My First Time: Lazy 5 Ranch In Mooresville

I've been hearing about Lazy 5 Ranch for several years now and finally made the 40-minute drive to the animal farm in Mooresville yesterday. Andrea and I went, and even though I knew enough about it to know what to expect, there's nothing like experiencing it for yourself. With this being the end of summer and fall soon upon us, now is as good a time (and weather) as any for you to visit.

Lazy 5 Ranch is a privately owned and operated attraction in Mooresville that's open daily to the public. It features more than 750 animals from six continents, and you get to see them while riding along a three-and-a-half-mile safari trail. You can choose to drive the trail in your own car, or ride one of the wagons, which depart at scheduled times. We drove, which I think enhances the fun because you can go at your own pace (assuming there's not a lot of cars on the trail).

You have the option of feeding the animals (all except for the "cows with the long horns, buffalo, or the zebra" as the instructions state--I assume they're the really mean ones). You do that after purchasing a bucket of feed. While driving along the trail, you're not allowed to get out of the car (you don't really want to), but it truly is like a safari ride. You'll pass many exotic animals. And not just pass them--they'll come up to your car windows. These animals know that the sight of cars means that chances are a bucket of food will soon be dangling out of the window. The alpaca seem to be the greediest--it's funny how intuitive they are to the sound of windows rolling down. And it can be a little frightening to see some of the large animals approach your car, but that adds to the fun.

The safari trail is undoubtedly the most popular attraction, but Lazy 5 is also home to petting areas (where you can walk around and get close to animals), a playground, picnic area, gift shop, and a few snack options like an ice cream stand. It's fun for the whole family, and is also a great date option. I'll let these photos I took with my Windows Phone tell the rest of the story.

The sight of one of the animals inspired this tweet from me yesterday (ode to the Geico "Hump Day" commercial):

Uh oh, guess what day it is. Guess what day IT IS. At Lazy 5 Ranch in #Mooresville. pic.twitter.com/mbufhBphcF
— Jarvis Holliday (@HollidayInk) September 8, 2013

Lazy 5 Ranch is open year-round. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. until 1 hour before sunset; Sunday 1 p.m. until 1 hour before sunset. General admission: adults, $9.50; children (ages 2-11) and seniors, $6.50; feed available for $3 per bucket. Admission with wagon ride (includes feed): adults, $14.50; children and seniors, $9.50. Only cash is accepted, no debit or credit cards.

Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville, 704-663-5100, lazy5ranch.com, Facebook.