North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro, NC
Website: nczoo.org
The North Carolina Zoo is the nation’s largest walk-through, natural-habitat zoo. The zoo is divided into the North American and African regions and includes several areas where children can stop to play, eat and use the restrooms. New in 2008 is the Watani Grasslands Reserve. The best way to see the zoo is on foot. Trams do connect the two regions and run from one parking lot to the other, however, the animals are not viewable from the trams.
A one-year family membership to the zoo will more than pay for itself after just two visits by a family of four. Membership even includes reciprocal admission to 150 zoos and aquariums across the country. Also, entry fees are discounted for everyone during the winter months.