A Wildlife Park In North Carolina, Lazy 5 Ranch Is A Fantastic Family Day Trip

Let's just call this the year of adventure and start planning some amazing things to do and places to staycation right here at home in North Carolina! We'll start with a day trip that's unlike any other you'll find in the Tar Heel State: a unique destination with more than 750 exotic animals that love attention. You're going to love visiting this wildlife park in North Carolina. Check it out below.

Who knew we could find such an exotic wildlife park just outside of Charlotte in the city of Mooresville? This small city in North Carolina is known for being homebase for many NASCAR drivers, but you don't need a racecar to drive the 3.5 mile loop at this exotic animal safari.

However... you MAY need some of that race car driving fearlessness to deal with the friendly animals you'll encounter!

Oh, and you may need a whole container of those disinfectant wipes...

"Say what?"

At the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, you'll encounter some of the most eager exotic animals you've ever seen. They'll come right to your vehicle and eat out of your hand. They love attention — and food!

"Feed me!"

If you find yourself wondering if you really want to risk your picture-perfect vehicle with a two-ton beast with giant horns, then not to worry... Lazy 5 Ranch has a horse-drawn wagon you ride on instead of bringing your own car.

This African-like safari opened over 25 years ago just 25 miles north of Charlotte. The unique park is home to 750 animals from six different continents. Now that's a day trip WAITING to happen!

One thing to know before you go: the ranch is cash only, no credit cards are accepted.Lazy 5 Ranch is located at 15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville, NC 28115. With the exception of a few holidays, they are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until one hour before sunset. Sunday hours vary by season. General admission is $11 for adults (12 and older) and $8 for children 2-11 and seniors 60+. Wagon rides are an additional fee and should be reserved in advance to guarantee your space. Learn more about the Lazy 5 Ranch (like how they got their name!) on their official website.

Have you ever embarked on one of these animal adventures in North Carolina? Share your experiences of this wildlife park in North Carolina with us in the comments below!

For more adventures, check out these five day trips in North Carolina you can take by train.