A Hidden NC Gem for Families…read more We had the most amazing time at Aloha Zoo in Cameron this week -- it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves! From the moment we arrived, our toddlers were wide-eyed with excitement, and the fun didn't stop. We explored exhibits featuring monkeys, hyenas, tigers, crocodiles, giraffes, and so many other animals -- each one more fascinating than the last. A highlight for our little ones (and us!) was getting to feed the animals -- it's such an interactive, up-close experience that they'll be talking about for a long time. But hands down, the most unforgettable part was the drive-through safari. Where else can a camel stick its head through your car window and nearly steal your taco bowl? This zoo is a perfect, family-friendly adventure with a personal, welcoming feel. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun, memorable day trip. We'll definitely be back!

This is such a cool safari park... its a hidden gem TBH. They have farm animals which you can pet…read moreand larger animals you can observe and get relatively close too. Of course their big attraction is the drive thru animal park which you take your own car along a dirt trail and can feed (if you choose) various animals. The price for this place will not break the bank. A couple of observations to improve: 1) It needs to be maintained more... some of the exhibits just feel like add-ons on top of add-ons and it feels dated. 2) A refresh and modernization to the walking trails would be good. 3) A proper cafe or even drink stations with covered seating would be nice. Something more than just random popup trailers. 4) A more permanent (possibly lit) sign off highway 87 would be nice (if possible) Again this place is awesome, would come back!

This was such an awesome experience, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Keep in mind these…read morepeople are volunteers this establishment runs off of people like you and me visiting and donations. This is not a zoo it's a sanctuary and rescue and I highly respect what they do here. it takes a lot, more that I can probably fathom to rescue and care for all the animals they have here (they do have a lot) from a variety of turtles, tons of different birds that were beautiful, monkeys, horses, donkeys, a camel, cats, dogs, raccoons, fox, bunnies, reptiles, ant eater, bats, pigs, the list goes on. You can tell these animals are well cared for as well, just keep in mind that they are rescues and we don't know what they have been through before they arrived. the entrance fee is more than reasonable for the experience.

The 5 stars is for the overall experience. It's an animal rescue on a personal property, it is not…read morea "zoo" that being said we saw some things we have never seen in a typical zoo. You also get up close to the animals but they are still in enclosures. For $15 a person it's more than reasonable and you know your money goes to helping the animals. If you are traveling on I-95 this is 12 minutes off the Benson exit. A great break on your long drive on I-95. Walking surfaces are natural, not paved or concrete, please consider this when choosing your footwear!

The North Carolina Zoo is one of our favorite places to visit as a family. We have been coming here…read morefor years, from when our children were young to now bringing our four year old granddaughter, and it never gets old. The experience is always enjoyable. The zoo is clean, well organized, and offers a very interactive environment that keeps everyone engaged. There is a lot of walking, but that is part of the charm and allows for a more natural setting for the animals. Food is about what you would expect from a large attraction and can be on the expensive side, but the overall experience more than makes up for it. We have never had a bad visit here. It is a place we will keep coming back to, and we are excited to see the new Asia section they are adding this year.

We got to the zoo when it opened on a Sunday. 9 AM. In my opinion, if you can't get there early,…read morethen don't go. We parked in Africa and we thought the animals in Africa were great ! Maybe because it was early and they were pretty active. By the time we got to the North America side, the animals seemed to be less visible. It was hot out. We only stayed until just after NOON. It got so crowded !!! A lemonade was $10 ! No idea how much the food was but ---- NO !!! Bring your water bottles and snacks. Employees were friendly and beyond helpful. Restrooms are pretty spred out so plan accordingly. After just over 3 hours, we walked over 9000 steps. Go EARLY !!!!!

VERY INFORMATIVE! Totally worth supporting!…read moreBeautiful creatures! The tour guides were lovely . I will bring all out of town guests!

This was my first time at Carolina Tiger Rescue - I was a chaperone for my child's field trip…read more They had a little trouble finding all of the parent waivers when we first arrived, but they got it all sorted out. Our tour was great and very informative. Our guide was extremely patient with all the questions the little kids had. We got to see several different types of tigers and servals. They have some other animals there too, but some were either not out where we could see them or are nocturnal. Some of the stories about the animals are just heartbreaking but to be expected since they are all rescued animals. They had a spot with picnic tables where our group was able to eat after the tour before we left. One other thing to note if you come with a larger group - they only have 2 public bathrooms located in the gift shop. We had some long lines with all the kiddos, but we made it work.

Amazing for families with young children! Went with our 1 and 3 year old and it was perfect for…read moreboth age ranges. Love that almost everything is just included in admission and didn't need to worry about extra tickets. Will definitely be back! We went in March and it was beautiful weather. There was a good bit of shade provided through either trees or tents, but I could see it be brutal in the summer heat and sun.

Love this place! We had a blast during family day feeding the animals and just strolling around the…read morefarm.

My friends and I went to the Capybara experience where we visited and pet the capybaras. I was…read moreskeptical about the experience at first because the price tag, but it was worth every penny! I will definitely take advantage of other wildlife experiences.

We traveled four hours so my daughter could see a capybara, and the experience exceeded our…read moreexpectations. The farm is beautifully maintained with a diverse range of animals, including many exotic birds. The owner and staff were exceptionally welcoming and knowledgeable. The capybara encounter was a highlight--being able to feed and interact one-on-one made it truly special. Highly recommend. 10/10.

We hired Jude's Ark for my toddler's birthday but as an option everyone could enjoy because she has…read moreolder brothers. EVERYONE enjoyed Jude's Ark - including the adults! My eight year old asked if they could come back for his birthday. The husband-wife team was professional, friendly, extremely patient and clearly passionate about the animals. The animals were all adorable and friendly and you get to touch all of them and hold many of them. Cost is extremely reasonable ($150 for one hour), no additional cost to come to our house in the Apex/Holly Springs area. They set up 30 minutes before and give you the option of a petting zoo style event or an educational half hour with touching followed by 30 minutes to interact more and hold many of the animals. We loved the educational half hour. The kids were fascinated by all of the animals. Don't opt out of the snake and tarantula, surprisingly those didn't feel as scary as I expected and the tarantula was even cute, he "high fives" everyone. I'm not sure I could pick a favorite animal. The bird was so sweet and kept laughing during the presentation. The hedgehog was adorable, as were the ferret, sugar glider and rabbit. Plenty of options for reptile-lovers too! Highly recommend.

A must see! So, so fun! The farm animals are very sweet, and the ice cream is delicious…read more Highly recommend!

It was amazing my 5 year old loved it everyone was so sweet she loved the enter action with the…read moreanimals and the animals are very dossal it was a nice place to go and let the baby have fun!

Very interesting for all ages. Great use of the natural landscape for animal enclosures and…read morehabitats. My personal favorite was the butterfly house. Especially loved the pollinator garden outside the insect building. Climbing feature was well loved by the little in our group. The digging for artifacts and fossils was appreciated by the teen in our group. Red wolf exhibit was awesome once we spotted the mom dad and baby on video. Also appreciated the sensory room.

Museum was pretty big but not fit for children above the age of 10-11. Cool activities but the kids…read morethere hog all of the main games and the parents dont really care. Overall not bad and costed 40$ for 2 people adults pay 24 and 5-15 year olds pay 19$ the quality of the museum was cool but they dont let you pet the animals outside . Paper airplane launches but train wasnt there. Overall kinda pricey for what it is but the space section was pretty cool. Avoid the kids,as a kid myself they were pretty rude and even stole the activity i was in the middle of doing,shame on the parents for letting that happen.

The Animal Park at the Conservators Center is a non-profit wildlife center in Burlington that's…read morededicated to abandoned and rescued exotic animals. It's a sanctuary with a focus on the animals' well-being where the residents get to live out their lives with genuine dignity in a safe, caring environment. If you are looking for a typical zoo experience where you can show up without planning ahead and gawk at caged animals for entertainment, this isn't the place for you -- and that is exactly why I love it. What makes it special to me is the meaningful mission and intimate guided walking tours of 10-15 participants led by dedicated, knowledgeable volunteers that last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. You aren't just looking at animals, you're meeting survivors. Most of the residents -- from lions and tigers to wolves and lemurs -- come from difficult backgrounds or private owners who couldn't care for them. If you're lucky, you'll hear the lions vocalizing -- a deep, rhythmic sound the staff calls "oofing." It literally vibrates in your chest and is something I'll never forget. PRO TIP #1: Reservations are a must. Because it's a wildlife sanctuary, you have to take a guided walking tour led by volunteer guides that share the individual backstories of the animals and answer (or find someone on staff who can answer) any questions you may have, which makes the experience so much more impactful than a self-guided walk. Limited weekend-only hours and required reservations mean you have to plan ahead due to volunteers' availability. PRO TIP #2: The habitats are designed for the residents' comfort and enrichment, not for yours. Expect unpaved gravel and dirt paths, so wear mud-friendly shoes or rain boots if it's been raining.

All the animals looked content well fed and clean! Probably the healthiest specimens I have seen…read morewhen visiting these types of places. The place is clean and is a supervised walking tour. There are no hands on or petting and feeding here. No loose companion animals. This is a very serious place with more rigid rules and expectations than similar experiences. Affordable and enjoyable if you are interested in various species of cats! Trail is not paved so mobility could be hard for some.