North Carolina
Celebrating 50 years of the North Carolina Zoo
A North Carolina icon turns 50 this year, and you’re invited to the wild celebration.
Founded in Asheboro, NC in 1974, the North Carolina Zoo is the world‘s largest natural habitat zoo and one of the most expansive attractions in the state. It’s also considered an international leader in animal conservation, with field conservation programs in 10+ countries.
During this milestone year, there’s no better time to plan your trip to the heart of North Carolina.
What to do at the Zoo
From exciting animal encounters (think: elephants, lions, polar bears, and more), to enchanting art and family-friendly events, the Zoo delivers outdoor fun for all ages. Visitors can:
- Meet 1,700+ animals along a five-mile walking trail
- Feed a giraffe at eye level
- Take a spin on the endangered species carousel
- Join a Zoofari to see animals like rhinoceroses, ostriches, and exotic antelope up-close from an open-air vehicle
- Dine at unique dining spots like the Farm-to-Table Cafe
- Tackle kids and adults ropes courses
- Discover exotic and native butterflies in the walk-through butterfly garden, opening this May
Pro tip: Check out these affordable accommodations nearby.
Magnolia 23’s nationally-recognized fried chicken is a must-try.
Photo provided by Heart of NC Visitors Bureau
More to do in Randolph County
The fun doesn’t stop at the Zoo. Make the most of your time in the Asheboro area by adding these local hot spots to your itinerary:
- Kick-start your day with a caffeine boost and pastry from The Table.
- Explore zoo-themed public art in Downtown Asheboro.
- Add laser tag, zip line rides, axe throwing, and other attractions at Kersey Valley to your day of adventure.
- Enjoy Southern cuisine at Magnolia 23, voted one of “America‘s 75 Best Fried Chicken Spots” by Daily Meal.
- Cheer on the Asheboro ZooKeepers, a collegiate wooden bat team, at the newly renovated historic McCrary Park.
- Visit Richard Petty Tribute Park in Randleman, home of the “King of NASCAR.”
Keep planning your trip
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
-
South Dakota2 minutes agoFCS Football Recruiting Roundup: South Dakota, Montana State Target 2027 Defensive Standouts
-
Tennessee8 minutes agoNashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
-
Texas14 minutes agoTexas A&M Forward Transfer Seemingly on Visit to See Lady Vols Basketball | Rocky Top Insider
-
Utah20 minutes agoGolden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 1 prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets for Stanley Cup Playoffs
-
Vermont26 minutes agoVermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News
-
Virginia32 minutes agoVirginia’s special election redistricting battle is next week and has national impacts
-
Washington38 minutes agoThe Church of Jesus Christ has announced its 384th temple
-
Wisconsin44 minutes agoWisconsin authorities put total arrests from clashes at beagle breeding facility at about 25