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Save on Summer Fun

Discounts to the zoo, water parks and more with Duke employee discounts

Get 30 percent off admissions to Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe. Photo courtesy of Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe.
Get 30 percent off admissions to Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe. Photo courtesy of Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe.

Tatianna Batchelor’s son, Jaden, was one with the animals during their trip to the North Carolina Zoo a few summers ago. 

Jaden, 2, roared like a lion, hopped around like a monkey and waved his arm, mimicking an elephant trunk. 

“It was such a wonderful bonding experience for us,” said Batchelor, a registered medical assistant with Duke Orthopaedics. “He keeps asking me when we’re going to the zoo this summer.” 

Batchelor will save again on their return trip to the North Carolina Zoo using the Duke employee discount. Tickets, which generally cost $11 to $15, are $9 to $13 for staff and faculty. Tickets are valid for the entire day and can be used within 90 days of purchase. 

With the first official day of summer on June 21, check out other ways to save on fun this season. 

A splashing good time at Wet’n Wild 

Daredevil Drop is a 76-foot water slide at Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe. Photo courtesy of Emerald Pointe.
Megan Bell’s visit to Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe water park was a trip of two extremes. 

Bell spent most of her time soaking up the sun and floating in a tube along the park’s “Lazee River,” but her then 16-year-old son had other ideas. He convinced Bell to ride the 76-foot tall water slide, “Daredevil Drop.”

“You blinked and the ride was over,” said Bell, a financial services specialist with Duke Credit Union. “It was fun, but I think I’ll stick to the Lazee River.” 

Emerald Pointe in Greensboro has about 12 water slides, raft rides and wave pools. Duke employees save up to 30 percent on admission, which reduces ticket prices to $28.50 for adults and $23 for kids under 48 inches tall. 

Treat Yourself to a Sweet 

Durham's Local Yogurt has a rotating selection of flavors. Photo courtesy of Local Yogurt.
Cool down with frozen yogurt this summer. 

Duke employees get 15 percent off their purchase at Durham’s Local Yogurt on West Chapel Hill Street. The shop features a rotating selection of chocolate, coffee, red velvet cake, strawberry, pistachio and more flavors. 

Turn back time at Tweetsie Railroad 

Ride a coal-fired train at Tweetsie Railroad. Photo courtesy of Tweetsie Railroad.
Take your family to “Tweetsie Railroad” this summer in Blowing Rock. 

This Wild West attraction includes a coal-fired train, cowboys, stage shoes and Ferris wheel. 

Duke employees receive a $6 discount on general admission, bringing the price to $44. Staff and faculty pay $25 for children ages 3 to 12, a $7 discount. 

Save on SummerFest

Summerfest is held at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Symphony.
North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest Series is underway, but there’s still plenty of concerts left to enjoy with a discount. 

Individual tickets to Summerfest are still available for the symphony’s performances with singer-songwriter Ben Folds on June 22, “Broadway’s Greatest Hits” on June 29,  “Russian Nights” on July 6, “The Music of Chicago with Brass Transit” on July 12 and “Beach Party with the Embers” on July 20. 

Ticket prices range from $21 to $38, which is about a $10 discount. 

Each concert is at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. 

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