Cultural Tradition and the Largest Natural Habitat Zoo in the World!

      Asheboro, NC, USA

      P
      Patty
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      300 reviews
      Oct 27 - 28, 2021
      Group size: 30 - 40
      Cultural Tradition and the Largest Natural Habitat Zoo in the World!
      Asheboro, NC, USA

      Patty
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      300 reviews

      Oct 27 - 28, 2021
      Group size: 30 - 40

      About this trip

      THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT.  Thank you!  Scroll down to the bottom of the page if you wish to join the wait list.



      This two day/one night trip takes passengers to the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and the largest colony of working potters in the United States.  Both attract visitors from around the world and are located in North Carolina's Piedmont, just three hours west of Leland.  

      On Day One we arrive in Seagrove for a guided history and cultural tour of this region known for  its abundant and diverse natural clay deposits.  

          Immigrant potters settled here and forged a lifestyle that still exists three and four generations later.  Our day provides a glimpse of early utilitarian pottery and its progression to highly collectable works of art.  We will see the evolution of styles, shapes, glazing and firing techniques.  The studios themselves are unique with rural and functional charm.  The day will include demonstrations and time to meet some of the local potters.  At the end of our introduction to Seagrove and NC Pottery Highway, we overnight in nearby Historic Asheboro.  


      Day Two is a full immersion of the North Carolina Zoo.  The highlight of our visit is the ZooFari.  We  board a specially outfitted, open-air vehicle for an exclusive tour of the 40-acre Watani Grasslands!  An experienced zoo educator will introduce us to nine species—nearly 100 animals! Discover rhinoceroses, gazelles, greater kudus, ostriches and many exotic antelope. Guests may even get a special view of the elephants!.   There are some health-related considerations involved in the Zoofari option of the trip which are detailed below in ZooFari Safety Guidelines.   Rest assured, there will be plenty to see and do even if you decide to opt out of the Zoofari.  If you do, please use the blue Contact Organizer button to advise the Trip Organizer that you wish to opt out.  


      In addition to the ZooFari there will be plenty of time to explore all of your favorite habitats on your own. There are 1800 animals of more than 200 species!    Habitat choices include Africa, Desert, North America and you won't want to miss the Aviary with 100 exotic birds and 3,000 tropical plans.  You will also be armed with a schedule of animal feeding times and hopefully, unless the ground is too wet, we can visit the Giraffe Deck, where you'll be able to get eye-to-eye with these long-legged giants, an experience you'll never forget.   As if all this isn't enough, the North Carolina Zoo is home to a large collection of art, primarily sculpture, murals and mosaics for guests to enjoy.







       

      ZooFari Safety Guidelines

      The ride may be bumpy, as the vehicle crosses uneven terrain and may need to stop suddenly. Guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, claustrophobia or other conditions that could be aggravated by this wildlife adventure.

      Weather Dependent Experience at the Zoo

      In the case that severe storms from the previous day or night, cause the ZooFari terrain to be too muddy for vehicle transport, a refund for the cost of the ZooFari will be issued to participants.  

      Covid Vaccination Policy

      Proof  of vaccination is required on Trips by Patty trips.   Bus travel puts passengers at risk if not vaccinated due to the space limitation and air circulation. 


      What’s included

      • Transportation
        Motorcoach transportation
      • Accommodations
        Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Asheboro
      • Breakfast
        Full breakfast at the hotel
      • Reception
        Welcome Reception at the hotel
      • Zoo Admission
        Zoo Admission
      • Guide services
        Guide services by Patty
      • Snacks
        Snacks and water on the bus
      • ZooFari
        One hour open air vehicle adventure

      What’s not included

      • Dinner
        Dinner on own in Asheboro's Historic District. A list of dining options will be provided.
      • Lunch each day
      • Gratuity
        Bus driver gratuity is included but additional gratuity is always appreciated by the driver for exceptional service.

      Available Packages

      Double per person package price
      $254
      Single package price
      $307


      Itinerary

      Pottery and Polar Bears!
      NC Zoo and NC Pottery Highway overnight trip

      Day One - October 27, 2021

      8:30am - Depart Compass Pointe for an approximate 3 hour drive to Seagrove and Pottery Highway.   There are no good places to stop for lunch.  Please BYOL and snacks and drinks will also be offered on the bus.  

      Spend the day touring Seagrove and NC Pottery Highway followed by a late afternoon check-in at the Fairfield Inn in nearby Asheboro.  Following a Welcome Reception, featuring some locally sourced beverages and snacks,  the bus will board for the 2 mile drive into Asheboro's Historic District where you can dine on your own.  There is a variety of dining choices as well as a craft brewery to choose from.  A list of these choices will be provided well in advance.  


      .  

      Day Two - October 28, 2021

      9am - Following breakfast, we check out and make the short drive to the Zoo for our Zoo Experience.  

      We will need until approximately 3pm to thoroughly enjoy all the Zoo has to offer.  

       6:00pm - Approximate return time to Leland


      Your Organizer


      P
      Patty
      300 reviews
      I love to travel so in my partially retired life I decided to adapt my passion for travel along with 25 years of experience in Travel & Tourism to create Trips by Patty. I received a BA in American History from UNC-Chapel Hill. Not knowing what I was going to do with that degree, I started working as a desk clerk at a hotel in Raleigh. I enjoyed the hotel business and the career path began. Hotel operations and sales, Convention Center operations and marketing, destination marketing with a Convention Visitors Bureau and even a stint as a tour guide. What happened to the history degree? Well, many times when I am escorting my trips I share the history of the destinations we visit. It's a great feeling to take your career skills and adapt them to your own small business. I love what I do and hope you'll join me on a trip one day!

      Reviews

      RF
      This was a wonderful trip! So educational & information but in a very entertaining way. I learned so much and was very impressed by Hopsewee Plantation & all its employees! Trips by Patty did an awesome job & I look forward to many more tips with her!
      By Robin F for Hopsewee Plantation on Apr 14, 2024
      Fantastic day with excellent speakers/docents. Very educational experience at this lovely property. Food was excellent, I enjoyed the owner explaining how they came about owning the Plantation and the organizers did an excellent job keeping all participants safe, hydrated and on time with various stops. Worth every penny!
      By Nancy B for Hopsewee Plantation on Apr 14, 2024
      Our group had a wonderful time on this well organized, delightful and informative excursion. The bus was comfortable; Hopsewee exceeded my expectations. lunch was lovely. A memorable day
      By constance t for Hopsewee Plantation on Apr 14, 2024
      Had a wonderful time! Loved the 2 Trips with Patty that I’ve done But it would have been nicer to spend more time in the house - upstairs and the basement. The tour guides seemed to truncate and simplify the information. It would have been better if the tour guides knew that this particular group, the St. James Vintage Ladies, were all college educated women who all love and are well versed in history. For this reason I don’t think I got the full value of the price. The lunch was fantastic! The food as well as the serving staff were wonderful. Thanks for all you do, Patty and crew!
      By April B for Hopsewee Plantation on Apr 11, 2024
      Such a fun trip! Patty thought of everything! She had water and snacks for us! She had every activity planned to the minute! Patty definitely made sure everyone was comfortable and content during the trip!
      By Lynn D for Going Bananas in Savannah on Apr 08, 2024
      Show More Reviews