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Corporations and other groups are welcome at N.C. Zoo. Our roaming exhibit trails and large picnic areas will ensure your group has plenty of elbow room. The Zoo's on-site caterer can provide a wide menu of services.
In addition, your group may qualify to receive discounted admission to visit the Zoo. One person (group leader) will receive free admission.
We also offer special rates for professional travel organizations. Bus drivers and tour industry escorts with groups receive free admission to the Zoo.
If you are a visiting school group click here.
For your group to receive special group ticket prices:
Groups may rent one of our picnic areas on a "first-call" basis. There is also a public picnic area near the North America entrance, available on a "first-come" basis.
Catering arrangements for picnics may be made by calling the Zoo's catering service, Sodexho Services, at (336) 879-7375. You can review their service offerings here.
Payment may be made by cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal or organization check.
Motor coach, out-of-sate schools, special needs, and scout groups pre-register in advance (1 week) to receive the group discount. Other groups may register by calling 336.879.7700, Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 to register.
If an attending corporation is a member of the North Carolina Zoo Society, the group leader should call (336) 879-7250 (the N.C. Zoo Society) for ticket information.
Most of our facilities are outside. Due to weather conditions, some animals may not be on exhibit. We do not offer refunds or rain checks.
Parking is free. Because of the high number of buses bringing groups to the Zoo, we request that ONLY buses park in the designated area. Buses should unload and load in parking lots only, not at entrance curbs. All other vehicles should park in regular parking lots, not the ones for buses. North America bus parking lot #A. Africa bus parking lot #1 only.
If the North America lot is full, please tell your driver(s) to unload in North America and park in Africa lot # 1. We will provide a shuttle bus back to North America so drivers can wait until your group is ready to leave. The driver(s) would then use our shuttle to get their bus and return to load your group. The shuttle cannot accommodate your entire group.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.