This is a big Zoo, so big that they have two separate entrances and parking lots, which are about a mile and a half apart; you have your choice of entering either at the North America and Africa continents. Don’t worry about where you parked or where you exit at, they have a shuttle bus service that runs between the parking lots every ten minutes or so and its free.

The animals are all displayed in "natural habitat exhibits" which resemble what their natural surroundings would be. There are more than five miles of walking trails in the zoo so be sure to wear some comfortable clothes and good walking shoes and you might want to bring a bottle or two of water. It seemed like most of the walking was uphill but half way through there is a sign letting you know that you have reached the peak of Purgatory Mountain (937 feet above sea level) and its all down hill from there.

This is a very nice zoo but it is big so if you plan on seeing everything the zoo recommends five hours at an easy pace to cover it. There is still some construction going on but it only interferes with a few exhibits.

I would say that our favorite exhibit was the Avery where most of the birds are free to fly or run around, I saw my first Road Runner, he didn’t Beep Beep or chase a coyote but it was still pretty cool.

TIP: Most of the Zoo’s have a membership program, we belong to the Toledo Zoo, our cost per year is $45 for the Grandparent membership, this lets the wife and I and all of our grandkids to enter over 125 Zoos and Aquariums around the country free and others at half price. The fees vary from Zoo to Zoo and can run from $35 to $100+, if your local zoo is one of the expensive ones you can search the Internet and find one in your price range, they all offer memberships on line.

In the charming city of Asheboro you will find the NC Zoo. The zoo is ranked as one of the top zoos in the country. Come and explore over 500 acres of exhibits. Like larger zoos, the NC zoo keeps their charges in natural settings free of bars and cages when at all possible. In fact, they were the first national zoo designed specifically to feature a natural habitat. There are more than 5 miles of walking trails here. The zoo is divided into two sections: North America and Africa.

North America is home to bears, bison, wolves, alligators, otters, cougars, and, everyone’s favorite, polar bears. In 2004, the Australian Walkabout was opened up to house animals native to Down Under, including kangaroos. Sadly, there are no cutie kola bears.

Africa is home to elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, gorillas, and the chimpanzee reserve. The indoor African Pavilion is home to monkeys, birds, snakes, crocks, and tropical plant.

In between the two sections you will find the Indoor Forest Aviary and the Sonora Desert. The Aviary is home to dozens of species of birds and incredible foliage. The Sonora Desert is home to roadrunners, ocelots, reptiles, bats, and cacti.

The zoo hosts a number of changing exhibits. There is free parking and a free shuttle to each entrance. You will find a picnic area on the grounds, and you may exit and re-enter the zoo. There are also a number of restaurants in Asheboro. Inside the zoo you will find lockers, ATMs, a first-aid center, stroller rental, free wheelchairs, and gift shops. There is a tram inside that runs through the park and is handicapped-accessible. There are restaurants and snack bars inside the zoo. They can also help you host your next meeting or reunion. They also hosts a number of events throughout the year, the two most popular being Boo At the Zoo in October and the holiday light exhibit from Thanksgiving to January 2nd.

The zoo here is truly remarkable and stunning. It is the nation's largest walk-through zoo. They are members of the AZA and IAAPA. The zoo is involved in a number of programs to help save their animals from extinction, including saving the Red Wolves. They are one of the top-ranked zoos by the Humane Society. As I have mentioned in my other journals, I never visit an animal attraction if the animals are not treated humanely. Well, I visit this zoo several times a year. No matter how old I get, I never seem to loose my love of this place. Hours vary by season. Admission varies. For more information, please go to www.nczoo.org.