the trip and understand there is no expectation that they will see every single animal but will try to ensure they see the animals they choose. Plan to spend at least 2 hours in each “continent”– Africa and North America. The Watani Grasslands Reserve, an $8.5 million expansion of the park’s elephant & rhino exhibits. This exhibit allows you to walk out onto a long pier where they offer animal feedings at certain times of the day.

Why Families Love the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo isn’t just the largest zoo in North Carolina—it’s one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world. Unlike traditional zoos where animals are often viewed in smaller enclosures, the North Carolina Zoo features expansive habitats that give animals plenty of room to roam.

Families love that the zoo combines animal encounters, nature trails, playgrounds, educational experiences, and plenty of opportunities for kids to burn energy throughout the day.

Can You Do the NC Zoo in One Day?

Yes, you can absolutely visit the North Carolina Zoo in one day, but it helps to have a plan. Because the zoo covers more than 500 developed acres, many families spend between 4 and 8 hours exploring. If you’re visiting with younger children, consider focusing on one continent in the morning and another in the afternoon. Many families choose to start with Africa and then head to North America, but there is no wrong way to explore. If you want to experience every exhibit, playground, animal encounter, and ride, you may find yourself wishing you had a second day.

Our Suggested NC Zoo Family Itinerary

Morning

Arrive when the zoo opens.
Start with the Africa section.
Visit elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions.
Stop for snacks and water breaks.

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at one of the zoo dining locations.
Find a shaded area to rest and recharge.

Afternoon

Explore the North America section.
Visit bears, bison, cougars, and red wolves.
Spend time at the kid-friendly play areas.
Ride the carousel if available.

Before Leaving

Visit the gift shop.
Take one last animal walk before heading home.

Best Tips for Visiting the NC Zoo with Kids

The zoo is much larger than many first-time visitors expect.

A few tips can make your visit much more enjoyable:

Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Bring refillable water bottles.
Download the zoo map before arriving.
Use a stroller for younger children, even if they normally walk.
Arrive early during summer months.
Pack sunscreen and hats.
Plan extra time for playgrounds and interactive exhibits.

What Age Is Best for the NC Zoo?

The North Carolina Zoo works well for nearly every age group.

Toddlers enjoy:

Animal viewing
Playgrounds
Open spaces

Elementary-age children love:

Animal exhibits
Educational experiences
KidZone areas

Older kids and teens often appreciate:

Conservation exhibits
Behind-the-scenes experiences
Photography opportunities

Even adults frequently leave impressed by the size and beauty of the zoo.

Is the North Carolina Zoo Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Many families consider the North Carolina Zoo one of the best family attractions in the state. Between the animal exhibits, natural habitats, educational programs, seasonal events, and beautiful walking paths, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring. The zoo offers a unique experience that feels more immersive than many traditional zoos because of the expansive habitats and natural surroundings. If you’re looking for a family-friendly day trip from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, or anywhere in the Triad, the North Carolina Zoo is well worth the drive.

What to Bring to the NC Zoo

Before heading out, consider packing:

Water bottles
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen
Hats
Snacks
Portable phone charger
Stroller or wagon for younger children
Camera

The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable your visit will be.

Food at NC Zoo

Don’t forget to factor in time for lunch! We got to the zoo at 10:30 a.m. and left around 3 p.m. This allowed us enough time to experience the entire zoo. If you want to save money, then pack lunches. There are picnic tables by both continent parking lots that you can go out to use for lunch. However, if you don’t mind spending the extra money, there are some delicious food options at the zoo. We choose to eat at Wild Burger. The Carolina Chili Fries were amazing! I was pleased they had many gluten-free options throughout the zoo. Park visitors can also bring a bottled, non-alcoholic beverage and small snack into the zoo.

Air Hike Ropes Course

We also gave the Air Hike Ropes Course a shot. It is located in Africa, by the Lemur Island. It was a lot of fun, but next time I’ll be certain to wear tennis shoes with some grip on them. Kids must be a certain height to do the rope course. If they are over 48” tall but under 60” they can go but must be accompanied by someone who is over 60”. Which is how I ended up on the course with my daughter, but it was worth it!

North Carolina Zoo Giraffes — Credit: VisitNC.com

Learning at the NC Zoo

As a homeschooling parent, I loved that there were so many interactive and fun learning tools at most exhibits. Sarah was able to learn so many fun facts about each of the animals we saw. She also watches a lot of documentaries on animals and really surprised me with a lot of the facts she already knew.

Another thing she enjoyed and was a great learning experience was being in charge of the map. Letting the kids help point the way really lets them feel like they are helping Mom.

Free Ticket to NC Zoo

Every child in the state of North Carolina gets a free trip to the NC Zoo, which for public school kids is in the form of a field trip. To my fellow homeschool parents, don’t feel excluded because they each get a free trip too. You must pre-register online through here. It even includes one complimentary adult admission per reservation.

Future Fun at the NC Zoo

My daughter and I were excited to hear that not only will the NC Zoo celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, but they will be opening a new ‘continent’ – Asia. This will include new animals such as red pandas, komodo dragons, tigers, and cranes. The red panda is my daughter’s favorite animal, so needless to say she was beyond ecstatic to hear this!

NC Zoo Membership

You can probably tell from this blog and our photos, that we are already planning our next day trip to the NC Zoo! Start planning your visit by visiting nczoo.org or just head over to 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205 to see all this fun for yourself! A year membership is only $69 for an individual and $109 for a family. There is a slight discount to buy a 2 year membership.

As for the rest of your trip, here are some tips and suggestions the Zoo suggests you take note of before you plan your visit…

Arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds! The Zoo opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm (it closes at 4 pm between November and March).

It takes between four to six hours to see the entire park. There are over five miles of trails through the two exhibit regions, North America and Africa. If you arrive mid-day, you might choose to tour just one region.

When you arrive, please check the animal status boards located outside the admissions windows. The boards will give you daily information about feeding times, keeper talks, and which animals might be off-exhibit.

At the admission booth, you will receive a free Visitor Guide. The guide includes animals, exhibits, and trail names which correspond with park signs to help you navigate through the Zoo.

And to get the best out of your animal-watching experience, here are some tips from animal keepers…

•As a general rule, animals tend to be more active in the morning than in the afternoon.
•The animals will not respond to calls, whistles, or tapping on the glass. Your best bet is to remain quiet and watchful.
•Some animals tend to stay in the back of their exhibit near the Zoo’s closing. In large exhibits, animals might be harder to see at the end of the day.
•Many animals use “camouflage techniques,” so be patient and look closely.
•Use your senses, like hearing, to help you find an animal. In the Aviary, listen for the rustle of leaves. Look up in the canopy and near the ground to find birds.

Enjoy Your Day Trip to the NC Zoo

While I’m all for planning, be sure to remember sometimes you have to plan to have no expectations. One reason, outside of the fun we had seeing everything, that this was one of our favorite day trips was we went into it with no real expectations other than just enjoying ourselves and seeing some cool animals! As moms, we often set slightly unrealistic expectations on how trips should go, and let’s face it traveling anywhere with kids never seems to go quite the way we think!

Get lots of pictures – not just of the animals but of you and your kids enjoying the trip. The ‘extras’ really do make the difference, or did for us. My daughter, even as a tween, still loved to ride the carousel.

By TMoM Team

See more Day Trip ideas here!

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Frequently Asked Questions About the North Carolina Zoo

Can you do the NC Zoo in one day?

Yes. Most families can see the highlights of the North Carolina Zoo in one day, although many visitors spend 4–8 hours exploring the exhibits, trails, and attractions.

How much does it cost to visit the NC Zoo?

Admission prices vary by season and age group. Check the zoo’s website for current ticket pricing, discounts, and special promotions before your visit.

How long does it take to go through the North Carolina Zoo?

Most visitors spend between 4 and 8 hours at the North Carolina Zoo. Families with younger children may move at a slower pace, while animal enthusiasts often stay all day.

Is the NC Zoo worth visiting?

Yes. The North Carolina Zoo is widely considered one of the best family attractions in North Carolina thanks to its large natural habitats, diverse animal collection, educational experiences, and family-friendly atmosphere.