6000 Sample Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-6521
Hours of Operation
April 1 to October 31
Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
November 1 to March 31
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
Admission
Adults: $10
Seniors (65+)/Military/Teachers: $8
Students: $6
Members and children 4 and under: Free
View a slideshow of images from the Carolina Raptor Center
If you're looking for something a little different to do with the family, Carolina Raptor Center is the place to visit. It's not a "zoo" as some people tend to call it, but a "rehab facility" of sorts for injured birds or birds that otherwise couldn't survive on their own.
The center is dedicated to environmental conservation and the protection of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. Stroll along the 3/4 mile nature trail for a self-guided tour, where you can find over 20 species of raptors in their aviaries, watch a presentation of live raptors, read personal stories about the resident birds and how they came to live at Carolina Raptor Center.
Residents of the center include hawks, falcons, eagles, buzzards, vultures, owls and more. The collection does change, as birds are rehabilitated and released into the wild. Birds living at the center are ones that couldn't currently survive in the wild on their own, and it's interesting to hear their stories.
The center also has excellent presentations, showing birds that may not be available for viewing on the main tour. The center offers live bird presentations 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays, a vulture feeding show every Saturday around 12:30 and a rotating tour each month. There's a flight show, "Silent Hunters" every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day (12 and 2 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.). Tickets for the flight show are $5 in addition to regular admission fee.
The center is very kid-friendly, and pretty educational too. This place is small enough for little ones to not get tired of walking, but large enough to keep their attention throughout.
