12 Best Zoos & Aquariums in North Carolina

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Finding a fun activity in which all family members can participate, learn, and enjoy can be challenging.

Some may wish to visit cultural hotspots and museums; others may focus on adrenaline-filled adventures or popular tourist attractions across North Carolina.

However, regardless of your family’s interests, discovering new animals or aquatic life at a well-designed zoo or aquarium can be enjoyed by everyone of all ages.

Located in the Southeastern section of the U.S., North Carolina is home to varying terrain from mountainous peaks to lakes, marshlands, and coastline, making it the ideal place for various wildlife to call home.

Keep reading to learn more about the best zoos and aquariums North Carolina has to offer!

12 Best Zoos & Aquariums in North Carolina

With North Carolina’s diverse landscape and moderate climate, it’s an excellent place to house various land and sea life worldwide.

Some of the best places to see these creatures include the following:

Twelve: Zootastic Park

Kicking off this list is Zootastic Park, which is located in Troutman.

The park features a unique experience allowing visitors to get a firsthand interaction with over 200 animal species ranging from barnyard animals to giraffes, zebras, camels, deer, and even tigers!

In addition to the walking tour, guests can take a personalized safari with the drive-through option.

This allows for visiting the 100 acres of property and immersing in an exciting wildlife opportunity.

Eleven: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

For every child that’s dreamed of meeting a dinosaur, every animal-loving individual, or those who marvel at the ocean’s diversity and complexity, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will be your Mecca.

Featuring a 10,000-gallon tank that mimics the North Carolina seafloor, the aquarium portion helps guests explore the world’s wonders.

Visitors can watch medical operations on the more delicate animals, become a meteorologist for a day, and investigate fossils.

This location is even more dazzling than it sounds, and the aquarium is the most popular and striking exhibit.

Ten: North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Located on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina Aquarium is an excellent location to see sea life native to the North Carolina seafloor.

The aquarium also boasts a sea turtle rescue program, in which adults and children can view how these creatures a rehabilitated.

This aquarium is part of the Outer Banks area, which offers a history and quaint downtown area with plenty of history.

The aquarium is one great part of the local community, with plenty of other attractions to explore.

Nine: Western North Carolina Nature Center

Located in the City of Ashville, the Western North Carolina Nature Center focuses on connecting guests with animals and plants in the Southern Appalachian Mountain region.

This is achieved by promoting conservation, inspiring appreciation, and generating an understanding of the region’s abundant biodiversity.

Currently, the center houses 60 species of domestic animals alongside hundreds of interesting plant species.

These species represent many found in the unique South Appalachian ecosystem.

The most popular animals include hellbenders, coyotes, bobcats, black rat snakes, barn owls, Angora goats, American river otters, American red wolves, and American black bears.

Eight: Greensboro Science Center 

At the Greensboro Science Center, visitors can enjoy an indoor museum, aquarium, and zoo, all of which feature a range of land and aquatic animals for an educational and fun adventure.

The Zoo Trek is a popular attraction that allows guests to get up close and personal with various animals.

With the assistance of animal staff, you can feed and touch animals like Aldabra tortoises, prehensile-tailed porcupines, meerkats, cassowaries, flamingos, and okapi.

Another excellent attraction is the Penguin Encounters exhibit, a 45-minute program allowing visitors to meet African penguins within a controlled environment.

Zoo professionals teach you about penguin management and care, so this is a unique experience.

Seven: Team ECCO Ocean Center Aquarium

Located in the cozy mountain town of Hendersonville, the Team ECCO Ocean Center allows visitors to soak in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, learn more about the area’s history, and see a variety of…fish?

Despite its location, the Team ECCO Ocean Center Aquarium is a fascinating and educational destination to learn more about different marine life.

While some aquariums have tanks where guests can pet more significant marine life like stingrays, Team ECCO allows visitors to touch horseshoe crabs and starfish.

A different tank houses the Finding Nemo gang of fish, which are adorable, like in the movie.

The best aspects of the aquarium are the small-town vibe and the staff’s passion for their job.

Six: Duke Lemur Center

Founded in 1966, the Duke Lemur Center is on the Duke University campus and is a global leader in the study, protection, and care of lemurs, the world’s most threatened mammals.

With over 200 animals representing 14 species, the Duke Lemur Center hosts the most expansive and diverse lemur population outside Madagascar.

This destination requires a prepaid reservation, which gives access to the gift shop and entire groups.

To ensure the safety and health of this endangered group, walk-in visitors are not accepted.

Visitors can also adopt their favorite lemurs through the Adopt a Lemur program, which allows for the financial support of these threatened animals.

Five: North Carolina Aquarium

Located near Wilmington, the North Carolina Aquarium focuses on the local ecology of the Cape Fear River and surrounding ocean waters.

Visitors will enjoy spectacular jellyfish displays, watch experts scuba dive to interact with various marine life, and learn about the bus-sized sharks that roamed the local waters in the past.

In the outside area, a wooden walkway navigates intrigued visitors across native foliage, and kids will enjoy the fossil hunt activity.

Other popular attractions include surf fishing on the local beach, various sea life workshops, and different programs geared toward children and adults.

Four: Sylvan Heights Bird Park

While traditional zoos feature various species, Sylvan Heights Bird Park only displays and cares for domestic and international birds.

Stretching over 18 acres, this park is home to over 2,000 birds of 200 species, including flamingos, waterfowl, toucans, parrots, and other exotic birds.

The grounds are separated into six areas: South America, North America, Eurasia, Australia, Africa, and Other Exhibits.

Depending on which section guests visit, they will experience birds from that continent.

For instance, visiting the African region will show the Maccoa, the Madagascar teal, and the white-face whistling duck.

Some of the Eurasian birds include the smew, European pochard, Bewicks’ swan, and bar-headed goose.

Three: Aloha Safari Zoo

With a focus on maintaining a loving and safe environment for unwanted, injured, and mistreated animals, the Aloha Safari Zoo is a sanctuary for around 400 rescued animals, most of which are exotic.

In addition to creating a haven, the park’s goal is to educate animal enthusiasts, families, children, and other visitors about the importance of animal conservation and care.

Guests can access the zoo during the spring, summer, and fall, Tuesdays through Sundays, and weekends during the winter.

Advanced booking is not required, so tickets can be purchased on-site.

Two: Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, the Sea Life Aquarium is considered the best in the state due to show-stopping aesthetics, like touch tanks, sparkling pools, and underwater tunnels.

The tanks are filled with exotic aquatic life from around the world, including Slipper Lobsters, Hermit Crabs, Pencil Sea Urchins, and Sea Stars.

This adventure will hold the attention of children and adults from beginning to end.

Like most aquariums, guests can add behind-the-scenes activities to have more personalized experiences in the lives of employees and animals.

One: North Carolina Zoo

Considered the top zoo in the state, the North Carolina Zoo is one of the largest natural habitats on Earth.

Situated on 2,600 wooded acres and spanning 500 acres, the North Carolina Zoo focuses on safe encounters with over 1,800 animals in their natural habitats.

This gives visitors a memorable and authentic experience with nature.

Many activities are available on the park grounds, including educational programs, trekking, and various camps, while the zoo offers a holistic wildlife view.

The zoo is divided into six areas:

• The Africa Exhibit
• The Desert Exhibit
• The North America Exhibit
• The Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden
• The Air Hike Ropes Course
• The Acacia Station Giraffe Deck

12 Best Zoos & Aquariums in North Carolina – Summary Table

North Carolina Safety Overview

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Safety Index:

64

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW