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1. a small zoo (there was one in Youngsville a while back -- it was too tough for the owners to keep up, and the land is now a housing development). There are other options to see animals including the Tiger Rescue, Durham Science Center (bears), and a few other places. I don't think we'll ever see a Triangle Zoo.
b. an aquarium -- for sure. There's at least one at the beach, but it's too far to drive!
That would be awesome! We just moved from Baltimore, which has an fantastic aquarium, a great compliment to kid friendly activities. We lived in the Philly suburbs as well and frequently went to a small suburban zoo, great for small kids. I'll post separately about Philly's Baby loves disco Sunday's as well as their kids music concerts - we had a blast living in center city Philadelphia with our 1-2 year old at the time and I think things like that would do well here too.
That's funny because I was just thinking the other day how Raleigh needs some sort of zoo close to downtown. I think something small like a petting zoo would work pretty well. The aquarium would be another great idea. That is the best idea I have heard that is do-able for downtown. We should bring these ideas up to the city leaders and hope one day it can be reality.
Nope. I like 'em where they are. NC has an award-winning zoo in Asheboro with some of the largest natural habitats out there, and the aquarium(s) belong at the coast, IMO.
Love the new wing of the Natural Sciences museum, though. Perfect for Raleigh.
The Asheboro zoo is too far away and requires too much walking. I love zoos, and I'll never go again. I like large zoos, e.g., San Diego Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, but they are better organized and easier to see.
Duke primate center (lemurs) and Carolina Tiger Rescue (tigers, lions, ocelot, caracal, bobcat, mountail lion) offer as up close and experience as you will ever get (hint...if a tiger turns its back to you, look out). I repeat, there is no place else in the country like these two facilities. Take advantage of them.
Animal feedings at the Museum of Life and Science are also an incredible experience. I've taken my kids to meet the bears a couple of times, and they can't stop talking about it.
Duke primate center (lemurs) and Carolina Tiger Rescue (tigers, lions, ocelot, caracal, bobcat, mountail lion) offer as up close and experience as you will ever get (hint...if a tiger turns its back to you, look out). I repeat, there is no place else in the country like these two facilities. Take advantage of them.
Animal feedings at the Museum of Life and Science are also an incredible experience. I've taken my kids to meet the bears a couple of times, and they can't stop talking about it.
Agreed!!!
There's also the Conservator's Center out by Mebane. You can even volunteer with them for an up close experience.
Nothing beats being so close to a jaguar that you might be eaten.
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I'd have a hard time with adding a zoo to the Triangle given how great the Asheboro facility is. It is a lot of walking, but there are trams, and the naturescape/attempts to bring in natural habitats are terrific.
It really is an ideal location for a state amenity, 60-90 minutes from the Triangle, Triad and Charlotte. Hard to think of a more ideal space.
We've had little ones visit us and places like the Museum of Life & Science in Durham have seemed to meet the need for the mini-zoo, but we've also taken kids then to Asheboro and had a good time with them there.
For an aquarium, if you ever get the chance, head to downtown Chattanooga, TN, which is a really nice city center and has a great aquarium and a big park right on their riverfront.
The Asheboro zoo is too far away and requires too much walking. I love zoos, and I'll never go again. I like large zoos, e.g., San Diego Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, but they are better organized and easier to see.
After hearing the great reviews, I was very disappointed when I went to the San Diego Zoo last year. Most animals are in small cages, not the more natural environment like in Asheboro. It also seemed like I was constantly dodging school groups and other large groups, vs the more relaxed atmosphere at our Zoo. Yes, the NC Zoo requires walking and sometimes binoculars, but I much prefer it to circus-like environment elsewhere.
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