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The Natural Science Center of Greensboro offers enough to easily fill a morning or afternoon.
The outdoor Zoological Park is home to dozens of animals from around the world; dozens more mounted animals are showcased inside. The center features a small aquarium, herpetarium, hands-on herpetology lab, and dinosaur gallery. There's a weather exhibit, a human body gallery, an impressive gem and mineral collection, and, as further proof that the center is a "swinging" place to visit, the lobby features a Foucault pendulum that demonstrates the Earth's rotation. All this is included in one low admission charge.
Distance
Greensboro is approximately 85 miles from Charlotte, just under two hours, one way.
To see and do
The outdoor Animal Discovery section is populated by such assorted critters as anteaters and otters, meerkats and monkeys, crocodiles and cockatoos. Tigers are on hand as well, along with lemurs, wallabies and giant tortoises.
Its Friendly Farm is home to goats, sheep, pigs, miniature burros and horses, and alpacas. Among the mounted species displayed indoors are an African lion, a spotted hyena and a Kodiak bear.
The Dinosaur Gallery features a fearsome, life-sized representation of a Tyrannosaurus, along with skeletons of a triceratops and a stegosaurus. Dinosaur tracks are seen here as well, along with fossilized plants and animals.
The aquarium and herpetarium are downstairs. Among the reptiles exhibited in the latter are rattlesnakes, pythons, anacondas and Gila monsters.
The center's Health Quest Gallery uses preserved human bodies and body parts to educate visitors about the heart, lungs and other organs.
The Extreme Weather exhibit focuses on tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and blizzards.
