Out of the Box Weekend Activities
Do you ever find yourself stuck in a rut on weekends in Burlington, desperate for a fun activity but not really sure what to do? Don’t be afraid to branch out from brunch or a party on a Saturday here and there. Check out these not-so-typical activities less than an 30 minutes away from Elon!
The Lazy 5 Ranch is a drive through zoo in Mooresville, North Carolina and is only a little more than an hour away. You can stay in your car the entire time as all different kinds of exotic animals come right up to your window! It’s almost like you’re on your own African safari tour in the middle of North Carolina. For only $11, you can see and feed giraffes, kangaroos, llamas and more!
Escape Rooms have become a popular activity over the past few years, and Greensboro has its very own awesome venue. Grab a group of friends and head to Breakout Games, only 30 minutes from campus. Breakout Games has a variety of different escape rooms, with themes like museum heists and kidnappings. With only a trail of clues to follow, you and your friends need to figure out how to escape the room in under an hour.It’s an entirely new take on arcade games, and a surreal version of virtual reality that is sure to make your Saturday one to remember.
If you’re interested in animals outside of the dog and cat variety, the Conservators Center in Burlington is less than a half hour away. With animals like wolves, lions and coyotes,he the Conservators Center isn’t your typical zoo. The animals are just behind small fences, and you can get even closer than you may be used to. You can also watch staff members interact one on one with these typically dangerous animals. It’s an experience you definitely won’t forget.
Before it gets too cold out, you should definitely check out the Haw River–Elon’s water source. You can kayak through the river’s paddle trails to explore all of Burlington’s natural beauty. The Haw River also has hiking trails from novice to expert for when the weather surrenders to autumn, and is a lot closer than trails like Hanging Rock.
Discover a piece of Napa Valley in North Carolina at the Grove Winery in Gibsonville, only 13 minutes from campus. If you’re 21, you can do a wine tasting for only seven dollars, and you don’t even need a reservation. If you aren’t 21, Grove Winery hosts a ton of activities on the weekends as well, from food truck festivals to cheese tastings to live music! It’s a great way to spend your Saturday away from Elon without having to go too far.