Troubadourable folk buddies Simon and Garfunkel once sang that "it's all happening at the zoo," before retiring from music to live out their days serenely basking in the reptile habitat. Get happening with today's Groupon: for $7, you get two single-day admission tickets to Zootastic Park (up to a $14 value) in Troutman.

At Zootastic Park, owner Scottie Brown employs more than 30 years of exotic-animal caretaking to create an educational and interactive wildlife experience. Mosey through Western Town to travel back to frontier times, connecting with creatures such as reptiles, tortoises, and coatimundi as they eat, drink, and face off under the noon sun at 20 paces. The Safari Trail teems with imported fauna such as red kangaroos, camels, antelope, and zebras, and goats and horses step back from their chess games to simulate farm life and "act naturally" in the Barnyard Petting Zoo. Finish a tour by peeking in on the resident white tigers and their newborn cub, Raja, as they growl about in their 4,000-square-foot enclosure. While touring the attractions, visiting primates can rest their haunches in the picnic area or imitate their favorite critter on the playground.