North Carolina has many things to do and see, including an adventure I recently took: The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. It features animals from the wild regions of Africa and North America. If you plan on taking this adventure, I suggest carving out five to six hours to make it through the whole property. Also, look on the official website for the list of things to bring and the list of prohibited items; I highly suggest bottled water, sunscreen (during the summer), and extra batteries for your camera/external batteries for your phone. Along the route you travel in the park, there are photo opportunities, including right inside the gate, and interactive games. Near the entrance is a list of feeding times and handler times so you can correlate it with your map to see where you would like to travel first. Here is the list of my favorite things to see and do at the zoo.
1. Walkway photo opp.
Right when you walk from the parking lot (park in Africa, it is the most efficient way) there is a photo opportunity, plus a learning experience underneath the hut pictured.
2. Hatching of unknown species.
Near the elephant/ostrich viewing area, there is a live board game you can play learning about the elephant's travel patterns, and life sized eggs to be hatched out of a animal on exhibit there, as my friend is being an example.
3. You get to feed giraffes!
This was definitely in the top three of the things we did that day. For $2, you can go on the observation deck and feed the giraffes and get some great selfies. For my friends on Facebook, you can go into my videos and look at my live stream.
4. There are so many Poke Stops and a few Pokemon Gyms
Another reason to bring an external battery, between taking photos and playing the game, your battery will drain really fast. Though I didn't get a picture, I found my first Clefable among the flamingos outside the aviary (must have thought blending in with the other pink creatures was a good idea).
5. Watching the seals and sea lions interact and complete tricks.
My friends and I came during the feeding and handler time of the seals and sea lions, where they perform based off of the handler's commands. The handler will give facts about themselves and the animals, and will answer any questions you have.
6. You can participate in special events, camps, and VIP tours.
On the zoo's website, there is a plan your visit tab with a schedule of events going on in the park and when, and the availability to do extra activities such as taking a bus tour in the exhibit. The next event is called African Giants, about the elephants on August 20.
7. Polar bear selfies!
Meet Nikita, the newest polar bear. Unfortunately I can not put up the Snapchat video of him I took on this platform, but it was amazing. You do not realize how huge polar bears are until they are against the glass by you. Another envious selfie moment. Also,they look super cuddly.
8. Memorable artwork.
There is artwork all over the park that is definitely picture worthy. Under the website their is more information about the artwork to look into beforehand. Pictured here is an interpretation of The Three Billy Goats and The Troll Bridge.
9. The unknown exercise.
According to my friend's phone after the trip, we had walked about nine miles total across the park. However, with ideal weather conditions, you would not even realize the hustle you were making because you were having too much fun!
The park is opened year round with new things always happening, so go visit! "Adventure is out there!"
