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    Fort Chiswell Animal Park

    4.7 (22 reviews)
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    Puff the camel
    Kimmy A.

    THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!! We got to see, feed, & touch so many super cool animals. It's very hands on & interactive. The tour guide was very informative & did a great job with sharing her knowledge of the animals living there. It's reasonably priced & worth every penny. My husband was almost as excited as the little ones on the bus. He got to feed camels, a bison, & a giraffe, amongst others. I would love to go back & do this again in the near future. As I understand it, some of these animals are brought here to be rehabbed, then live out their lives in as natural a habitat as these folks can create. What a great endeavor for these folks to undertake. Rock on, Fort Chiswell Animal Park!!

    Hungry camel
    John G.

    For a small local zoo we were impressed, don't expect lions and tigers but many field type animals, birds including zebra, emeu, lama, camel, giraffe, ostrich and more. Petting area and a short bus ride gets you close to the animals, allows you to feed most by hand at a small cost. Great for children and animal lovers of all ages.

    Feed a baby giraffe, camel, bison, .... so much more!!
    Petrina B.

    Came across it on our way up to Bristol. Wasn't sure what to expect because I didn't do any research. I wanted to take time to rate our visit 5 Stars!!!! Super fun!! So unexpected! Friendly!! Will educate you, entertain you, and get you laughing!!

    Tiffany B.

    We brought the kids here and they loved it. Especially the birds talking to them. Feeding the animals on the bus tour was so much fun. And very entertaining with one of the camels....loved playing g game of "let me take all the food...and containers" lol. Kids had a great time. Will be back.

    Llama in the petting zoo

    Driving home to New Jersey from Tennessee and found this place off I-81 and I do not regret it! The animals are very friendly and have plenty of room to roam around. The animals are very used to people and are very receptive to being pet and fed. The staff is great and knowledgeable! While waiting for the safari bus, you find yourself in the petting zoo with alpacas, llamas, deer, a tortoise, goats, monkeys, and birds, all of which are comfortable with you and easy to feed. The bus takes you to visit some of the larger animals, including zebras, bison, water buffalos, emus, and a camel named Puff. Puff is EXTREMELY outgoing and will take you by surprise with his boldness around people. Puff was rescued from a circus where he was starved to keep his humps from getting too large and he couldn't be in a better home now. I highly recommend stopping by and spending an afternoon with the animals when you're traveling along I-81. 5/5 stars!!

    Following the safari bus!
    Anika S.

    This place goes on my top ten best experiences EVER. I am from CT and on a road trip with friends and we came across this safari park and petting zoo, where you can see, pet, and feed amazing animals! I pet a goat, a bison, a camel, an ostrich and so many more rare creatures I've only seen on tv! It was only $12!! The staff was genuinely HAPPY to see us enjoying ourselves and nothing seemed to burden them. The guide speaking and the man driving were full of useful and personal information about each animal and I was almost moved to tears by the opportunity to be so close and able to touch these magestic creatures! It is so far away from where I live, but I will absolutely be returning some day!

    Stephanie L.

    If you only have time to visit one place in the area, make sure it's this safari. It was by far the best experience I had! For $12 you take an interactive bus tour where you get to see, pet and feed ($5 for a bag of animal feed) many exotic animals. There's also a petting zoo outside the gift shop where you can feed and pet animals while you wait for the tour.

    Can't get more unique than that!!
    Anna P.

    I love this place! Went with family, kids included, & everyone enjoyed it! There's a petting zoo area with animals that aren't very common. Then you can take a safari bus ride around the farm & camels, bison, wildebeest, zebras & more walk up to your bus window and you can feed them. It's a great overall experience for the southwest VA area! Not many people know about it so its not very busy, but it deserves all the attention it can get!

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    Ask the Community - Fort Chiswell Animal Park

    Review Highlights - Fort Chiswell Animal Park

    I expected to be able to feed some of the animals but definitely was not prepared for Puff, the Camel.

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    Happy Home Acres - Mini donkey

    Happy Home Acres

    5.0(1 review)
    80.2 mi

    Great folks! Our ministry has wanted a petting zoo for one of our events for a while, but finding…read morethe right one at the right price was always a challenge. They came and set up a small area on the property for a children's event and kids of all ages enjoyed seeing and petting the animals. Easy to deal with and super friendly. Definitely recommend.

    From the owner: Welcome to Happy Home Acres, your premier destination for animal joy in Reidsville, NC!…read more Our signature service, Traveling Hooves by Happy Home Acres MOBILE Mini Farm , brings the magic of a petting zoo right to your doorstep. Perfect for nursing homes, schools, birthdays, corporate events, communities, and more! But that's not all - we're also an insured FARM Sitter, dedicated to the care of all your pets and livestock. From milking cows to homesteading chores, and even stall cleaning at your horse farm, we ensure your animals receive the utmost care and attention. Serving all surrounding areas. At Happy Home Acres, we're passionate about raising mini donkeys and Nigerian dwarf goats, adding charm and character to your homestead. Plus, don't miss out on our special Animal Grams - unique animal encounters and surprise announcements that create unforgettable memories. Join us at Happy Home Acres for a world of animal delights and cherished moments!

    Photos
    Happy Home Acres - Easter photography set up (photographers welcome!)

    Easter photography set up (photographers welcome!)

    Happy Home Acres - Mobile mini farm at event

    Mobile mini farm at event

    Happy Home Acres - Mobile mini farm!

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    Mobile mini farm!

    Greensboro Science Center - Aquarium side. Seahorse made from plastic trash

    Greensboro Science Center

    4.5(254 reviews)
    81.6 mi

    This was my first time really visiting the science center. I had been once before several years…read moreago for holiday lights, but didn't really get to explore the interior, or see the animals My wife and I went recently on a Saturday, and spent several hours exploring. I've got to say I was really impressed. It has things to offer young and old alike, it's very educational and amazing resource to have in Greensboro. In addition to the small aquarium they have a zoo, with a vast array of animals, a large outdoor play ground, as well as a ropes coarse and zip line that are an additional cost. I was really amazed by how much they had to offer. The science center is spread out over many acres, so it never feels to crowded. This is 100% I'd recommend people take friends and family visiting, especially if they have children with them. Staff we interacted with was very friendly, informative and helpful. Tickets are good for reentry on the same day, so if you decide to go get lunch elsewhere, you can still come back. They have a massive parking lot, so that should never be an issue. Just a great experience, lots of fun things to see and do. Go check them out!

    My husband and I took our grandson for spring break and honestly, we acted like big kids ourselves…read morethe whole time! From the moment we walked in, it was a wonderful experience overall. The highlight for all three of us was definitely the stingray touch tank, getting that close and actually petting them was so cool. And seeing the penguins up close? Absolutely amazing. There's just something special about watching a child experience these things for the first time. It took me right back to when I came as a kid, and getting to share that with my grandchild made it even more meaningful. The staff was consistently friendly and helpful, the temperature inside was comfortable, and the weather outside cooperated beautifully. We also appreciated how manageable the crowds were and parking was better than expected, we even snagged a front spot! The reason this is four stars instead of five comes down to timing and expectations. We visited during spring break, which is one of the busiest weeks of the year, and unfortunately several exhibits we were looking forward to, including the red panda, the tigers, and the meerkats, were not available. For a week when families, grandparents, and school groups are specifically planning around this visit, you would hope the full experience would be ready to go. It was a noticeable disappointment, especially for the little ones. That said, what was available was genuinely enjoyable and we will definitely be back, hopefully with the full lineup next time!

    Photos
    Greensboro Science Center - The amount of plastic each of us uses a year

    The amount of plastic each of us uses a year

    Greensboro Science Center - Playground

    Playground

    Greensboro Science Center - Flamingos

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    Flamingos

    Dinosaur Kingdom II - Fun house

    Dinosaur Kingdom II

    4.7(43 reviews)
    90.9 mi

    Decent amount of parking, even with a trailer. Really sweet older lady at the ticket booth, asked…read moreif we were military and gave us the discount. We made it just in time for the 3:30 Bigfoot battle! The kids were able to fill water guns and squirt Bigfoot as he ran around the town. It was a perfect way to cool off during the 90° weather. The town was pretty cool! My son had a blast going from store to store seeing what each room held. We pressed all the buttons and touched all the things! Our favorite part was the dino trail. My husband enjoyed the Civil War statues mixed with the dinosaurs. The kids just loved the dinosaurs and the adventure of it all. The dino maze was cool and my daughter loved the dino dig. The gift shop had some pretty cool shirts and we couldn't leave without getting a stuffed dino and a penny from the machine. A great roadside attraction! Definitely worth stopping and seeing, especially if you have kids/just enjoy weird and entertaining experiences.

    Great stop for the granddaughters, age 9 and 8. Great stop for someone with a sense of humor, kids…read morewho love dinosaurs or just needing to give the kids a moment to run. It Was campy and over the top but hey... I think it was meant to be. The rating is strictly for young kids. Adults, don't waste your time. The price was a bit high but the kids got to squirt a "Bigfoot" who was also armed with a squirt gun.

    Photos
    Dinosaur Kingdom II
    Dinosaur Kingdom II - Dino being milked

    Dino being milked

    Dinosaur Kingdom II

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    Grandfather Mountain - 1 mile above sea level on the span bridge

    Grandfather Mountain

    4.3(257 reviews)
    76.6 mi

    Worth It 10 Times Over $30.42…read more Grandfather Mountain was the highlight of my trip to the North Carolina mountains and worth every penny. The experience starts the moment you arrive. The staff is organized, friendly, and efficient. They provide a map and a self-guided audio tour that plugs right into your car, making it easy to learn about the mountain as you drive from stop to stop. My advice: arrive before 11 a.m. and check Blue Ridge Parkway closures before you leave. There are still detours and road closures that can add significant time to your drive, and you don't want to miss your entry time. I headed straight to the top for the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The weather was classic mountain weather--cool temperatures in the 50s and 60s with fog drifting across the peaks. Even with the clouds rolling through, the views were absolutely stunning. If stairs are a concern, there's an elevator that takes visitors up to the bridge level. Afterward, I worked my way down the mountain, stopping at Split Rock before exploring the Wildlife Habitats. This area exceeded my expectations. I saw black bears, elk, a cougar, bald eagles, river otters, and plenty of butterflies. The botanical gardens were beautiful and everything was clearly marked and easy to navigate. The entire property is exceptionally well maintained. Clean restrooms at both the summit and wildlife center were an added bonus. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. and left shortly after noon, which gave me plenty of time to see everything at a comfortable pace. You could easily spend longer if you enjoy hiking or lingering at the exhibits. As someone escaping the summer heat in Charlotte, the cool mountain air alone was worth the drive. If you're visiting western North Carolina, put Grandfather Mountain on your bucket list. The scenery, wildlife, organization, and educational experience make it one of the best attractions in the region. There's a big world out there to explore. This is one place that's absolutely worth the trip.

    Nice park and mountain, but $37 PER PERSON? With NO…read moresignage/pricing posted anywhere ... yikes I could understand for something like Yosemite or Yellowstone, but just a state park ...tough pill to swallow especially when it's not posted anywhere. I was planning to hike with some friends and we were going to start at one of the other lots but the roads were closed leaving us no choice but to enter the park. I really just wish the pricing/fees were posted somewhere-anywhere- because they weren't online or on the park signs out front. Had to pull up to the gate/window and even then the park ranger seemed to want to withhold that information as long as possible. The actual park is beautiful and well maintained- and you do get an audio guide plus map upon entry. But the lack of transparency here is a hard no for me. @azfitfoodfun

    Photos
    Grandfather Mountain - Wilson Discovery Center

    Wilson Discovery Center

    Grandfather Mountain - Exploring the Wilson Center

    Exploring the Wilson Center

    Grandfather Mountain - When you get off the elevator at the gift shop at the very top of grandfather Mountain

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    When you get off the elevator at the gift shop at the very top of grandfather Mountain

    Fort Chiswell Animal Park - zoos - Updated June 2026

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