Western North Carolina Nature Center

We visited for the first time this past week and will be back soon! The staff is excellent.. extremely knowledge of the animals and center. Every question I had was answered with no hesitation and they went out of their way to help me spot the hiding animals. My kids really enjoyed the nature play areas, and I really enjoyed the shaded seating options so I can watch them play. We stayed for four hours. The gem mining is a great deal.

My boyfriend took me here for our us day. He was telling me how it was when he use to go when he was younger. I honestly enjoy it and love the memory lane I got to experience with him. Most of the animals were asleep and in their shades. Which I understand since it was hot. Got to see some cool animal for sure.

Wonderful nature center highly recommend if you are in Asheville. Took our grandchildren we had a wonderful time. We were there around 2.5 hours. Were comfortable shoes some incline

We came for a visit and had a wonderful time! The exhibits are easy to access and it was such a fun time. It is very interesting to see the native animals and learn more about them! They even had "headphones" areas for neurodivergent people. There were lots of places for children to play.

Arrived right at opening on a Saturday. This place was outstanding. Not only were the animals and their habitats clearly well taken care of, but they also had children activities dispersed throughout that lets them touch and explore and imagine. A great experience for all, from 85-year-old birthday girl great-grandma on down to the 5 year old lit fuse of a boy.

Great zoo experience, very low-key but punches above its weight, with everything from bears to otters, a sizeable reptile collection with animals like the Salamander and albino snakes and different vulture types, the red panda is another highlight. You can rent push cars for $10 and take that throughout, fit for 2 kids. Not many food options onsite, with 2 vending machines (one for drinks another for snacks) and a Hawaiian icee truck just outside. The gift shop is ok.

Great place to visit and have a walk in nature there are a lot of animals including wolves. When we went it was a bit cold so the animals were not moving too much but you get different view angles into each enclosure making it easier to spot them.

We come here all the time, and it’s honestly one of our favorite places to slow down and reset. It’s such a peaceful spot to connect with nature—beautiful wooded trails, fresh air, and just an overall calming atmosphere. The paths are easy to walk and perfect for a relaxed stroll, whether you’re alone, with family, or with kids. It never feels overcrowded, and there’s always something new to notice depending on the season. A really special place to step away from the noise and just enjoy being outside.