joseph s. j. tanner environmental education center and forest study area

We took our 2-year old one Saturday afternoon in the summer - she loved the many realistic wildlife displays, live snakes, and especially the interactive corner where she could create different animal footprints in a sandbox. Very friendly staff were on hand, and even gave her a few temporary water safety dog tattoos! The view of the dam is impressive from here (they told us it was the 4th largest in the U.S.), and there is a great little butterfly garden in the front, picnic tables, and a short interpretive walking trail that looks at different live stages of forest growth and management strategies. A definite stop-over if you're camping in the area. Accessible from Kerr/Buggs Lake. Oh, and it's free! (donation box is in the lobby).