safari park columbus ga

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Pine Mountain Safari

Phone 706.663.8744

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Pine Mountain Safari spans seven continents during the excursion through its 500-acre park… see hundreds of wild and exotic species of animals from around the world.

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Go on a wild animal adventure without ever leaving Georgia

Lions and tigers and — next year — bears. Oh, my!

If you also see lemurs, giraffes, zebras and a host of other creatures, you might be at Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain.

Admission to the park includes both the Drive-Thru Safari and the Walkabout Adventure Zoo.

Drive-Thru Safari

You can enjoy the 2½-mile drive in your own car or by renting a park vehicle if you don’t want to risk damage to your ride.

Along the way, you’ll get upclose and personal with more than 75 species of animals, including American bison, watusi, emus, ostriches, zebras and more.

If you drive your own car, you can explore the safari at your own pace. You are allowed to feed the animals, but only feed you bought at the park for $5.25. “Animal diets are specific and important. We want to avoid giving them anything which may cause them harm,” Wild Animal Safari wrote on its website .

If a bison headbutting your Buick worries you, rent a safari vehicle from the park. Each SUV holds 5-6 people, and drivers must be licensed with valid insurance and be at least 21 years old.

Walkabout Adventure Zoo

When you need to stretch your legs, head over to the Walkabout Adventure Zoo and make friends with peacocks and other exotic birds, lemurs, monkeys and more — 150 species in all.

At the Pavilion, you can feed giraffes. You can buy people food, too, at the nearby food trucks.

The Animal Barn houses a variety of birds and reptiles. There is also a petting zoo, and all exhibits can be explored at your own pace, so take your time getting to know the animals.

The park suffered damage, and lost some animals, during a March tornado, but it is rebuilding in three phases.

Phase One is the reopening of the Drive-Thru Safari, which began April 15, so you can enjoy that right now.

Phase Two is the partial reopening of the Walkabout Adventure Zoo, which should happen later this month. There will be two new exhibits — an aviary featuring macaws and budgie parrots, and the another with ring-tailed Madagascan lemurs — and the expansion of the squirrel monkey and singing dogs of New Guinea habitats.

Phase Three will be the full reopening of the Walkabout, including a reimagined hyena exhibit and enclosures for wolves and bears. The completion of this phase is slated for spring 2024.

As a thank you for supporting the park during its rebuilding, visitors who buy a ticket online and join the mailing list will get ticket to return any weekday from June 15 until the end of September.

WILD ANIMAL SAFARI

1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822

Phone: (706) 663-8744

Email: [email protected]

Tickets: $29 for adults 13-64, $26 for ages 3-12 and seniors 65 and older. Season passes available for $50.

Hours: Hours of operation change throughout the year, but you can see them on this handy calendar .

About the Author

Nancy Clanton is lead editor for revenue content, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. She also coordinates coverage of Pulse, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's digital magazine for nurses in the Southeast. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 23 years.

Credit: NYT

Credit: Fulton County Animal Services

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• Animal Encounters
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• Park Information
• Wild Animal Safari – Pine Mountain, Georgia
• Wild Animal Safari – Strafford/Springfield, Missouri
• Aggieland Safari, Bryan-College Station, Texas
• Investor Relations
• About Us & Employment

FAQs (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) Wild Animal Safari – Pine Mountain™

Are you ready to meet new animal friends? Our team of Zookeepers and Staff is happy to welcome you and your party to the park. Below is a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) that may be valuable to ensuring a great experience. Enjoy the Wild Animal Safari – Pine Mountain ™ !

Park Information Details

• 40 Minutes N of Columbus, GA • 65 Minutes SW of Atlanta Airport • 95 Minutes NE of Montgomery, AL • 2 ½ Hours SW of Athens, GA • 3 Hours S of Chattanooga, TN • 3 ½ Hours W of Agusta, GA • 3 ½ Hours N of Valdosta, GA • 4 ½ Hours NE of Savannah, GA

• Wild Animal Safari – Pine Mountain ™  is open daily 7 days a week at 10:00 AM. We have extended hours several weekends such as Spring Break, various holidays, and Summer months. Please check the park operating hours calendar when planning your visit. All Drive-Thru Safari guests must enter the park at least 1 hour prior to closing.  The park is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• See the park operating calendar for daily park hours.

Zero. Parking is FREE.

• The last car is admitted into the Drive-Thru Safari one hour prior to closing. It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the park earlier in the day, so you have enough time to see everything your party wants to see. All guests must leave the park at closing. We recommend 3-4 hours to enjoy the whole park. • Refunds will not be provided under any circumstance for failure to allow enough time to complete both sections of the park before closing time.

• You may bring your wheelchair. See the ADA Park Information .
• Some areas of the Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™  are represented by gravel and natural dirt pathways like you would experience in the wild.

Yes. Wild Animal Safari ™ – Pine Mountain has a full indoor airconditioned restaurant serving the highest quality foods including 100% Sirloin Hamburgers, Chicken Tenderloins, 100% Beef Hebrew National Hot Dogs, Nacho Platters, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, succulent Buffalo Wings, Fresh-made Pizza with par-baked crust, and Fresh made Salads. We serve Coca-Cola products, giant New York Style Pretzels, Churros, and hand-dipped ice cream.

Permitted Items

No. Only feed sold on-site may be used for feeding experiences. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in immediate eviction from the park with no refund. Please understand that we have a strict feeding policy to protect the health and safety of our animal residents. We thank you for following our feeding policy.

Smoking and vaping are NOT permitted on the park grounds or inside any building.  We do have designated smoking areas in and/or near the parking lot.

You may bring your own food and drinks to consume in the parking lot or designated picnic areas at the park outside the main building. Outside food cannot be brought into the Walkabout Adventure Zoo™ areas.  Private parties and groups may arrange to bring their own food on a situational basis.  If you, or a member of your group, have specific allergy concerns please call and speak to a customer service representative before your visit.

Yes. Wagons and/or strollers may also be available to rent at our ticket counter, subject to availability.

Yes, however, certain policies have been implemented to ensure the safety of our animals and your service animal. Please see the Service Animal policy .

Weather Protocols

The park will remain open, rain or shine, in most circumstances. In cases of severe weather, the park may elect to close all or portions of the park for the safety of our guests and animals. If the park closes early due to severe weather, snow, or ice, you will receive a raincheck to return another day.

Updates regarding a rare park closure are announced on our Facebook page and our website.

No, ticket sales are final. If the park closes early due to severe weather, snow or ice, you will receive a raincheck to return another day.

Tickets, Annual Passes, & Memberships

Tickets are valid for one year from the purchase date.  If you purchased your ticket(s) for a select day and are unable to attend, your ticket(s) will still be valid for use for one year.

Tickets may be presented at the gate either on printed paper or on a smartphone.

No. Our staff can look up your purchase on-site via the last name of the purchaser or by the confirmation number.

No, all ticket sales are final.

Annual Passes / Memberships are now sold both online and at the park.

• If you wish to purchase an Annual Pass on-site, you do not have to purchase a ticket in advance for entry. You will be immediately directed to our Ticket Counter to complete your purchase(s).
• If you already purchased a ticket for entry, you may apply the cost of that ticket toward the cost of an Annual Pass / Membership during your visit…we call this an upgrade. An upgrade must be completed on the same day as you used the original ticket.

Annual Passes / Memberships are for individual use only. Each member of the family who wishes to visit the park multiple times should purchase an Annual Pass / Membership.

No, each person must have their own Annual Pass / Membership.

Drive-Thru Safari

Our animals are free-range throughout the 250+ acres of pasture and woods. In most cases, animals will come near the cars for feed. However, these animals ARE NOT PETS, and their behavior is unpredictable.  In other words, they will follow their instincts. We cannot guarantee that all animals will come to the road during every visit. The joy of our Drive-Thru Wild Animal Safari ™  is that your experience will be different each time you visit the park.

• Yes, guests can enjoy the Drive-Thru Safari in their own vehicles.
• Tour Buses - Guests may opt to ride in one of the provided Tour Buses, which are operating at full capacity. Tour Buses are first come, first served, and depart once an hour, or once every 20- 30 minutes depending on the park attendance levels. There is no charge to ride the Tour Buses, however, they run seasonally, so please check our park operating calendar when planning your visit.
• Rental Vans – The park has rental vans for up to 6 and up to 12 passengers for rent. These are windowless vans you can drive versus using your own cars. Rental vans can frequently have a 30 min to 1 ½ hour waiting list. It is best to get to the park just prior to opening to put your name on the list. There is a small fee to rent the safari vans. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have personal auto insurance.
• Guests typically will put their name on the van rental waiting list then proceed to enjoy the Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™ , have some snacks or lunch, prior to having the rental Van reservation available. Rental Vans have a shorter wait time on weekdays.

Only fully enclosed vehicles are permitted. Large RVs and buses are not permitted without prior authorization by the management team. The following vehicles are not allowed under any circumstance:

• Motorcycles
• Convertibles
• Open Top Jeeps
• Vehicles without Doors
• Tow behind trailers

No, riding in the bed of a pick-up truck or in the trunk of a car is not permitted. Hanging out of windows or sunroofs is also not allowed.

• The last car is admitted into the Drive-Thru Safari is one hour prior to park closing. It is strongly recommended that all guests arrive earlier to allow enough time to complete the Drive-Thru and Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™ . All guests must leave the park at the posted closing times. We recommend 3-4 hours to enjoy the whole park.
• Refunds will not be provided under any circumstance for failure to allow enough time to complete both sections of the park before closing time.

It can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on the number of guests in the Drive-Thru, your speed and animal feeding preferences.

Yes. You may experience the Drive-Thru Safari as many times as you would like during your visit! Many guests enjoy the Drive-Thru first, then visit the Walkabout Adventure Zoo™, eat lunch while enjoying the nature and amenities of the park, and then return to the Drive-Thru Safari again before leaving for the day.

Animals are typically most active in the morning hours of 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, then again in the late afternoon from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Animals are typically less hungry in the afternoon.  Every visit is a different experience.

• Yes, the Drive-Thru Wild Animal Safari ™  feed is available for purchase at the Ticket Booth and Gift Shop upon arrival. ONLY THE PROVIDED FOOD MAY BE FED TO THE ANIMALS. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FEED.
• All animals in the pastures that the roads travel through can be fed. There are other pastures and paddocks visible from the roads that do not allow public access. Guests ARE NOT permitted to exit their vehicles to feed these animals.
• We recommend throwing the park-provided animal feed to the ground in front of the animal in the Drive-Thru Safari. This will entice the animals to come close to your vehicle.  DO NOT hand feed the zebras, EMUs, or the ostrich.  These species may accidentally bite thinking your fingers are food.
• Feeding animals is optional and at your own risk.

No, these animals are not pets. For the safety of our guests, direct contact is prohibited.

No. As stated above, we cannot guarantee that all the animals will be on the road at all times of the day.  You can return to the Drive-Thru Safari as many times as you would like (before one hour prior to park closing) to finish your feed!

Walkabout Adventure Zoo TM

Our park has a large and diverse variety of animals on exhibit for you to enjoy. We also have various off-exhibit animals that may make brief appearances when appropriate. To promote exceptional animal husbandry and welfare, there may be times when certain animals are not on display.

The Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™  takes a minimum of one hour to complete. However, it often takes longer depending on your interests, feeding experience participation, and time spent reading the provided information about the individual animals. It all depends on the preferences of your party and where they would like to go.

Guests may enter the Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™  any time from park opening to park closing. However, all guests must exit the park by park closing. Refunds will not be provided for failure to allocate enough time to complete both sections of the park.

• Participating in Animal Feeding Experiences is elective and at your own risk.
• You may feed park-provided lettuce to the giraffes and Sulcata tortoises. Lettuce fed to the tortoises should be placed on the ground in front of them in lieu of feeding them by hand.  Tortoises may accidentally snap little fingers if you get too close.  Lettuce is available for purchase in the Gift Shop or at the ticket counter.
• You may feed the barnyard/farmyard animals small feed pellets from your hand provided that your hand is flat. Feed is available for purchase in the Gift Shop, at the ticket counter, or at coin-operated feeders in the Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™ .
• Feeding animals is at your own risk.
• No other animals in the park may be fed under any circumstances. The Walkabout Adventure Zoo ™  animals are not to be fed any feed from the Drive-Thru Safari.

Groups, Company Outings, and Schools Field Trips

• Yes, Wild Animal Safari ™   accommodates all types of groups, family reunions, birthday parties, company outings, bus tours, and school field trips.
• Complete the Group Contact Form on our website and a park Group Coordinator will contact you.
• Call the park and request to speak to a Group Coordinator.

Drive-Through Safari Gallery

• Walkabout Gallery

We have more safari park information posted throughout the site. As always, if you have more questions we are here to help. Contact us to learn more about our animal park.

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Wild Animal Safari

Join the wild side at Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain Georgia where you can experience an interactive trip through the jungle! Wild Animal Safari is a drive-thru adventure where you can see more than 550 wild animals along the way. What makes this experience so special is the option to drive through the park in your personal vehicle, rent the famous zebra van for the ride, or ride on a tour bus where you can see, touch, and feed the animals from your window! Make sure to buy enough food because those animals are hungry!! 

TIPS FROM LOCALS:

If you're wary of taking your own vehicle, rent a Zebra Van for a true safari experience!

Harris County Chamber of Commerce 159 Old College St, Hamilton, GA 31811

(762) 245 – 3838

© 2023 Explore Harris County • All Rights Reserved • Brand & Website by: Atomic Brand Energy

Wild Georgia Safari Park

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Wild Georgia Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Georgia Safari Conservation Park

The Stay Of A Lifetime

Welcome to the ultimate overnight adventure at Georgia Safari Conservation Park, where the stay of a lifetime awaits. Nestled within the forest canopy overlooking a private savanna, our luxury safari accommodations offer an unparalleled experience that will immerse you in the wonders of nature. Imagine waking up to the gentle giants of the animal kingdom, as giraffes gracefully graze just a few steps away from your private deck or having 24-hour views of our giraffe from within your private luxury suite inside our state-of-the-art giraffe barn.

Safari Tents

Images are representative.

Escape to Africa in one of our luxurious safari lodging units nestled within the forest canopy with a view of a private savanna. These two-bedroom lodging units can comfortably accommodate up to 4 guests and offer a seamless blend of African charm, modern comforts, and exquisite views. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of nature and soak up the breathtaking views of our amazing animals roaming the savanna from your private deck.

The interior of your lodging unit is a haven of comfort, with luxurious furnishings, plush bedding, and modern amenities ensuring a truly indulgent stay. Each unit is climate-controlled and has wood floors, a spacious living and dining room, and a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee station. The primary bedroom offers a king-size canopy bed with a sitting area and floor-to-ceiling picture windows, while the secondary bedroom offers two twin canopy beds that can be combined into a king, a sitting area, and floor-to-ceiling picture windows. Both bedrooms offer direct views of our animals grazing in the open savanna. Each tent lodge has a full bathroom with both a soaker tub and tiled shower, and private outdoor spaces to relax and unwind. Experience the thrill of being immersed in the wilderness while still enjoying the luxuries of a refined retreat.

Reservations are a two-night minimum and include the following:

• Guided Safari drive-through tour with one of our expert guides
• Giraffe and rhino encounter 
• Keeper Chat and ambassador animal encounter with one of our amazing animal ambassadors

Please note: The above tours included in this reservation are not private to your party and may include other lodging guests.

Free on-site parking with late-night access for dining in Historic Madison, GA.

• 1 King Bed, 2 Twin Beds
• Sleeps 2-4 Guests
• Kitchenette
• Private Deck

Honeymoon Hideaway

Retreat to your private haven, where every detail of this lodging unit has been thoughtfully curated to create an ambiance of romance and indulgence. Our one-bedroom lodging unit is climate-controlled, featuring wood floors and a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee station. Spacious living and dining areas boast luxurious furnishings, plush bedding, a full bathroom, and enchanting touches that set the stage for an unforgettable stay.

For a truly extraordinary experience, step out onto one of your two private decks.  Adjacent to the bedroom, glass doors open onto a private deck with a secluded outdoor bathing area. Surrounded by the sounds of nature and embraced by the gentle breeze, you can relax in your private open-air bathtub.  Bask in the warmth of the sun or admire the starlit sky as you enjoy this intimate and sensory experience with your loved one. From your main living area, step outside onto an additional private deck and relax comfortably as you enjoy the breathtaking views of our amazing animals roaming the open savanna.

The Honeymoon Hideaway is a minimum two-night stay and includes the following:

• A guided safari drive-through tour with one of our expert guides
• Giraffe and rhino encounter

Please note that the opportunities included in this reservation are not private to your party and will include other lodging guests.

• 1 King Size-Canopy Bed
• Sleeps 2 Guests
• Two Private Decks

Giraffe Suite

Our private suite offers the awe-inspiring opportunity to peer into the park's 10,000 sq ft giraffe and rhino barn. This unique lodging option can comfortably accommodate up to four people. Inside you'll find a well-appointed living room with a full-size sleeper sofa, a dining room, and a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee station.

The master bedroom boasts a king-size canopy bed, luxurious linens, panoramic views of the giraffe inside the barn, and a full bathroom complete with a tiled shower. From the large picture windows throughout the spacious living areas, you can marvel at the giraffe’s graceful movements, observe their unique behaviors, and witness the intricate social dynamics within the herd. Relax in opulent surroundings, knowing that you have a privileged vantage point to connect with these magnificent animals.

The Giraffe Suite experience is a two-night minimum stay for up to four people, and includes all that the Georgia Safari Conservation Park offers. With your stay, you and your party will receive the following:

• A private, guided safari tour in one of our VIP safari vehicles
• A private, behind-the-scenes tour of our giraffe and rhino barn
• A private, extended animal encounter with our amazing animal ambassadors
• Free on-site parking with late-night access for dining in Historic Madison, GA
• 1 King Bed, 1 Sofa Bed

SAFARI PARK

Wild Georgia Safari Park

If you love spending time outdoors partaking in activities that can suit your entire family, you’ll simply love all that Wild Georgia Safari Park has to offer.

Wild Georgia Safari Park has become a favorite stop on I-16 for thousands of travelers. Stop by to visit our four-legged and feathered friends! 

Wild Georgia Safari Park is a year-round Petting Zoo and a Safari Adventure. At Wild Georgia Safari Park we feel incredibly lucky that we get to do what we love. We’d love for you to take part in the Wild Georgia Safari Park experience. For more information, get in touch!

Come Visit!

PETTING ZOO

7 Days a Week, Daylight til Dark

No Appointment Needed

SAFARI RIDES

Monday- Friday

By Appointment Only

Saturday-Sunday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Please contact Leigh Anna at [email protected] for all school and church groups, summer camps, and groups of 20 or more.

Tons of Family Fun

Feed $1.00 / Bag

Pay inside Chevron for everything first.

Petting Zoo $5.00 / Person

Our Petting Zoo features domesticated farm animals that are docile enough to touch and feed. Picnic tables are available.

Safari Ride (add-on oNLY) $10.00 / Person

A Truly Wild Adventure. Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide, who helps point out animals and shares fascinating facts during this extraordinary adventure that you and your family will remember for years to come.

We are proud to be members of Georgia Grown, and offer many products from other Georgia Grown members. We have a variety of jams and jellies, pecans, cheese straws, and more!

$19.99 or 2/$30

Toddler, Youth, and Adult Sizes Available

We offer several different varieties of fashionable hats. Come add one to your wardrobe today.

Metter Pecans

Toasted, Chocolate Covered, and Sandies: $5.99/bag

Raw Shelled: $10.99/lb

Altamaha River Trading Company Products

Pickled Quail Eggs, Pickled Veggies, Peaches, and Hats

wgsp Canned Produce

Pick up your favorite canned items from Wild Georgia Safari Park! We offer the BEST salsas, jams and jellies, pickled veggies, salad dressings, bar-b-que sauces, and more!

Seasonal Produce

Vidalia Onions

Boiled Peanuts

Fresh Green Boiled Peanuts

Everyone's favorite seasonal item! Available mid-March through September each year.

H & J BBQ Sauce

H&J's Original BBQ Sauce is a favorite of ours and many other visitors - there's a reason it has had a permanent space on our shelves for nearly 15 years!

Farmhouse Wines

Farmhouse Wines are made from muscadine grapes at Still Pond Vineyard located in Arlington, Georgia. The Cowart family has been producing wine for more than 45 years - they see the process through all themselves, from planting the seed to labeling the bottle!

Mama E's Cheese Straws

MaMa E's cheese straws are a staple around here, and if you've tried them, you understand!

3.5oz box: $6.99

7oz box: $11.99

Give Us A Call  & Order Now!

(912) 685-5577

Thin Crust or Original Crust

Toppings: Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Beef, Bacon, Mushrooms, Onions, Bell Peppers, Black Olives, Banana Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers

1 Pizza $11.99

Each Additional Pizza $10.99

Double Cheese $2.19

Hamburgers & Cheeseburgers

Toppings Include:

Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Onions, Jalapenos

Sausage Dogs

Toppings: Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Fresh Local Vidalia Onions, Jalapenos

Traditional:  Hot 'n Spicy or Southern Style 

Wing Bites:  Buffalo or Home Style

Testimonials

Wild Georgia Safari Park is proud to serve our local community and host visitors for fun family events year round. We have lots of regular customers who only buy the freshest products from us, as well as one-time visitors who come here in order to spend a day with family and friends. Check out what our past customers have had to say about our park, and start planning your visit!

Love love it the animals are so sweet and so cute and you cannot beat the price ❤️  Will definitely be back anytime we are through!!!

Eliza Richardson

Come on Down to

Wild georgia safari park.

26127 GA HWY 57 South, Metter, GA 30439 • I-16 Exit 98

[email protected]

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Your Safari Awaits

Plan your breathtaking visit to The Wilds, located in beautiful southeastern Ohio. Advance reservations required.

Plan Your Stay at the Wildest Place Around

Discover one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world! Grab your camera and board our open-air safari vehicles for an exhilarating adventure through open-range landscapes. Watch Video

Choose Adventure for 2024!

A membership to The Wilds affords you free Open-Air Safari Tours, free parking, and discounts on our beautiful overnight options!

become a member of The Wilds

African Painted Dog

Persian Onager

Bactrian Camel

Bactrian Deer

Pére David's Deer

Learn at The Wilds

Explore wild spaces, learn about the natural world, and make lifelong friends.

Discovery Field Stations

Our youngest guests can have an adventure all-their-own before their tour of The Wilds begins!

Overnight Programs

Night hikes, campfires, and 'smores. Come spend a night out in The Wilds!

Scout Day Program

The Wilds offers customized adventures for Scouts! 

get a closer look

If visiting the Columbus Zoo isn’t enough, find out how you can become an important part of our growing family.

Watch CBS News

What's open and closed for Easter? See which stores and restaurants are operating today.

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: March 31, 2024 / 12:49 PM EDT / CBS News

Millions of Americans celebrate Easter with family and friends this Sunday, which could require a last-minute run for treats before the egg hunt begins. Luckily, many retailers and restaurants will be open on March 31.

Here's a list of what is and isn't open on Easter . 

What places are open on Easter Sunday 2024?

• Barnes & Noble
• Bass Pro Shops
• Bath & Body Works
• Capital Grille
• Dollar General
• Dollar Tree
• Family Dollar
• Half Price Books
• Kirkland's Home
• Marshall Grain
• Rally House
• Tractor Supply Company
• Trader Joe's
• Whole Foods

Restaurants and fast-food chains open on Easter

• Boston Market
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Cheesecake Factory
• Cracker Barrel
• Golden Corral
• Longhorn Steakhouse
• McDonald's 
• Olive Garden
• Outback Steakhouse
• Red Lobster
• Ruth's Chris
• Texas Roadhouse
• Waffle House
• Whataburger
• White Castle

Places with special hours of operation on Easter Sunday 2024

Some stores or restaurants may special hours of operation, depending on their location — including Burger King, Domino's, Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mike's, Jack in the Box, Panda Express, Panera, Popeyes, Shake Shack and Subway. 

• Stop & Shop's grocery section will be open but the pharmacy will be closed.
• Staples will be open from noon to 5 p.m., local time.

What places are closed on Easter Sunday 2024?

• Bloomingdale's
• Brookshires
• Calloway's Nursery
• Container Store
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• H-E-B Grocery
• Hobby Lobby
• Hollywood Feed
• Honey Baked Ham Company
•  Macy's
• Market Basket
• Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack
• Office Depot

Restaurants and fast-food chains closed on Easter

• Raising Cane's

Correction: This story has been updated to note that Chik-fil-A is closed on Easter.

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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79-year-old American tourist killed in elephant attack during game drive in Zambia

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A bull elephant charged a truck that an 79-year-old American was riding in with other tourists on a game drive in a Zambian national park, flipping over the vehicle and killing her, a safari company said.

The attack injured five others on March 30 in the vast  Kafue National Park , which covers 22,400 square kilometers (8,600 square miles) and is one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

Family identified the victim as Gail Mattson, 79.

According to the safari company Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged at the truck, which was carrying six guests and a guide on a morning excursion through wild areas.

It wasn’t clear what upset the bull. But in a video widely circulated online, the pachyderm is seen menacingly charging through the bushy terrain toward the tourists’ vehicle. A man is heard shouting “hey hey hey,” in apparent but futile efforts to scare it away. It reaches the truck and flips it over using its trunk.

Another female tourist was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to South Africa for treatment while the rest were treated for minor injuries, the company said.

“This is a devastating incident for everyone involved and we are doing our best to support the family and all affected,” Tarryn Gibson, the safari company’s head of communications told The Associated Press on Thursday.

While many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with dangerous animals like elephants and lions, such incidents are rare, although they sometimes do occur with fatal consequences due to the unpredictability of wild animals.

Keith Vincent, chief executive officer of the safari company, said rough terrain minimized chances of an escape.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” he said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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