For centuries, the only way to see a zebra and a camel on the same day was to ride a saddled camel all the way to the Serengeti. Witness climatological opposites coexist with today's Groupon: for $14, you get two drive-thru zoo tickets and three buckets of feed at Circle G Ranch in Strawberry Plains (up to a $28 value).
Circle G Ranch's environmentally minded staff conserves a USDA-licensed, 105-acre ranch at the foot of the Smoky Mountains over which 500 indigenous and exotic animals saunter as guests gawk from slow-moving cars. Founder Matt Michel admits vehicles to peruse his drive-thru zoo, brimming with roaming zebras, ostriches, buffalo, and grazing zoologists. Supply handfuls of feed to the mouths of wild turkeys and llamas through car windows along a 3-mile trail, or nuzzle a rotating cast of mammals up close in Circle G's petting zoo. For an additional fee, Groupon customers can upgrade to a truck safari tour, during which guests perch in the open bed of a vintage military truck. A portion of every purchase goes to animal feed and medical care, as well as education and conservation efforts to ensure animals' habitats are as permanent as craters inflicted during interplanetary spitball fights. Circle G Ranch is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last park entry at 4 p.m.
Circle G Ranch
Sprawling across 160+ acres of verdant grounds, Circle G Ranch curates a herd of more than 700+ exotic animals, allowing visitors to cruise down a 3-mile path to get close to the curious creatures. Zebras, emus, deer, and alpaca trot up to vehicles for handfuls of delicious feed, and guided safari-truck and camelback tours impart nuggets of information on the park's wildlife. After treks, visitor head to the petting zoo to visit a rotating gang of cuddly animals, such as baby lambs, goats, and parrots, along with an African crested porcupine and a family of sulcata tortoises.
Tips
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“Make,sure you don't wash your car before you go. :-) Love it!! ”
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“Definitely buy the feed they offer, and if you want to rent the jeep, get there early early. We missed it but still a great time, we just opened the side van doors...”
“Definitely buy the feed they offer, and if you want to rent the jeep, get there early early. We missed it but still a great time, we just opened the side van doors and rolled down the windows. Great place even for College Age Kids and adults, Noone under 21 in our group and we had a blast :) ”
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“GREAT family attraction !!! Fan for all ages!!!”
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