The NC Zoo is known for its expansive, naturalistic habitats. You don't always get to see the animals close up, but you do feel like you're in Africa. One highlight was the gorilla that defecated in his hand and then ate it. Four times. Our girlies went wide-eyed over a well-endowed elephant bull. And we had fun with some new friends and two family members. Our favorites were the grizzly bear, the giraffes, the cougar, the chimpanzees and the baboons. It was our first rainy day at a zoo, but it sure didn't spoil our fun.

View photos of our trip to this zoo