Two tiny children lie on their bellies, peering at the desert tortoise as it munches on its “salad” snack. They point and quietly confer in giddy, breathy whispers. It moves slowly, chomping on the leaf. It pauses before darting its head out, snapping up another leaf in a blink, and the children giggle with delight. Their quiet awe is a far cry from their high-speed chase across the Treetop Trail that occurred at the Kidzone just moments before. From quiet and reverent to interactive and thrilling, these experiences are among the hundreds that inspire wonder at the North Carolina Zoo (click here to read about one writer’s first time introducing her 1-year-old son to the zoo’s residents).
While this is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, with 1,700 animals across more than 2,800 acres, the facility offers exciting “extras” to make the visit all the more memorable and engaging for young visitors. Read on for 10 kid-friendly experiences to level up your visit.
Get your Zoo Trekker guide stamped at the kiosks as you complete its suggested quests. Photography courtesy of North Carolina Zoo
Start your visit by picking up a Zoo Trekker activity guide. Complete with quests in varying levels of difficulty, this interactive guide encourages young visitors to learn and document their observations. Upon completing a quest, you can get your guide stamped by one of the staff members at the Kidzone, an Investigation Station, or a Zoo Trekker kiosk. If you complete six or more quests during your visit (or over the course of multiple visits), you’ll earn a Zoo Trekker souvenir pin.
The Kidzone is home to different nooks and natural features that let young visitors’ imaginations run wild. Photography courtesy of North Carolina Zoo
If your little ones need to release some wiggles before climbing into the tram or guided golf cart or Zoofari bus, turn them loose in the enclosed play space in front of the zoo’s North America entrance. Throughout the year, they can scamper across the Treetop Trail’s swinging bridge, practice their fort building skills, and “cook” in the earthen Mud Café. From April through October, Animal Encounters brings animal ambassadors to the Kidzone where children can see and interact with them while learning about their habits and lifestyles. (Animal Encounters are subject to weather and staff availability.)
Zoo visitors can learn from educators, take a Zoofari tour, and spot their favorite animals, like rhinos. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
You don’t need a plane ticket to embark on a safari experience. Climb aboard the Zoofari Ford F-550 and enjoy a bouncy, off-road excursion to see the animals roaming in the 40-acre Watani Grasslands habitat. As you move between the herds of white rhinos, fringe-eared oryxes, ostriches, and kudu, your safari guide details fascinating facts about the individual animals and their interactions with their fellow residents. Time it right and you might glimpse an African elephant in the habitat to the north, too. Tours run Thursday to Sunday from April through October and depart from Junction Plaza.
A zookeeper talks about C’sar the elephant during one of the Meet the Keeper sessions. Photography courtesy of North Carolina Zoo
Watch the zookeepers interact with the zoo’s animal residents. From daily feedings to training sessions and enrichment activities, these experts share insight about the innerworkings of the zoo and how they help the animals thrive. Meet the Keeper sessions involve a variety of animals throughout the year. You can check the schedule here to learn about the dates and times for different sessions, but be on the lookout for “Meet the Keeper” signs outside of habitats with the session time listed.
It’s about a five-mile roundtrip to explore the zoo on foot. However, there are various ways to cover major ground with speed and ease — no blistered ankles required. Trams shuttle visitors between the North America and Africa sections with a stop at Junction Plaza in between. But you can turn transit into a tour with the Ride-and-Guide experience. Climb aboard your family’s personal golf cart as a member of the North Carolina Zoo Society drives your crew to the zoo’s different habitats. With tour lengths ranging from one-and-a-half hours to a half-day long, you can dedicate your time to seeing your favorite animals or enjoy a leisurely pace throughout the entire campus. Along the way, your guide will divulge fun facts about the animals and habitats you visit. On Saturdays from late March to late October, VIP tours are available for a special behind-the-scenes look at the animals and a chance to see the keepers in action. VIP tours are limited to a handful of guests and you must register in advance; learn more about upcoming tours here.
As you make your way between the zoo’s habitats, break for playtime at the complementing structures and exhibits that dot the paths. Scamper up the massive logs like a gorilla might or wander into the colossal beehive next to The Bee’s Garden. Beyond animal make-believe, you can even step into the researchers’ shoes with opportunities like climbing in the cockpit of a helicopter at the Elephant Tracking Station as though preparing to embark on a flight over the African grasslands.
Embark on an adventure amidst the dense clusters of trees. With two experiences offered — the Treehouse Trek and Air Hike — all ages can embrace a monkey-like agility in these high-ropes courses. The Treehouse Trek is designed for younger children, with rope bridges to climb between treehouses. The adjacent Air Hike welcomes participants 60-inches tall and up and invites climbers to strap into a harness and to navigate their way between 12 elevated platforms via a tightrope, plank walk, swinging logs, and more.
With a little planning ahead, you can feed giraffes during your visit to the zoo. Photography courtesy of North Carolina Zoo
Is there anything more delightful than holding an outstretched romaine leaf to a 16-foot-tall giraffe and watching its long tongue wrap around your offering? Maybe, but we’d be hard-pressed to come up with one. From April through October, you can come eye to eye with these towering creatures at the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed a giraffe and offers visitors a unique, tree-top view of the animals. You can purchase Giraffe Deck tickets at the Acacia Station.
Lace up your shoes and explore the network of hiking trails surrounding the zoo. Photography courtesy of North Carolina Zoo
Beyond the zoo’s internal network of paths between the different habitats, this is your starting point to access five hiking areas to explore the natural surroundings. These areas are loaded with local significance, ranging from Randolph County’s moonshining history to protected areas in the Uwharrie Mountains. From the North American parking lot, you can access the Purgatory Mountain Trails that lead through native hardwood forests and past rock formations and wild flora and fauna. The shortest trail is .2 miles — ideal for little legs.
After visiting all the animals, children can climb upon a fiberglass version of their favorite and take a ride around the 36-foot Endangered Species Carousel. Made up of endangered species seen within the zoo, from zebras to gorillas and even a polar bear, the ride is complete with retro music and whimsical lights. Afterwards, treat everyone to a cone of soft-serve ice cream from Connections Creamery next door.
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