Zootastic Park
Family-owned zoo with exotic animals, offering drive-thru safaris, walk-through exhibits, and dazzling holiday lights.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more animal interaction
Zootastic Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more animal interaction
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Family-owned zoo with exotic animals, offering drive-thru safaris, walk-through exhibits, and dazzling holiday lights.
"A mixed bag, but the drive-thru safari and holiday lights are definite highlights for many visitors."
Separate Admissions!
Daytime zoo and nighttime lights require different tickets. Plan accordingly! 🎟️
Feed the Animals
Purchase food for camels, goats, and others for an up-close experience. Watch your fingers! :moneywithwings:
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 4,196 reviews
Type
Zoo
Website
zootasticpark.comHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Drive-Thru Safari
Designated drive-thru area
Experience exotic animals roaming freely in a large, naturalistic habitat from the comfort of your car.
Giraffe Feeding
Giraffe enclosure
Get up close and personal to feed these gentle giants. Watch your fingers!
Wonderland of Lights
Park grounds (seasonal)
Marvel at millions of dazzling Christmas lights during the holiday season, creating a magical atmosphere.
+1
Animal Encounters
Designated encounter areas
Engage with various animals through educational and interactive experiences, often with knowledgeable staff.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Animal Welfare Concerns
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Separate Admissions!
Daytime zoo and nighttime lights require different tickets. Plan accordingly! 🎟️
Feed the Animals
Purchase food for camels, goats, and others for an up-close experience. Watch your fingers! :moneywithwings:
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and get more personal time with animals, especially during peak seasons.
Check for Events
Zootastic hosts special events like Jeep shows. Check their schedule!
Tips
from all over the internet
Separate Admissions!
Daytime zoo and nighttime lights require different tickets. Plan accordingly! 🎟️
Feed the Animals
Purchase food for camels, goats, and others for an up-close experience. Watch your fingers! :moneywithwings:
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and get more personal time with animals, especially during peak seasons.
Check for Events
Zootastic hosts special events like Jeep shows. Check their schedule!
Bring Cash for Carousel
Carousel rides are $3 cash or can be purchased in the gift shop. :moneywithwings:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Zootastic Park offers a unique mix of a drive-thru safari and a walk-through zoo, with seasonal light displays being a major draw. Visitors enjoy animal encounters and the festive atmosphere, but some reviews highlight concerns about the park's upkeep and the conditions of certain animal enclosures.
"This is s great place to come with your kids and family. This parks is divided in 2 sections, one where you can walk through the different animal stations and the other part is a drive-thu in a big field of land. You get to experienced an up close of different animals like kangaroos, otters, camels 🐫, goats 🐐, penguins 🐧, lions 🦁, bear, capibarra, 🦒, 🐒, 🦌 🐎, 🫏, 🐄,🐫 and much more. Also, you can purchase w/ addtional cost food to feed fhe camels, goats, and others. They have an entrance like a barn where you can purchase ticktes, snacks and ofher miscellaneous farm type ornaments and next to it a big general store where you can find lots of plushes, toys, clothings and souvenirs for everyone.
They only downside of the place is that it looks a bit run-down. It needs a bit of love around the park."
Doreen Zapata
"Had a great time with the family. Started off walking around looking at the different animals. They had all kinds of animals such as lemurs, peacocks, grizzly bear, lions, leopards, goats, camels, kangaroos, and many more. There was a food and ice cream truck with reasonable prices. A carousel for kids to get on that you can pay $3 cash or go in the gift shop and buy your ticket. After we walked around, we got in the car to finish seeing other animals. We were there for 3.5 hours. Overall, good experience and excellent staff members."
Adam Hall
"Many of the animals were restless and agitated.. their enclosures weren't big enough or natural enough for them. Some were overgrown with weeds. The one lion truly looked sad. Please try and do better for them.
The giraffes were fun and the drive through part was good. The animals there cool & some really wanted those treats! Lol"
Dawn Hughes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Zootastic Park is located in Troutman, North Carolina, near Lake Norman. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available on-site. Many visitors mention it's a convenient drive from Charlotte.
Public transportation options to Zootastic Park are limited. It is primarily a destination best reached by private vehicle.
While specific directions vary based on your starting point, Zootastic Park is generally found by navigating to Troutman, NC. Using a GPS or mapping app is recommended for the most accurate route.
Yes, Zootastic Park offers parking for visitors. It's advisable to arrive early, especially during busy periods, to secure a good spot.
Absolutely! Zootastic Park is a popular day trip destination from Charlotte, NC, offering a fun escape for families and individuals.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission prices can vary, but adult tickets are generally under $20 for the daytime zoo experience. The nighttime Wonderland of Lights has a separate admission fee, typically around $10 per person.
While not always mandatory, purchasing tickets in advance can save time, especially during peak seasons or special events. You can often buy tickets at the entrance barn.
Yes, Zootastic Park has two distinct experiences: a daytime zoo and a nighttime Wonderland of Lights. Each requires a separate admission ticket.
The park is typically open daily from 9 am to 5 pm for the zoo. The Wonderland of Lights operates from 6 pm to 9 pm during the holiday season. They are usually closed on Tuesdays.
Information on discounts can vary. It's best to check their official website or social media pages for any current promotions or group rates.
🎫 🦁 Onsite Experience
Zootastic Park features a wide variety of animals, including kangaroos, otters, camels, goats, penguins, lions, bears, capybaras, giraffes, lemurs, and peacocks, among others.
Yes, you can purchase food at an additional cost to feed certain animals like camels and goats. Be mindful and follow staff instructions.
The drive-thru safari allows you to see exotic animals roaming freely in a large area from your vehicle. It's a popular and engaging experience.
Yes, Zootastic Park offers a carousel and train rides for kids, with tickets available for purchase.
Reviews are mixed. While some find the enclosures adequate, others have noted that the park appears run-down and some animals may not be in optimal conditions.
🍽️ 🍔 Food & Dining
Yes, there are food and ice cream trucks on-site offering snacks and treats. Prices are generally considered reasonable.
While outside food policies can vary, it's generally best to check with the park directly. However, there are on-site options available.
Visitors can find typical park fare, including snacks and ice cream. During the holiday lights event, s'mores and hot chocolate are also offered.
Yes, during the Wonderland of Lights, you can enjoy s'mores and hot chocolate to enhance your festive experience.
Zootastic Park primarily offers food trucks and snack stands rather than a full-service restaurant.
📸 📸 Photography
The drive-thru safari offers unique opportunities to photograph animals in a more natural setting. The giraffe feeding area and the holiday light displays are also very photogenic.
Yes, photography is generally allowed throughout Zootastic Park for personal use. Be mindful of any specific restrictions around animal encounters.
Absolutely! The Wonderland of Lights is a spectacular display, perfect for capturing festive photos and videos.
Typically, drone usage is restricted at most animal parks to avoid disturbing the animals. It's best to confirm with the park directly if you plan to use a drone.
A telephoto lens is useful for capturing animals from a distance, especially in the drive-thru safari. For the light displays, a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod can be beneficial.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit