By Liz Horton - bio l email
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - This week I experienced a North Carolina style safari at the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. Lazy 5 is home to more than a hundred breeds of animals, some of which are pretty rare. You can go through in your own car or climb on board a wagon. We chose the wagon, and had an exhilarating adventure.
Expert tour guide Jamie Ellsworth has worked at the Lazy 5 Ranch for the past 5 years. "You gotta love it! You can't beat it, working with animals, the owners are great, it's great."
She rounded up the horses, and we were on our way. More than a hundred thousand people come through each year to see the animals, but it's not your ordinary zoo. Jamie says people are drawn to the ranch because of the unique experience. "Well you can feed everything. Everything's right there, right in your face."
You'll see are camels, pigs, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, deer, and more. In total, they have more than 750 animals. All you need is a bucket, and you're in business.
When you're done driving through stop by the petting zoo area. There you can feed birds, kangaroos, rabbits, and sheep. The ranch has a lot of repeat visitors too because things are always changing. Soon, the pigs will begin giving birth to baby piglets, which makes spring the best time to visit.
This outing is perfect for families. They have a large picnic area if you choose to bring your own lunch, and a concession stand if you prefer to purchase lunch. Lazy 5 also has a large playground for children to play on.
Admission is just $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for kids and seniors. I'd strongly suggest purchasing a bucket of feed for $3.00. The food draws the animals in and enhances the experience.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Start: Charlotte, NC US
1. Start out going SOUTHWEST on S TRYON ST toward W 4TH ST. (go 0.5 miles)
2. Turn RIGHT onto W HILL ST. (go 0.1 miles)
3. Merge onto I-277 S/US-74 W. (go 0.6 miles)
4. Merge onto I-77 N via EXIT 1C toward STATESVILLE. (go 26.5 miles)
5. Take the NC-150 exit, EXIT 36, toward MOORESVILLE/LINCOLNTON. (go 0.2 miles)
6. Turn RIGHT onto W PLAZA DR/NC-150. Continue to follow NC-150. (go 9.0 miles)
7. 15100 MOORESVILLE RD. (go 0.0 miles)
End: Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Rd, Mooresville, NC 28115 US
TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 42 minutes | DISTANCE: 36.80 miles
