Below is a list of the top and leading Aquariums/Zoos in Raleigh, NC. To help you find the best Aquariums/Zoos located near you in Raleigh, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Raleigh’s Best Aquariums/Zoos:
The top rated Aquariums/Zoos in Raleigh, NC are:
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – exhibits on NC’s geology, flora & fauna, plus fossil collections, 3D films & live-animal programs
- Aloha Safari Zoo – family-run zoo featuring a wide array of animals, most of which have been rescued
- It’s A Zoo Life – has over 100 animals, including a zebra, camel, sloth, porcupine, lemur, kangaroos, wallaby, tortoise, alpacas, coatimundi, cockatoo, hedgehogs, ferrets, rabbits, pigs, goats, cow, sheep, peacocks, chickens, mini horses, and many more
- Greensboro Science Center – center boasting a 12-acre zoo, an aquarium & a hands-on museum plus a theatre with a 40-foot screen
- North Carolina Zoo – dedicated team of experts provide exceptional, compassionate care to the more than 1,800 animals
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest institution of its sort in the Southeast and the state’s most visited museum, with over a million visitors every year. Prairie Ridge Ecostation and satellite facilities in Whiteville, Greenville, and Contentnea Creek supplement the 300,000 square-foot downtown facility. For pre-kindergarten through graduate students around the state, they provide a variety of curriculum-focused classes onsite, offsite, outdoors, and online. They also indirectly engage kids in the state by offering teacher professional development, classroom research opportunities, and outdoor learning spaces on school campuses.
Products/Services:
Aquariums/Zoos
LOCATION:
Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 707 9800
Website: naturalsciences.org
REVIEWS:
“A large, poignant, nicely arranged collection of NC natural history from prehistoric time to now and beyond. So much to read and see and great interactive screens in Building 2 (don’t miss going!) The building is really nice and well-planned. Nice customer service. Clean bathrooms. Great for all ages. Free and handicap-accessible. Free parking. In a great area close to other attractions.” – Michael Stephens
Aloha Safari Zoo
Aloha Safari Zoo is on a quest to help stray animals. He currently has a license that allows him to keep up to 500 animals, albeit Aloha Safari Zoo only has roughly 450. Lee works tirelessly to provide animals with a safe haven where they can live out their days in peace. Crutchfield, his family, and a small group of dedicated individuals have worked hard to construct an instructional zoo where animals of many species, many of which are unusual, have found a home. The zoo is 60 acres in size and first opened to the public in January 2010.
Products/Services:
Aquariums/Zoos
LOCATION:
Address: 159 Mini Ln, Cameron, NC 28326
Phone: (919) 770 7109
Website: alohasafarizoo.org
REVIEWS:
“This is a great place to take your kids. Awesome experience being able to see many types of animals. Being able to be up close and feed them was very cool. Bathrooms and wash stations are available. Both was very clean and convenient. This is a very cheap place to go for a fun day trip with your family! Will be coming back!” – Ryan Oldham
It’s A Zoo Life
It’s A Zoo Life creates a one-of-a-kind experience for our tourists, hence our animals have been chosen and trained accordingly. They are proud of the link they have with each of them, as most of them have been with them since they were babies and began their lives in our home. Larger facilities may have more animal species or offer a safari-style drive-through tour, but here you will get to know each of our animals individually. The most notable distinction between their Zoo and others is that it is located in its own backyard, and the animals are genuinely their pets. They engage with them on a regular basis and are intimately familiar with their personalities.
Products/Services:
Aquariums/Zoos
LOCATION:
Address: 4313 NC-42, Macclesfield, NC 27852
Phone: (252) 266 7974
Website: itsazoolife.com
REVIEWS:
“This was an absolutely phenomenal place! It’s a very educational tour of some awesome animals. You can tell the animals are well taken care of and loved. Seeing kangaroos in person and interacting with them and the other animals will be one of my highlights of the year! 5 big stars from us!” – Rachael Retter
Greensboro Science Center
Greensboro Science Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Greensboro Science Center is dedicated to providing the community with a dynamic, immersive, and family-friendly attraction that aims to pique scientific curiosity and stimulate personal exploration of life and the natural world. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums both accredit the Greensboro Science Center.
Products/Services:
Aquariums/Zoos
LOCATION:
Address: 4301 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455
Phone: (336) 288 3769
Website: greensboroscience.org
REVIEWS:
“This place is fun for all ages. I see why so many people were here. It was so much to see and we loved every bit of it. We got tickets on a whim and they were for 30 mins before closing, thanks to Lori A. We were able to come back the next day with no issues and enjoy the full museum. If your kids like the new movie Turning Red they will love going here and see the Red Pandas in the zoo.” – Ghost Wright
North Carolina Zoo
North Carolina Zoo celebrates nature at the North Carolina Zoo. Because it is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, the animals have lots of space to move about. More than 1,800 animals call their Park home, and their devoted staff of experts provides superb, caring care. They also lead initiatives to safeguard wildlife and wild spaces both locally and worldwide because we believe that nature’s diversity is important to their collective future. Check out their vast range of virtual programs to stay connected while learning about nature. The North Carolina Zoo invites everyone to join them in protecting the diversity of wildlife.
Products/Services:
Aquariums/Zoos
LOCATION:
Address: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 879 7000
Website: nczoo.org
REVIEWS:
“Clean& fun. Well guided trails and trams to travel on. Good food is available at multiple spots in the zoo. Bathrooms are set throughout the whole zoo. And in great spots. The animals and environments are well cared for, and so magical to see. Strollers and handicap electric scooters available to rent. It really is worth the trip. And cheap tickets for such a large zoo. Recommended 100% for any age. Also, the paths are all shaded by trees so it’s not miserable to walk in the blaring sun.” – Aimee Driscoll
Cindy has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications online. As a business expert, Cindy reviews local and national businesses.
