You’ll hear him before you meet him. He’s handsome, he knows how to dance, and he’s one of the world’s loudest bird species–135 decibels loud. Oliver, a 45-year-old white cockatoo, is the Neuseway Nature Center’s most popular resident. He fluffs his white feathered crown for visitors, bobs up and down when he hears a good jam, and he’s quite the talker. He’ll even wish you a "happy birthday," if you give him a little encouragement.
Oliver is just one of many characters you’ll meet at the Nature Center’s live animal exhibit. You can also pet the more demure and cuddly Flemish rabbit named Flopsy. She’s the exhibit’s newest addition and may grow to be some 20 pounds by the time she’s an adult.
Elsewhere on the main level you’ll find some less friendly creatures including alligators, snakes, and turtles. There are also quite a few taxidermy friends to see and a saltwater touch tank where you can get up close and personal to coastal creatures.
Down below the main exhibit is the Underground Cave. Only the bravest of visitors venture here to get a glimpse of "The World’s Most Dangerous Creature," along with a groundhog named Woody, a skunk, aquariums filled with fish from the Neuse River.
The Nature Center is just one part of the Neuseway Nature Park for visitors to explore. Discover the entire campus where experiential learning, getting your feet wet, and camping by the Neuse are encouraged.
Ellis Planetarium, Health and Science Museum
Prepare for jaws to drop and wows to follow at the Ellis Planetarium. The 60-seat round room features a 24-foot giant dome where the wonders of the night sky float above visitors. Take an upclose trip to planets, nebulae, black holes, and other celestial phenomena at their daily shows. Avid stargazers will notice that the shows change with what’s in the sky that night. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to catch a laser show, movie, or even a video game tournament.
The building also houses the Health and Science Museum. The two-story open room features 5,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits. This museum is a blast for kids. Most are drawn to the model train chugging around the perimeter of the room. Budding surgeons will get a kick out of the Giant Operation game or crawling through a large intestine in the digestive system exhibit. There’s also a spotlight on Lenoir County farm to table agriculture where kids can learn about healthy foods and see how local crops are grown.
Big Daddy’s Express and Playground
When you drive into the Neuseway Nature Park, it’s pretty hard to miss the huge outdoor playground on the right under the trees. Slides, bridges, swings–it’s got all you need to get the wiggles out of your group.
Once you’re done wiggling, get in line for Big Daddy’s Express, the miniature train ride that takes you under the canopy. It’s a hoot for small kids, and just the right amount of locomotion.
Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking on the Neuse River
With 55 acres along the Neuse River, the Neuseway Nature Park is a scenic spot to camp for the weekend. The full-hookup campground has 32 sites for RV and tent camping, plus hot showers, fire rings, and picnic tables to accommodate campers when they’re not borrowing one of the park’s kayaks and canoes to fish and explore the Neuse and fishing ponds nearby.
Campers and visitors take advantage of the self-guided nature trails that start off the campground. Hikers spot eagles, badgers, herons, and more as they explore the banks of the Neuse River. Anglers, bring your rod and reel to try your luck catching a largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, or perch.
The park’s campground is a great central location for exploring what Kinston has to offer. You’re a short walk or drive to the main attractions downtown. Not every campground is less than a mile from a lifesize replica of a Civil War-era gunship. Around the corner from the replica, you can take in a view of the skeletal remains of the real CSS Neuse II at the Interpretive Museum that also sheds light on what Kinston was like in the 1860s. Save some of your meal shopping for the Lenoir County Farmers Market which teams with the season’s ripe fruits and vegetables grown locally in the county. On the riverbanks opposite the park, follow the Pearson Park trail and find a giant dragon the kids in your group will love to climb and slay. And the downtown restaurants have everything from pizza and sushi, to famous farm-to-table inventions at Chef and the Farmer, Vivian Howard’s flagship restaurant.
Bring the whole family and discover this Eastern North Carolina small town. The Neuseway Nature Park is just a taste of all there is to explore and learn.