CityView Magazine

travel Great Escapes Summer is not the only time to schedule getaways to remember O etteville area. By Michael JAENICKE But here's to the bison, elk, bears, giraffes, turtles, seals, k, you may have to book most of these for the weekend, but there are alligators, monkeys, chimpanzee, gorillas, meerkat, foxes, many available options easily with- cougars, elephants, antelopes, ostriches, waterfowl and in driving distance from the Fay- their animal kingdom friends that call the 500-acre habitat Family fare on tap includes kaleidoscopic views from the land, sea and the Carolina skies. On these journeys your family, which could include an SUV-loaded mixture of toddlers, teens, wannabe grownups, adults and seniors can enjoy scary pirates tales, spooky rides, finger prints from the bottom of the sea and outer space and historical Civil War footprints, all of which are painted on the colorful cornucopia canvas of autumn. All things that grow green in nature, wildlife odysseys and man-made wonders abound as trips that flip the switch directly on fall fun. Here are seven super destinations suggestions. If nothing else, it should awaken your inner travel agent with fresh and stimulating ideas.   Location: Asheboro Miles from Fayetteville: 80 Must see: N.C. Zoo With more than 1,600 individual species, namedropping any of the 223 species at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is nearly an impossible task. their home. Located at 4401 Zoo Parkway in Asheboro, the facility is one of the most unique attractions in the state, no matter when you visit it. Things get particularly lively in the fall when the zoo puts on its annual festivities centered around Halloween. Boo at the Zoo, Batology and Howl-O-Ween are a trifecta of popular events that include games, face painting, musicians and magicians along with other unusual and interesting entertainment. Native American dance and storytelling is the focus during Howl-O-Ween, which is October 12. Red Wolf conversations enlighten and bring a refreshing seasonal delight to the event. Batology, which screeches and flies with reckless abandon on October 19-20, won't be a letdown for visitors either if the past is any indication. Boo at the Zoo, which plays out on October 26-27, provides a fitting fall climate to the unofficial "holiday" season. The grand finale event has a costume contest where competitors display wildly creative attire. CityViewNC.com | 39

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