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Dan Nicholas Park
Petting Zoo in Charlotte, North Carolina
Dan Nicholas Park
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6800 Bringle Ferry Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
866-767-2757
704-216-7803
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-K
School-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Petting Zoo
Nature Center
Boating
Fishing
Dan Nicholas Park Description
Dan Nicholas Park has something to please every child. Besides a big playground, the park features an old-fashioned carousel and a miniature train ride that weaves through the woods, and a nature center that houses live animals and a petting barn. Rock hounds will love the gem mining, where they can sift out real gems and then have them identified or even cut into jewelry. If that's not enough, there's also miniature golf and paddle boating, and a water area with elaborate sprinklers in the summer. All activities are either free or very inexpensive.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: The train ride is a huge hit with kids this age. It's gentle, and goes past some (tame) surprises in the woods.
School-Age Kids: The most popular feature for school age kids is the gem mining. They end up with a lot of gems (even with the small, $7 bucket) so nobody leaves disappointed.
Planning Notes
- Quench your thirst. There's a concession stand beside the lake that sells drinks and snacks.
- Go fishing. Pick up a fishing permit at the concession stand.
- Bring a picnic. Plenty of covered shelters make the park an ideal spot for a picnic.
- Fun shopping. The gift shop next to the miniature railroad sells train-related toys and clothes, as well as old-fashioned candy.
- Camp here. The campground features both cabins and tent sites.
- Bear feedings. On weekends, watch the keepers feed the bears in the bear habitat in the woods.
Just the Facts
Hours: May-June: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; July-August 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Check the park website for hours during other times of year.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 2 - 4 hours
