Zoo trip
- Thread starter Barbmom
- Start date
Sure, it is possible. It will be some early or late drives on some days, but possible. Most of those are not that far from one another, so you could either wake up very early and drive over or drive to the next city after the zoo tour that day.
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Persephone
Well-Known Member
I’ve been to all but one of those. With the possible exception of Riverbanks they really are all full day facilities. The only saving grace is that most of Georgia Aquarium is open late for easier travel day slotting.
North Carolina is a very full one day, though. Be warned of that.
Depending on if it’s a seven day or a nine day it might be worth slotting in The Wilds. It’s only a 2-3 hour tour but it ranks very highly on my zoo list. There’s nothing like it east of the Mississippi that’s open to the public.
North Carolina is a very full one day, though. Be warned of that.
Depending on if it’s a seven day or a nine day it might be worth slotting in The Wilds. It’s only a 2-3 hour tour but it ranks very highly on my zoo list. There’s nothing like it east of the Mississippi that’s open to the public.
biggest_dreamer
Well-Known Member
Should be very doable, I think. As mentioned, North Carolina is the only one that you really need a nearly open-to-close day at to get the full experience, but I did it earlier this year with 4 hours of driving there and back. You'll be looking at less than that if you're going from Richmond or to Columbia in the same day. Or better yet, stay near Asheboro both the night before and after and travel the days before/after, since Riverbanks and maybe Metro Richmond as well can be easily done in a half day. I've heard several people say they've done Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium on the same day, but I'd advise against that if you want to fully appreciate them both.
I've actually visited all 6 of these facilities this year (Riverbanks and the two Georgia facilities are regular visits, but the other three were all new to me) so I should have fairly up to date info if you have any more specific questions about them.
I've actually visited all 6 of these facilities this year (Riverbanks and the two Georgia facilities are regular visits, but the other three were all new to me) so I should have fairly up to date info if you have any more specific questions about them.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
I'm always puzzled when I hear people say that North Carolina is an all day zoo. I've easily done North Carolina and Greensboro in a day. NC has a big campus and it can take a little while to walk around, but I've never felt that it really has that many exhibits, and I'm easily able to power through. Granted, Greensboro was a fair bit smaller back then, but it was also when NCZ still had the aviary
Ha, I just can't wrap my head around that! When I last went a few years back I had to cut out some parts of NA and skip the aviary in order to see it all. Granted we left around 4, but we were there at opening. I don't consider myself a particularly slow zoo-goer either. That said, when I am by myself I tend to go through a zoo far faster than when I am with my son.
I have not done them in one day, but I can see how it would be doable since the aquarium is open so late and Atlanta isn't that big of a zoo, especially if you don't have kids (they have several great play areas if you do).
Very doable. Metro Richmond, Zoo Atlanta, and Riverbanks are not very big and only took me around 3 hours each. North Carolina is bigger and took about five hours, while the National Zoo and Georgia Aquarium are more like 4 hours. Doing Georgia Aquarium & Zoo Atlanta in one day is totally doable, but not if you plan to combine the Aquarium with Coca-Cola World in my opinion.
Of course, how long a place takes you is really going to depend on how long you like to stay and watch each animal. For me personally after visiting almost 300 zoos now, seeing a lion sleeping (just an example) for the 1000th time is something I stop for about 2 seconds at, grab an exhibit/sign photo and keep moving. Others like to really take there time and sit at each exhibit and will say almost any facility is a full day affair. To each there own, but I can typically combine most zoos with at least one other visit in the day without feeling rushed.
I know you didn't ask for suggestions, but if you and your family haven't visited many zoos/aquariums I wouldn't prioritize Metro Richmond or Riverbanks. Both are nice enough, but really nothing special and there are a number of other bigger/better zoos along the route you've laid out of you haven't visited them already. For the loop you've somewhat laid out, I would suggest the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga (there is also a small zoo there you could combine this with, zoo isn't anything special, but if you are there you might as well) and then the Nashville Zoo (could also go Zoo Knoxville or Louisville Zoo, but I would recommend Nashville) instead of those two.
Barbmom
Member
Thank you for the suggestions. We want to definitely get to other zoos but planning a different trip to Tennessee for zoos and Gatlinburg. We've been to louisville since it's only 2 hours away. But welcome to suggestions
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
None of these zoos are full day zoos in my experience, I have only visited 4 of them (NC, 2 Atlanta, and portion of Smithsonian) and it took me about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to do the NC zoo. I skipped stream side though. Definitely possible in 7 days.
Your longest day will most likely be DC or NC, and I think it’s possible to do a double hitter in Atlanta.
Your longest day will most likely be DC or NC, and I think it’s possible to do a double hitter in Atlanta.
Barbmom
Member
Thank you
Is it really that unbelievable? Like you said, it's a pretty big place with a lot of walking, and while it may not have THAT many exhibits, it still has a decent collection. It can also depend on what time of the year you visit and if you choose to do the extra attractions like the Butterfly Garden or the Zoofari. And given the walking distances, even the slightest distractions or hold up can really add up. Everyone paces themselves and prioritizes attractions differently. Also, even if someone could do the whole zoo in less than a day, I know I can't be alone when I say I like to cycle back to previous exhibits to potentially catch animals I missed the first time.
I actually kind of struggle to do NC all in one day because something will inevitably keep my attention and hold me up. But the real issue comes from the Zoofari; you need to beeline to Junction Plaza to buy a ticket, arrive at the line in Junction Plaza prior to the tour time, and then it's about a 45min-1hour tour. That eats a significant chunk into the day. On my last couple of visits, I did not get to the last exhibit until at most an hour prior to closing. And this was without the aviary. In a way, I am low key dreading the opening of Asia.
But then again, I am far from normal when it comes to planning out visits, considering I have spent 12 straight hours in both the Georgia and National Aquariums, 10 straight hours at Smithsonian Zoo, and Zoo Atlanta, Riverbanks, and Tennessee Aquariums all being full day rope-drop-to-when-they-kick-me-out-at-close visits for me. Oh, and Bronx Zoo was a 3-day affair for me because I couldn't even do that in one day.
We are not the same.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Only zoos I’ve done from open to close were SDZ and Omaha! Mind you, I did the entirety of Omaha twice missing lied jungle and the aviary. For SDZ however, I missed the children’s zoo. Atlanta took me 1 hour to do!
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
We are not, but perhaps not for the reason you might suspect.
Unlike a lot of folks on this forum, when I visit a new zoo or aquarium for the first time, it’s often not for a personal visit - it’s for work. Maybe I’m there to meet with someone, or as part of an animal transport, or something along those lines. As it is, my time is often somewhat limited and not my own. That means if I want to see the zoo, I need to be extra efficient.
My strategy is usually to sweep through the entire place quickly, noting everything as I go. Then, i circle back for anything that I either missed the first time (maybe it wasn’t out yet, or was hiding) or that I’d like a second look at. This strategy general enables me to see everything in fairly short order.
Some exhibits I give little more than a walk by to - at this point in my life, there have been more days in which I’ve seen a giraffe than days I haven’t, so unless there’s something particular special to catch my eye about the exhibit, I’m fine with a quick glimpse that day. Something truly special or unique, I’m willing to spend some time. A lot of folks do not particularly enjoy zooing with me, because I’ll spend barely a minute at the gorillas, but will circle back to a nocturnal, small mammal exhibit three or four times until I finally see it out and about, and then watch it for a while.
Which, of course, isn’t to say I think there’s anything wrong or weird with your preferences for taking time, even if National Zoo to me is a four hour walk on a day when I’m taking it leisurely. There’s no wrong way to see a zoo, as far as I’m concerned, as long as you are able to enjoy and appreciate the animals in a safe, respectful manner
Personally I would not skip Metro Richmond. I have not been, but it is on my short list. I like to see decent non-AZA zoos when possible as it helps me keep a perspective that the AZA is certainly the bar that zoos in the US are judged against, but one does not have to be AZA accredited to be decent.
If you are interested in a safari park you could add Atlanta Safari Park, you will be driving right past it anyway. There isn't anything particularly special about it, but it is fun drive through safari with a small walk through area with budgie aviary and domestics.
If you are interested in a safari park you could add Atlanta Safari Park, you will be driving right past it anyway. There isn't anything particularly special about it, but it is fun drive through safari with a small walk through area with budgie aviary and domestics.
biggest_dreamer
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of the prioritization is going to come down to whether one wants to see as many rare species as possible, focus on high quality exhibits, or just cast a wide net and hit as many relatively noteworthy zoos within it as is feasible. If you want to focus on high quality exhibits, then Metro Richmond is by far the weak link here. But if you want to see some very rare species (mostly monkeys, but also a handful of ungulates in this case), then it should be an easy lock. Of course, I'm not saying that any of these zoos need to be deprioritized, because either way this should be comfortably doable within the timeframe suggested. I just don't think that there's any real grounds to definitively say what should or shouldn't be a priority given that @Barbmom hasn't actually stated their interests/priorities for this trip or their general zoogoing habits.
Like, on the flip side of the Metro Richmond thing, North Carolina has stunning exhibitry. Absolutely massive enclosures. But off the top of my head, I think the only species I've seen that are unique to this facility for me are parakeet auklet, fringe-eared oryx, and gray mouse lemur (just checked and can extend this list to include thick-billed murre and a half dozen or so herps). I know that parakeet auklets aren't kept anywhere else, but if one is trying to just see as many novel species as possible and don't find these three appealing, maybe North Carolina could be a lower priority for this sort of trip. I love this zoo so I could never actually recommend deprioritizing it without more context, but it really does just all come down to priorities.
Actually now that I think about it, maybe Greensboro Science Center is worth looking into too if you haven't, and find yourself with a bit of extra time the day before or after North Carolina Zoo. While I haven't actually been to this one, they've got a surprisingly large and interesting collection for what you might not initially think of as a zoo.
Like, on the flip side of the Metro Richmond thing, North Carolina has stunning exhibitry. Absolutely massive enclosures. But off the top of my head, I think the only species I've seen that are unique to this facility for me are parakeet auklet, fringe-eared oryx, and gray mouse lemur (just checked and can extend this list to include thick-billed murre and a half dozen or so herps). I know that parakeet auklets aren't kept anywhere else, but if one is trying to just see as many novel species as possible and don't find these three appealing, maybe North Carolina could be a lower priority for this sort of trip. I love this zoo so I could never actually recommend deprioritizing it without more context, but it really does just all come down to priorities.
Actually now that I think about it, maybe Greensboro Science Center is worth looking into too if you haven't, and find yourself with a bit of extra time the day before or after North Carolina Zoo. While I haven't actually been to this one, they've got a surprisingly large and interesting collection for what you might not initially think of as a zoo.
Oh, I will throw out that an option is Sylvan Heights Bird Park in NC. It is reasonably on the way from Richmond between Richmond and Asheboro (NC Zoo) and if you are at all interested in birds then it is a must see IMO. Great exhibits, rare birds, non-AZA, just a real special place all in all.
Great! I figured you likely had been to Louisville because it was so close. Hope you have a great trip! Not sure if you are trying to hit more than one facility in a day, but let me know if you end up needing suggestions for some smaller places to combine with these zoos. I'm guessing this may not be a zoo exclusive trip though and you may be hitting some other sites too.
Do you even stop to see the animals? (Said in a joking, light and sarcastic tone.) I thought I was fast at times, but you make me look slow.
Definitely wasn't trying to say that either of those zoos aren't worthwhile! I've been to and enjoyed my visits to both. More so just pointing out that if the goal of this trip is to hit some bigger, more well known places, I wouldn't prioritize these.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Nope
To be honest, I just skimmed through most of the habitats, just stopping at polar bears, giraffes, elephants, baboons, desert and rhinos. I skimmed through the NA region just caring to see the desert and polar bears. As for Atlanta, none of the animals were also stop worthy, just drills, gorillas, rhinos, sun bears, and pandas.
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Oh no, I didn't interpret it that way - and you are right in your assertion about hitting the more well known zoos
I just wanted to offer a different (and often dissenting) opinion as many people here loath non-AZA zoos.