CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Despite being a huge metropolitan area, Charlotte has a handful of destinations for animal lovers, ranging from cat cafes to encounters with lemurs. Here are the top three picks.
Zootastic Park
Located in Troutman, this small-scale zoo is home to lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, a two-toed sloth and more. The park features both a walk-through and a drive-through experience.
Visitors can hold baby animals such as sloths, armadillos and lemurs. Reservations are required in advance through the website, and the experience comes with an additional fee.
The park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Tuesdays. General admission is $17 for ages 12 and older and $15 for children ages 2 through 11.
Tiger World
This nonprofit conservation and education center in Rockwell focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating exotic animals while educating the public.
Animals include a liger, a white Bengal tiger, an Arctic wolf and Michael, a well-known white lion. Visitors can explore the facility on their own or take an educational tour with a licensed animal handler for an additional charge.
Tiger World is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $12 for children ages 2 through 17, $15 for adults ages 18 to 61, and $10 for adults 62 and older. Children under 2 are admitted free.
Carolina Raptor Center
Located in Huntersville, this nonprofit emphasizes education, rehabilitation and conservation. The center is home to a variety of birds, including a bald eagle, lanner falcon, Swainson’s hawk, great horned owl and king vulture.
Visitors can walk the Raptor Trail, attend keeper and hospital talks, and watch flight demonstrations. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Admission is $16 for adults ages 23 to 64, $14 for ages 13 to 22, $12 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. Seniors 65 and older, military personnel, students and teachers pay $12.
