North Carolina Zoological Park: A great day trip from Cary, NC

We had a great time at the NC Zoo, and the weather was perfect for taking pictures. We get there in about an hour and 15 minutes from Cary.

I really get a kick out of shooting snapshots ofgiraffes and zebras, but the rocks and trees of autumn were also attention-getters.

North Carolina has the 2nd largest zoo in North America in acreage, and the most developed walking zoo. Our favorite approach is to take a tram or shuttle from the end we enter, all the way to the far entrance. We then walk back, having lunch somewhere along the way.

I was delighted with the crowd at the zoo on a November Saturday, considering there were very important college football games, initial college basketball games, and other entertainment options.

I put together a little slideshow including a few of the photos I shot.

The NC Zoological park is about 8 miles south of Asheboro, NC, and about 65 miles west of Cary, NC, being an easy drive along US 64 from Cary. We have Zoo Society memberships each year, so we support the maintenance and expansion of habitats even if we don't get out to the zoo. Right now, the zoo is about 60% through a fundraiser to add a new improved polar bear habitat, and additional polar bears.