North Carolina Zoo

Wander between large natural habitats for elephants, giraffes, gorillas, polar bears, bison and red wolves.

4401 Zoo Pkwy · Asheboro, NC

About North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is laid out as large natural habitats rather than cages, with about 500 developed acres on a 2,600-acre site. The Africa region has giraffes, gorillas, chimpanzees and lions, and a herd of African elephants lives in the 47-acre Watani Grasslands. North America has polar bears, bison, red wolves and alligators, and a glass-domed Desert habitat holds reptiles and desert species. It is one of only two state-supported zoos in the country.

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What's around here?

The closest stops to North Carolina Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
Morrow Mountain State Park
No admission fee
Hike or ride the trails of the old Uwharrie Mountains, rent a boat on Lake Tillery and stay in a cabin 50 miles from Charlotte.
25 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors
Attractions
Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
$50+
A family water park in Greensboro with slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool.
26 mi awayMore like this
Shopping
Four Seasons Town Centre
Check prices
An indoor shopping center in Greensboro with more than 140 stores and a food court.
Transit: reachable by public transit
29 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping
Sightseeing
Alamance Battleground
No admission fee
A North Carolina state historic site south of Burlington that marks an 1771 clash between colonial farmers and royal forces.
30 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Museums
Weatherspoon Art Museum
No admission fee
A university art museum on the UNC Greensboro campus focused on modern and contemporary art, especially American work.
30 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Museums
History Buff
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
Under $25
Tour the former Woolworth store where four students began the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins at its whites-only lunch counter.
Transit: reachable by public transit
31 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums