Friends of Western North Carolina Nature Center — Attraction in Asheville

This is the perfect local zoo. Tickets are cheap, there’s A LOT to see and do. I plan on spending a whole day when we go. There’s a little playground about half way through and the kids love to take a break here and the picnic pavilions, bathrooms and drinking fountains make it ultra family friendly! Don’t miss the hiking trails, they’re a lot of fun too, and they’re completely shaded from the forest canopy which is a nice break from the sun in the summer. The petting zoo, natural music area and demos are some of our favorites as well! If you have a big family get the membership, it’s worth it if you’ll go more than one time. Also, if you take a picnic, there is a pull off with tables up the road past the zoo parking lot. We eat there when the zoo is packed to get out...

We traveled 60 miles to visit this zoo on vacation in NC and there was not a single thing more interesting than the zoo near our home in NY. Their website was very misleading. It had pictures of giraffes, but we didnt see a single one. While we were walking, we came across a snake that had gotten out of its area (which we found out afterwards. . . Thank God it wasn't the copperhead!) Definitely not worth the extra $ as a tourist attraction. Your better off walking the free...

Summertime is a great time as it is cool in the mountains here. Beyond being a "zoo" this nature preserve works to repopulate the local environment. Wolves! Bobcats! Otters are super cute. Ages eight and under or 9 + can do a scavenger hunt for a souvenir. Call ahead or check online as your zoo membership may offer free or reduced admission. We got in free with a Greenville...