What it is: We were so excited when we found out about the Carolina Sciquarium opening recently. We used to have to go all the way out to the coast to visit an aquarium, but now we have one just an hour down the road.
Now, one of the Stir Crazy Moms has checked out the Greensboro Science Center before, and you can read all about her experiences here, but I had never been there. (She was able to explore some parts of the museum we didn't get to see on our visit. So, it's definitely worth a read even though some of the details have changed.) Admission to the Science Center includes the Sciquarium, so we could see the whole place for one price.
The Greensboro Science Center is a great place. They have a great zoo, an indoor museum sections with dinosaur skeletons and more, shows, and of course, the Sciquarium. So, there was actually more than we could see in the morning we were there. We started at the zoo because it was outdoors and we wanted to see it before the weather got too hot. It was a great zoo with many animals that we didn't even see at the Asheboro Zoo like tortoises, wallabies, anteaters, tigers, and more. It was actually a really nice zoo.
They have a Fresh Market Cafe that I'm sure has yummy foods and vending machines, but we decided to go the cheaper route because admission prices are a bit high. They have picnic tables out at the zoo area as well as tables downstairs where you can eat your packed lunch.
After lunch, we headed over to the Sciquarium. It was great. It was definitely smaller than the stand alone aquariums out at the coast, but there was still plenty to see. They had otters, penguins that came right up to the glass and said hi, tanks with fish, sting rays and more, a touch and feel area where you could feel sting rays as they swim by, and a big tank with sharks gliding by. The kids loved all of it, especially the area where they could actually touch the sting rays.
What we liked: We loved how big this place was. There was so much to see! The brand new Sciquarium was awesome, and we could see a lot of unique animals up close.
What we would change: The admission is a bit high at $11.50 for kids 3-13 and $12.50 for adults, but they do give 50% off to Asheboro Zoo members. That price does get you in to all of the exhibits though. It is also a bit far away, but it only took us about an hour and ten minutes to get there. (Oh, and they specifically say that they do NOT give a discount to NC Museum of Life and Science members.)
Website and other important information:
Website: http://www.greensboroscience.org/index.shtml
Address: 4301 Lawndale, Greensboro, NC 27455
Hours: Museum and Sciquarium: 9am-5pm, Animal Discovery Zoo: 10am-4pm
Admission Prices: Adults-$12.50, Kids 3-13-$11.50, Under 3 are free
Photos:
(up close and personal with the penguins)
(one of the sting rays ready to be petted)
(Sharks! My boys loved watching these.)
(a view across the Sciquarium)
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