YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE an African safari to satisfy your animal attraction. Here are six places within an hour's drive of Atlanta where visitors can commune with critters big and small.
Kangaroo Conservation Center
If you're looking to experience wildlife from the Land Down Under, there's no need to stockpile frequent-flyer miles. Just trek one hour north of Atlanta to Dawsonville for a visit to the Kangaroo Conservation Center. More than 300 kangaroos representing nine species call the 87-acre habitat home. The center claims to have the largest conglomeration of kangaroos on non-Aussie soil. Guests can experience the Aussie Adventure, a guided tour aboard an open-air truck that includes the Wild Australia show, a 45-minute animal demonstration. For an extra charge, take the Wander Down Under walking tour that includes the Billabong Encounter, a bird and lizard exhibit. Guests must be age 6 or older.
THE 411: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays for Wander Down Under. 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for Aussie Adventure. $25-$30 Aussie Adventure; $18 Wander Down Under. Reservations recommended. 222 Bailey-Waters Road, Dawsonville. 706-265-6100, www.kangaroocenter.com.
Noah's Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center
The 250-acre Noah's Ark has a dual purpose. Its animal habitat serves as a rehabilitation facility for about 1,000 exotic, indigenous and domestic animals from zebras and primates to traditional farm animals. It's also a group home for as many as 24 children from newborns to age 18. The children interact with animals as a form of pet therapy, and guests are allowed to walk along 40 acres of nature trails to view the animals that live there. Indigenous animals that can be rehabilitated and survive in their natural habitats are released; those that can't remain at Noah's Ark as permanent residents. Admission is free, but donations are not only accepted, they are needed. It costs a minimum of $10,000 each month to feed the animals at Noah's Ark.
THE 411: Noon-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free, but donations requested. 712 LG-Griffin Road, Locust Grove. 770-957-0888, www.noahs-ark.org.
Tanglewood Farms
A population of more than 100 miniature animals occupy the faux Wild West town at Tanglewood Farms. On the self-guided tour, visitors may encounter a crew of tiny goats hanging out in a mine shaft while miniature turkeys, chickens and quail call the schoolhouse home. Meanwhile, a duo of mini potbellied pigs (Scarlett O'Hama and Rhett Gruntler) compete for attention. Guests are encouraged to pet and feed the animals (food is provided). And tots can take pony rides at Tanglewood's Livery stable, which is included in admission. In addition to the tours, both adults and kids can score horseback lessons. Call for pricing.
THE 411: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $9 per person; free for children younger than 1. 171 Tanglewood Drive, Canton. 770-667-6464, www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com.
Wild Animal Safari
Pine Mountain is nearly synonymous with the zen-like calm of Callaway Gardens. But things get a bit more exotic at nearby Wild Animal Safari. Its Serengeti Adventure allows vehicles to journey along a 3 1/2-mile paved road that runs through 200 acres where giraffes, bison, antelope and North American elk freely roam. Guests can take their own vehicles, pile into a guided bus or rent a zebra-striped van for the tour. After the safari, stroll through the Walk-About, a small section of contained animals that includes monkeys, alligators, North American black bears and more.
THE 411: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 10. Times vary thereafter. $16.95 ages 13 and older; $13.95 ages 3-12 and ages 60 and older; free ages 2 and younger. 1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain. 706-663-8744, www.animalsafari.com
Yellow River Game Ranch
Just off U.S. 78 sits this 24-acre wooded site that contains a beaucoup of animals native to Georgia. Cordial white-tailed deer greet guests along the 1-mile trail. If you have the proper grub, many of them will eat right out of your hand. Bring your own fruits, vegetables or saltines (no marshmallows or bread) or buy treats at the gift shop. Visitors can get up close with rabbits, sheep, goats and other barnyard animals, while potentially dangerous animals such as the black bears are kept at a distance. Yellow River Game Ranch is also home to Beau Lee, an 18-year-old groundhog that resides in a tiny mansion-like abode. Gov. Sonny Perdue dubs this groundhog Georgia's Official Weather Prognosticator, and crowds gather each year on Groundhog Day to see whether Beau will spot his shadow.
THE 411: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. $8 ages 12 and older; $7 ages 2-11; free for children age 1 and younger. (One child admitted free with each adult admission.) 4525 U.S. 78, Lilburn. 770-972-6643, www.yellowrivergameranch.com.
Zoo Atlanta
As far as animal attractions go, Zoo Atlanta remains the metro area's 800-pound gorilla. Elephants, lions, gorillas, orangutans, giraffes, a reptile house, pandas, a petting zoo of barnyard animals and new additions such as baby warthog Georgia P make up just a portion of the zoo's circle of life. But a little extra planning will enable you to get the maximum animal experience. Watch gorillas get their grub on from 2-3 p.m. each day. The orangutans eat from 2:30-2:45 p.m. daily. Grab a zoo map at the entrance for a list of other feeding times. The zoo's winged wonders are the stars of Time for Training, a show featuring parrots and raptors held 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays in the Wildlife Theater. Catch an elephant training demonstration at 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays-Sundays.
THE 411: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. $17.99 ages 12 and older; $12.99 ages 3-11; free ages 2 and younger; $13.99 for seniors, active military and college students. 800 Cherokee Ave., Grant Park. 404-624-5600, www.zooatlanta.org.
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