School field trip with Elementary school.

We've visited Western North Carolina many times but never came to the WNC Nature Center. On a recent stay in the area, we noticed it was open on Sunday so we finally went. Although relatively small, the center is well planned and presented. It's technically a zoo, albeit a small one focusing mostly on native animals. We got to see otters (one of our favorites) along with wolves, bears, birds, reptiles and even a red panda. The cost is not exorbitant and you could do the whole park in 1-2 hours. There are also interactive exhibits and a play area to keep your kids occupied. Glad we went.

The WNC Nature Center was recommended to us by a server at the restaurant where we ate breakfast. Aside from meeting up with family and friends, this ended up being our favorite activity on our short trip to North Carolina. Parking was FREE, and adult admission (ages 16-64) was $16.95 plus tax. We visited on a Thursday shortly after 11:00 AM, so there weren't many people there compared to Saturdays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, which is their peak visitor volume. The Center is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last admission at 3:30 PM), and the best time to visit is Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM when the animals are more active. The center features paved, forested trails that provide a natural canopy of shade. The main path is about 1.3 miles long, and we spent about one hour and fifteen minutes touring the facility.The WNC Nature Center is one of only eight facilities in North Carolina accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), meaning it meets the highest, scientifically backed standards for animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, and ethical operations. We saw a Sicilian donkey, goats, chickens, and an endangered Cotswold sheep inside the barn and at the North Carolina Farm. Our next stop was the Appalachian Station, where small wonders of the Smokies, such as timber rattlesnakes, copperheads, turtles, the Eastern hellbender salamander, and frogs are housed. Afterward, we spent about five minutes watching North American river otters named Olive and Obi-Wan play at the Brandon's Otter Falls outdoor exhibit. We then walked to the Appalachian Predators exhibit; while the bobcats weren't out, we did see a lazy cougar lounging around, as well as gray wolves, red wolves, and coyotes. We spent another solid five minutes enjoying the red panda exhibit, which features an endangered species. We ended our walkabout at the Black Bear Ridge exhibit, where the two American black bears, Uno and Ursa, lay down the entire time and barely moved. The liveliest, as well as cutest, was far and away the red panda. This is a terrific place to bring a kid.

Wonderful nature center...clean, perfect size, with cute animals! Great for all ages.

Do not listen to the Google Reviews, this place is AMAZING!! I went in expecting a very small nature center with only a handfull of animals, especially since it was only $13 to get in. What it really was is comparable to a trip the Zoo Atlanta (granted probably about half the size). If you go, you will definitely want to bring lunch for a picnic at one of the tables, as you will be there for multiple hours, and they do not sell food. There are multiple playgrounds and activities for kids to do as well, one of my favorites was the wall painting with water. This place is definitely on my list to revisit next time I'm in town.