Zoos are about animals, right? While that’s true, the NC Zoo is that and so much more. I’m talking Events, Camps, VIP Tours, Zoofari, Birds in Flight (show), Rio the 4D Experience, Air Hike Ropes Course, Acacia Station Giraffe Deck, Carousel, Picnicking, Animal Feedings, Hiking Trails, and Art in the Park!
As soon as I sat down to write about the June day I spent at the NC Zoo (http://www.nczoo.org/), the largest natural habitat zoo in the world(!), Simon & Garfunkel’s song “At the Zoo” played in my head.
The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
And the elephants are kindly but they’re dumb
Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently
What a gas, you gotta come and see
At the zoo
Wait, what about ostriches? We went on Zoofari, an open bus that takes passengers on a big loop through a large natural habitat. Animals in this area are not caged, but live as they would in the wild, including Pearl, the ostrich.
It was fun watching polar bears in their habitat, including swimming by a large underwater viewing window. Even more fun was watching and listening to kids squealing, laughing, and yelling, “Here it comes! There it is! There it is!”
Another fantastic thing we saw was the Birds in Flight show. How great is it to sit in an outdoor venue watching different kinds of birds flying over the crowd and back? So impressed with their trainer!
ZOO FOOD
In addition to food carts, there are ten eateries spread throughout the zoo, making it easy to find something relatively close to wherever you are in the zoo.
We checked out two, Iron Hen Cafe Express (located in the North American Plaza) for breakfast, and lunch at the newest zoo restaurant, Billy D’s Fried Chicken (located in the Wachovia Akiba Market in Africa).
As we chowed down on eggs, muffins, bagels, grits with bacon and goat cheese, and coffee, Chef Mark Hensley sat down with us to talk about sustainability at Iron Hen, including a goal of 80% local food sourcing, recycling “everything”, composting, waste vegetable oil collected for bio fuel, and serving locally roasted, organic, fair trade coffee.
I was especially looking forward to lunch at newest zoo restaurant, Billy D’s Fried Chicken! “Billy D” is Chef William Dissen, who opened his first restaurant, The Market Place, in Asheville years ago. And almost at the same time he opened Billy D’s, he opened Haymaker in Charlotte.
We had family style lunch outside at a picnic table shaded by a yellow umbrella. Even on a hot day, it was comfortable out there. The only problem was yellow tinted photos.
The food is delicious. It’s NOT fast food, but you will probably get your food quickly. Think typical extended family picnic food. Looking for a healthy snack? Pick up fresh apples and bananas. Oh, Billy D’s also has Banana Pudding, Ice Cream, and Ice Cream Floats.
The NC Zoo is so much more than what you’d expect when you think “zoo”. I can attest to that since I’ve been in the Asheboro area many times, and never thought it’d be worth taking time out to go to the zoo. So wrong. My attitude has been adjusted!
I dare you not to be impressed after taking a look at the zoo website. Definitely plan time for a zoo visit as soon as you can!
Epicurean Note:
- The NC Zoo has the biggest collection of outdoor artwork in the country!
NC Zoo
4401 Zoo Pkwy
Asheboro, NC 27205
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