Zoos expose children to animals sometimes giving them the opportunity to learn about new animals. The Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, and the Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro have hundreds of animals on their grounds. Stop by the Cape Fear Serpentarium in Wilmington to see reptiles, some of which are the rarest in the world. Examples of the venomous snakes include: king cobras, spitting cobras, black mambas, and the eyelash viper. The center also has constrictors, and crocodiles. There are also lizards like the green iguana and the blackthroat monitor. According to the Serpentarium website, more than 80 reptile species are represented. Jambbas Ranch in Fayetteville has animals, including llamas, buffalo, grizzly bears, and elks in their natural habitat. Take a tour of the ranch, and children can pet some of the small animals. See the maras, an animal that resembles a large guinea pig. Maras are rodents -- the fourth largest in the world, according to Jambbas.com. Nilgais, are another unusual animal found at the farm. They are antelopes, but only the males in the species grow horns. The most well-known zoo in the state is the state zoo in Asheboro, which is open 364 days a year and has more than 1,100 animals.
On hot summer days, families can cool off at Fantasy Lake, a water park in Hope Mills near Fayetteville. TFamilies can bring food to grill on barbecue pits at the park and have a picnic. The park also has a beach area with volleyball. Daring youngsters can swing into the water on trapeze swings or slide down into the water on the facility's slides -- master slides and banana slides. Pedal boats, drop slides with a free fall to drop riders into the water, and a platform to jump into the water are for fearless children and adults. Play basketball, volleyball or horseshoes as well. There are convenient lockers and showers at Fantasy Lake to change clothes and wash up.
Take children to experience beautiful flowers and exotic plants in North Carolina's gardens. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville has 77 acres of land where families can explore the gardens, tobacco barn and farmhouse dating back to 1800, according the North Carolina Visitors Bureau. Other notable gardens in North Carolina include the Arboretum in Asheville and the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill.
North Carolina's lighthouses were used for centuries to warn sailors of hazardous conditions on the sea from North Carolina's coast. Two of North Carolina's most renowned lighthouses to explore include Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, which was first lit in 1875, and the lighthouse on Bald Head Island. "Old Baldy" is the oldest standing lighthouse in the state. The island is accessible only by passenger ferry. Climb to the top of the lighthouses for incredible views.
