Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It's a lot of walking with young kids. It's a really good zoo....went with my daughter on her second grade trip (she's in HS now). I believe at this time of year only one of the entrances is open....which is fine....start there and it's down hill most of the way. On the way back take the tram to the entrance. But if your kids aren't good walkers or won't go in the stroller they might be a bit young.
I always enjoyed that zoo when my kids were younger. Bring a stroller and keep your expectations realistic about seeing everything. We would usually just try to do one section (usually Africa). There's a really nice picnic area outside if you want to stick a cooler in the car, and the playground is well done too.
It involves a lot of walking, so bring a stroller. Trams are available and those can come in handy at the end of the day. That being said, I *love* the NC Zoo and absolutely *loved* going there during the cooler weather months. Those are the best times to see it, IMO. It's a great experience because so much of the zoo is spaced far apart, which makes it feel less like a traditional zoo and more like a (long) nature walk. The area in which the rhinos are is downright impressive because of the space. You might even want to take a pair of binoculars just in case they are at the far end of the field.
One thing to note if visiting during cooler weather -- they don't let the large African animals out until the temperature reaches 45 degrees. So if it turns a little chilly and you arrive early in the day, you might want to plan to see other parts of the zoo until it warms up a bit.
I really enjoyed the NC Zoo and so did my kids at that age.
With a 2 year old, I'd choose the Columbia Zoo. Its a lot less walking and the animals are more accessible because of small open habitats. I appreciate the NC zoo for what it is - more humane for the animals (large habitats with plenty of room for animals to act naturally -i.e. avoid humans) and a very nice botanical garden. I'm not sure a 2 year old would appreciate those qualities.
You'll see more riding the zoo TRAM, as exhibits are well spaced out...of course that might be hard with strollers, but it saves a lot of walking between exhibits.
There are several indoor exhibits that I would suggest so the young children can get close up...
Last edited by greatblueheron; 11-09-2018 at 09:16 AM..
It’s not just kids that get walked to extreme. We took my dad, who, at the time, walked 18 regularly, and I was afraid we were going to have to airlift him out. Finally flagged down a maintenance vehicle which gave him (and me) a lift.
I took my kids there plenty when they were that age. We did not use strollers much. Had a baby carrier that I used some. If you're a reasonably fit human being it's not bad at all. My main exercise is walking the dog. I'm not a runner and don't belong to a gym. Not a problem at all for us. It's a really great zoo. I can't stand the zoos with small enclosures. There are some exhibits at the NC zoo where I wish the enclosure was bigger too, but overall it's a very nice zoo.
We never rode the tram.
They had a great playground at that time (10 yrs ago now) with oversized gourds and spider webs for the kids to climb around. It was fantastic. I have some wonderful memories and photos of my kids and me in the gourd.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
