Spotlight - NC Zoo

Welcome Back to the Zoo! 

NC Zoo 

4401 NC Zoo Parkway | Asheboro

NC Zoo |  800.488.0444 

Cost: FREE - $15.00 | November - March 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | April - October 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Food: A small snack and a refillable water bottle per person can be taken inside. Food venues are open, but only those with outdoor seating.  Water fountains are closed, but water refill stations are located throughout the park and you can ask for a complimentary water bottle refill at any food venue. 

Directions: NC Zoo 

Drive time: about an hour 

  

Things You Need to Know before You Go

• Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific time. You can purchase tickets online here.
• The total number of visitors to the zoo per day is limited. 
• Masks are required at the zoo entrance and any time you cannot maintain a 6 foot distance from those who are NOT in your party or you are indoors. 
• The Africa entrance and parking lot are closed.
• The Zoo has a one way route - you can view the map here.
• Statues, viewing devices at habitats and high touch areas have been covered up/closed or marked. 
• Food venues with indoor seating are currently closed.
• Playgrounds are closed. 
• Indoor habitats and some viewing areas are currently closed. Keeper talks are currently 
• The Junction Plaza tram is open, but only goes one way from Junction Plaza to the North American entrance for zoo exit. 
• Only umbrella strollers that can fit in your seat area are allowed, they can not accommodate large strollers. 
• Once you exit the zoo you can not reenter.
• For more things you need to know check out NC Zoo re-imagined guest experience page here.

What to Expect

1. Upon arrival at the gate locate your ticket on the convenient signs and queue up in the correct line. There are restrooms available before entry on the left side of the zoo gate and directly after entry on the left.  
2. Look for the signs and arrows marking the correct pathways. There are distance dots on the ground at viewing areas and indoors. The maximum number of occupants inside a building was listed at the entrance to each building. Staff were available to answer questions and help with any confusion. 
3. Viewing areas were sometimes crowded and in order to keep our distance it was a short wait to see the main attraction, but that's no different from a normal visit to the zoo. 
4. Our trip was not a in and out visit. We arrived at 9 and gave up at 1:30 or so when we reached the gorillas. The munchkins (and mom) were ready to call it a day. We sped through Africa stopping to see the giraffes, zebras and red river hogs. 
5. We purchased lunch at the zoo. As 12 p.m. arrived we realized our best laid plans were foiled and we would not make it back out before our 1 p.m. goal. Food was essential. 
6. Once you finish Africa you can truck it back to Junction Plaza and take a (welcome) ride back to North America to exit or start all over if you're feeling crazy. 

Summary

Over all our trip was enjoyable. It was hot and some of the animals were chilling or hiding, but that's a normal thing on hot days at the zoo.  The crowds were manageable and people were respectful. The most difficult thing for me was having to go in one entrance and being restricted to one way routes and tram rides. Because my kids are so little it's helpful to be able to tackle half of the zoo at a time and that's difficult to nearly impossible with the current layout. Will I go again? Totally, I'm planning a trip over the next month and you should too.