What to do and see in North Carolina, United States: The Best Zoos & Aquariums

The Barnyard is a family owned and operated hands-on agritourism business located in Newport, North Carolina. We specialize in farm animal education for children and adults. Our petting farm is one of a kind where you can interact with friendly farm animals while learning at the same time!

Welcome to OBX Lizard Land! We are a family friendly serpentarium located in beautiful Currituck, North Carolina featuring dozens exotic reptiles from around the world. Animals housed in the facility are in large custom enclosures, carefully crafted to offer these creatures the comfort of the environment that they originate from.

Helpers of our Farm, or HOOF, is a non-profit farm animal rescue located on Greenlands Farm in Bolivia. Each Saturday from April to December visitors are invited to visit our petting farm and meet our animals, including miniature horses, goats, llamas and pot bellied pigs! Pony rides are offered weather-permitting and all proceeds are put towards the health and feed needs of our animals.

Located on the Tuckasegee River, the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium exhibits as many regional species of non-game and game fish as possible among its fourteen tanks, with a total exceeding 4,000 gallons of water. In addition to those tanks, there are two terrariums and a hellbender exhibit to showcase the variety of amphibians and reptiles in the Southern Appalachians, currently including frogs, turtles, and several species of salamanders.

Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach (a short drive from Wilmington), enjoy an exploration of “The Waters of the Cape Fear.” Journey down the Cape Fear River – from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, reefs and the open ocean - discovering unique habitats and aquatic wildlife. Meet a rare albino alligator named Luna. Get eye-to-eye with a loggerhead sea turtle. Talk to a SCUBA diver swimming with sharks rays and eels. Compare teeth with a megalodon. Touch sea stars, horseshoe crabs and even sharks! Play outside in the Adventure Reef play area. Feed free-flying tropical birds. Free daily programs include dive presentations, animal feedings and encounters. Explore more with behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor adventures, classes, camps and more. Open 363 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Days). Tickets available at the door and online.

Visit the Western North Carolina Nature Center - home to over 60 species of animals including river otters, black bear, red wolves and cougars. The Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region's rich biodiversity. The Nature Center is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. Less than 230 facilities in the United States have met the high accreditation standards set by AZA

All general admission guests must purchase a timed entry ticket and members must make a reservation prior to visiting the North Carolina Zoo. Visit the Zoo's website for reservations and timed tickets. At the North Carolina Zoo, we seek to inspire a lifelong curiosity about wildlife and a passion for protecting it. As the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, the North Carolina Zoo and its dedicated staff of experts provide expansive spaces and world-class care for the more than 1,800 animals here giving our guests the chance to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina. At the same time, our animal experts work tirelessly in the Zoo and around the world to ensure the protection of the world’s most amazing creatures and the places they call home. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Dive into adventure. Take a tour of North Carolina’s aquatic life “from the mountains to the sea.” Talk with divers as they swim with sharks in the Living Shipwreck, featuring a WW II German U-boat replica. Laugh at the antics of playful river otters, touch a stingray or enjoy programs free with admission. Field trips and other activities are available for additional fees. On-site snack bar and gift shop.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island was originally founded in 1976 as the North Carolina Marine Resources Center, along with our sister facilities at Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher. In 1986, the three facilities were renamed Aquariums, and we were joined by Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head in 2011. The state of North Carolina owns the Aquariums and Pier, which are administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR). Located on the Outer Banks, three miles north of Manteo on Roanoke Island, the Aquarium is an educational attraction focused on “inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.” The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

WE ARE OPEN - Tiger World is an animal conservation and educational center dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and preservation of exotic animals. We are open to the public for educational guided tours and walkabout self-guided tours. Tiger World is a different kind of Zoo. Our tours personally guide visitors throughout the preserve learning about each animal. You see them in a natural setting and have the opportunity to observe them playing, swimming, eating, sleeping, and interacting with their handlers. Visit our website for details.