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Lazy 5 Ranch Families can stay in the car or clamber aboard a horse-drawn wagon to view more than 700 animals during this unique 3.5 mile safari. Exotic animals at the ranch include rhinoceroses, giraffes, parrots, water buffaloes, antelope, elk and zebras. Visitors can pet and feed the animals with feed purchased at the site. The purpose of the 185-acre ranch is to educate as well as entertain, and affords opportunities for learning about endangered animal species. Other areas of interest include a blacksmith shop, gift store, horse barn, playground and picnic areas. The Lazy 5 Ranch is open daily year-round. Lazy 5 Ranch |
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Jungleland You can have a ball on the two mini 18-hole golf courses, cruise around on the bumper boats, win a prize at the large game arcade and enjoy rides on the Giant Swing, the Himalaya, and the Dragon. At the game arcade, you can try your hand at Skee-ball, motorcycle and car racing and visit Jurassic Park. This theme park also includes a carousel. Rides, arcade and golf courses are open April through September (perhaps longer depending on the weather). Jungleland |
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USS North Carolina Located across the Cape Fear River west of downtown Wilmington, this carefully restored battleship features nine decks, mess deck, sick bay and barbershop. The ship was commissioned in 1941, served in all twelve major Pacific naval campaigns in World War II, and is a stately memorial of North Carolinians who gave their lives in the war. The self-guided tour reveals much about military life in the 1940s. Visitors discover the showboat battleship was like a self-contained city, with officer’s and men’s quarters, hotel facilities, diners, movie theater, church, post office, newspaper, laundry, ice cream shop, soda fountain and repair shops used by the men who served aboard. There are also exhibits to view before going onboard as well. The battleship is open daily year-round. USS North Carolina |
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Paramount’s Carowinds This giant theme park outside Charlotte offers 105 action-packed acres with more than 50 rides, WaterWorks, a 13-acre water park playground, and other shows and attractions. The BORG Assimilator, Carowind’s newest roller coaster, takes brave riders through eight inversions and 2,781 feet of curves, drops and sweeping turns. Visitors can meet television characters such as Scooby-Doo and Jimmy Neutron and experience Paramount’s Magic of the Movies Live, a high-tech interactive show. Christian, pop and country music stars perform in the Paladium Amphitheatre. A county fair section has a NASCAR simulator and bumper cars. The park, the largest theme park in North Carolina, is open weekends through May, open daily during the summer and back to weekends starting mid-August. Paramount’s Carowinds |
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Tweetsie Tweetsie takes you back in time to the Wild West, where the U.S. Marshal fought off howling renegades and would-be train robbers. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park also provides game arcades, live music, Country Fair rides, Palace Saloon shows, petting zoo, a mining town where you can search for gold, and a three-mile journey on the famed, steam-powered Tweetsie train. Call or visit the Web site to check the schedule before you go. A new offering is the Tweetsie Twister ride on Miner’s Mountain. Upcoming events include a Magic Festival, a Western Heritage Weekend, performances by the Grammy-winning “Riders in the Sky” musical group, and the “Incredible Dog Team” show. Tweetsie |