Asheville - The Western North Carolina Nature Center

by - Sunday, December 04, 2016

At times, I know I am flogging a dead horse when I say that the smaller, lesser known venues and tourist sites can be the best. But that's how life has become in Western Carolina. This zoo is too big. This zoo is too small. This zoo is just right. Truth be told, there is no zoo that is just right. The territories these animals roam in the wilderness wouldn't be covered if any of these critters had the whole zoo to itself. I still prefer to think that there is some benefit to having zoos as a whole, especially in today's ever changing world that is extinguishing animal species with each new year and its out of whack climate.

A few posts back, I already wrote about Hollywild. I could easily mention the Greenville Zoo, which is just as entertaining, even with their limited resources. In our area, The Western North Carolina Nature Center is the closest Asheville (or any place in Western Carolina) will ever come to having a zoo. That said, it is a dandy. Again, nothing against the San Diego Zoo. I was a member of their zoological society for years. But I also happen to know how the monied interests are involved in a brand like the San Diego Zoo. I remember the crowds at the zoo only too well and remember many rainy days I spent there in peace and quiet. I also know that the kids lost interest one hour into our tour. Too big a place, too many species, too much information. Great for an adult, but a challenge for an entire family, especially if you have little kids.

The Nature Center (notice how they avoid the word 'zoo') is located on 42 acres off the 40 interstate, just a couple of miles to the east of Biltmore Village. It's in a low-hectic part of town, and I can't recall ever having seen the place packed or crowded. The parking lots are always a good indicator of the day's activities, and there is hassle-free off street parking, should the designated lots all be occupied in the summer. The Nature Center doesn't pretend to be anything it's not: it's merely an animal exhibit with a non-corporate feel to it. 

People are best off to follow the two to three hour rule. Allow yourself one hour for walking and watching, the break for the playground (there's a good one here), then finish up after the playground/snack break. Works like a charm every time. To make things a little more educative, the zoo features animals native to Western Carolina. There are some formidable natives here: black bears, wolves, cougars, otters, birds of prey, all from the Western Carolina sticks. It's a wonderful collection, plus the petting zoo featuring the sheep and donkeys.

Zoos need to be designed to catch a kid's attention in order to maximize a family's experience. Near the main entrance, there are the snakes, the lizards, even a least weasel, all housed in small glass enclaves. Great, great place with helpful volunteers who are every bit as knowledgeable as any of the hired help I have ever seen at other zoos and nature reserves. 

From there, the visitors hit Otter Falls, probably the best exhibit with its series of slides and pools. Now that the WNCNC has the kid's attention, it decides to keep the foot on the gas. Most families, including us, decide to hit the Petting Area next, where there are sheep, goats and donkeys. From there, it's a short skip over to the barn, where guests can try their hand at working on a farm.

42 acres of land is quite a remarkable size for the small amount of species the Nature Center actually has. This becomes evident once the visitors make their way over to the bears, the cougars and the coyotes housed in their large enclaves. Again, I realize that these animals are caged and that their actual territories could cover the whole town of Asheville. But I've seen far, far worse. The Nature Center looks human compared to most.

At the middle of the itinerary, there is a playground. This is where we stop, buy a few sodas, and take a break. Just further up the path, before the wolves and coyotes, there is a short nature trail that you can use, maybe a mile long. It's one I always use, especially if the kids have energy to burn.

So the Western Carolina Nature Center is another place to go if you are heading to Asheville but haven't quite figured out how to entertain the troops (that means the kids) yet. Set 2-3 hours aside for the trip, let them walk...and yes, by all means let them enjoy the animals. 

You May Also Like

0 comments

Blog Archive