Your North Carolina Benefit Security Card opens doors far beyond the grocery store. In 2026, North Carolina SNAP recipients can access discounted admission at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro — the largest natural habitat zoo in the United States — for just $5 per person for up to six people.
Your card also unlocks $3 admission at Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Kids in Charlotte, free admission at the Charlotte Museum of History and Wing Haven botanical garden, $1 admission plus a full planetarium show at Kidzu Children’s Museum in Chapel Hill, $2 admission at the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, and EBT discounts at museums and gardens from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks.
Beyond cultural attractions, your card qualifies you for half-price Amazon Prime at $6.99/month, free or low-cost phone and internet service through Lifeline, produce-matching at farmers markets through Double Up Food Bucks, Summer EBT for children, and energy assistance through LIHEAP.
This is the complete guide to every EBT discount available to North Carolina SNAP recipients in 2026, organized by region.
A Note on North Carolina’s SNAP Program
North Carolina’s SNAP program is called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and is administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Benefits are loaded monthly onto the North Carolina Benefit Security Card. When venues ask to see a “SNAP card” or “EBT card,” your Benefit Security Card is what you present.
At all participating venues in North Carolina, you show your Benefit Security Card and a valid photo ID at the ticket window. The card is used only to verify SNAP enrollment — you pay any admission cost with cash, credit, or debit. Your EBT benefit balance cannot be used to pay for admission.
North Carolina also has a state-level initiative called the Welcome Program, used by Discovery Place and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. This program accepts EBT and WIC cards from both North Carolina and South Carolina — one of the few cross-state programs in the country. Some venues restrict their EBT discount to NC residents; these are noted clearly below.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for SNAP in North Carolina, use the North Carolina SNAP eligibility calculator for an instant estimate.
Amazon Prime — Half Price for North Carolina SNAP Recipients
North Carolina Benefit Security cardholders qualify for Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month — less than half the standard $14.99 monthly rate. The membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and access to Amazon Fresh for online grocery ordering.
Sign up through Amazon’s Prime for EBT page and verify your enrollment by uploading a photo of your Benefit Security Card or a recent benefit letter. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method; the $6.99 fee cannot be charged to your EBT balance. A free 30-day trial is available for first-time Prime members.
Asheboro — North Carolina Zoo
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro) — $5 per person, up to six people
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is the centerpiece of North Carolina’s EBT discount landscape — and it is extraordinary. Spread across 2,600 acres of natural Piedmont forest, the NC Zoo is the largest natural habitat zoo in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Its sheer size sets it apart from virtually every other zoo in the country — animals roam in habitats measured in acres, not enclosures measured in feet.
North Carolina Benefit Security cardholders receive $5 per person for up to six people — one of the most generous group limits of any EBT museum or zoo discount in this article series. Standard adult admission is $20, making this a savings of $15 per person for a family of six. P-EBT and SUN Bucks cards are not accepted — only your standard monthly Benefit Security Card qualifies. The discount is available for in-person, same-day ticket purchases only and does not apply to special events or attractions within the Zoo.
The North American section covers 300 acres and includes grizzly bears, bison, elk, alligators, sea lions, prairie dogs, and North American river otters. The Africa section spans 300 additional acres with African elephants, lions, cheetahs, gorillas, rhinos, giraffes, and meerkats. The R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary — one of the largest walk-through aviaries in the United States — immerses visitors in a forested environment with free-flying birds. The Kidzone, Streamside, and Sonora Desert exhibits round out a zoo that genuinely takes the better part of a full day to explore.
Children 2 and under are always free.
Address: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205. Phone: (800) 488-0444. Open daily 9 AM–5 PM (last admission 4 PM), weather permitting.
Charlotte — Discovery Place, Sullenberger Aviation Museum & More
Charlotte has North Carolina’s deepest concentration of EBT-accessible cultural venues, anchored by Discovery Place’s two locations and the Welcome Program.
Discovery Place Science (Charlotte) — $3 per person, up to six people
Discovery Place Science is Charlotte’s flagship science museum — a multi-sensory, educational wonderland in uptown Charlotte that explores science, technology, and nature through interactive exhibits, a living rainforest, an aquarium, and live science demonstrations. The museum participates in the Welcome Program, offering $3 per person for up to six people to North Carolina and South Carolina EBT or WIC cardholders. Discounted parking is also available at $8.
In addition to the per-visit discount, Discovery Place offers a reduced-price Welcome Membership at $75 per family per year for EBT/WIC cardholders — providing unlimited annual visits to Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Kids for significantly less than the standard family membership price.
Present your EBT or WIC card and a valid photo ID at the Welcome Desk. Tickets can be purchased online or at the admissions desk.
Address: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Phone: (704) 372-6261. EBT cards from NC and SC are accepted.
Discovery Place Kids — Huntersville (Charlotte area) — $3 per person, up to six people
Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville is a hands-on children’s museum designed for young learners, offering imaginative play spaces, interactive exhibits, and STEM-centered programming. Like its downtown sibling, it participates in the Welcome Program and offers $3 per person for up to six people to NC and SC EBT or WIC cardholders. Tickets can be purchased online or at the admissions desk.
Address: 105 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. EBT cards from NC and SC are accepted.
Sullenberger Aviation Museum (Charlotte) — $3 per person, up to six people; $30 annual membership
The Sullenberger Aviation Museum — named for Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who made the famous Miracle on the Hudson emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009 — celebrates the history and science of aviation through hands-on exhibits, flight simulators, and a collection of real aircraft.
Through the Welcome Program, EBT and WIC cardholders receive $3 per person for up to six people. The museum also offers a reduced-price Welcome Membership at $30 for EBT/WIC participants, providing unlimited visits for a year at a fraction of the standard membership cost.
Present your valid photo ID and proof of EBT or WIC enrollment at the Welcome Desk.
Address: 4108 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, NC 28208. EBT cards from NC and SC are accepted.
Charlotte Museum of History (Charlotte) — FREE for up to four people
The Charlotte Museum of History offers free admission for up to four people to SNAP/EBT cardholders. The museum preserves the history of the Charlotte region through exhibits, educational programs, and the care of historic buildings — including the Hezekiah Alexander House, Charlotte’s oldest surviving structure, built in 1774. Visitors can tour the stone house, springhouse, and barn with costumed interpreters.
Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215. Phone: (704) 568-1774.
Wing Haven (Charlotte) — FREE for up to four people (children 10 and under always free)
Wing Haven is a three-acre bird sanctuary and garden in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte — a tranquil, beautifully maintained urban retreat featuring formal gardens, a children’s garden, a bird sanctuary, the historic Elizabeth Lawrence House and Garden, and walking trails through native plantings that attract dozens of bird species throughout the year.
SNAP EBT cardholders receive free general admission for a party of up to four people, with children 10 and under always free. Present your EBT or WIC card/voucher to the admissions team upon check-in. Note: this discount applies to general admission only and is not valid for special events.
Address: 260 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209. Phone: (704) 331-0664.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Belmont, near Charlotte) — $1 per person
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont — a 380-acre garden along the banks of Lake Wylie featuring spectacular formal gardens, a conservatory, fountains, nature trails, and one of the Southeast’s finest orchid collections — offers EBT cardholders $1 per person admission. This is one of the lowest EBT admission rates in North Carolina and one of the best-value garden experiences in the state.
Address: 6500 South New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012. Phone: (704) 825-4490.
Carolina Raptor Center (Huntersville, near Charlotte) — FREE for a family of four
The Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville is one of the most meaningful wildlife rehabilitation and education organizations in North Carolina — caring for more than 700 raptors annually, including bald eagles, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, osprey, and peregrine falcons. Many of the raptors on the grounds are permanent residents unable to survive in the wild due to injury, serving as education ambassadors.
SNAP/EBT and WIC cardholders receive free admission for a family of four. The raptor trail winds through natural forest habitat, with birds visible in naturalistic enclosures along the path.
Address: 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. Phone: (704) 875-6521.
Triangle Region — Chapel Hill, Raleigh & Durham
Kidzu Children’s Museum (Chapel Hill) — $1 per person, up to seven people (admission + planetarium show)
Kidzu Children’s Museum in Chapel Hill participates in Museums for All and offers one of the most generous EBT discounts in North Carolina: $1 admission plus a planetarium show combo for the cardholder and up to seven additional guests at the same $1-per-ticket rate. This is an extraordinarily generous seven-person limit — the highest of any venue in this guide.
The $1 admission ticket is a combination ticket that includes both museum admission and a full planetarium show. Show your EBT card and photo ID at the admissions desk to receive the discount.
Address: 201 S Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Phone: (919) 933-1455.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (UNC Chapel Hill) — $1 per person, up to seven people
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC Chapel Hill is one of the oldest and most historic planetariums in the United States — originally used by NASA to train astronauts in celestial navigation during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. SNAP/EBT cardholders receive $1 admission plus a full planetarium dome show for the cardholder and up to seven guests at the same per-ticket rate.
Show your EBT card and photo ID at the admissions desk.
Address: 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Phone: (919) 962-1236.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh) — Always FREE
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh — the largest natural history museum in the Southeast — is always free for all visitors with no EBT card required. The museum’s four connected buildings cover 200,000 square feet and include a living butterfly garden, a paleontology hall with a spectacular collection of dinosaur skeletons, a live animal collection, a rooftop Nature Research Center, and exhibits covering the ecological diversity of North Carolina from the mountains to the coast.
If you’re visiting Raleigh, this is a full-day free destination for any family.
Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601. Phone: (919) 707-9800.
Catawba Science Center (Hickory) — EBT/SNAP/Medicaid discount
The Catawba Science Center in Hickory offers a discount for EBT, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid cardholders — show a valid photo ID and documentation of benefits at the admissions desk. The center features interactive science exhibits, an aquarium, and rotating educational programming. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting at catawbascience.org.
Address: 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601. Phone: (828) 322-8169.
Western NC — Hendersonville & Blowing Rock
Hands On! Children’s Museum (Hendersonville) — $3 per person, up to four people
Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville is a beloved children’s museum in the western North Carolina mountains. Through the Museums for All program, EBT cardholders receive $3 per person for up to four people. The museum features hands-on exhibits designed for children with themes of creativity, science, and community life in the mountain region.
Address: 318 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: (828) 697-8333. EBT cards from all states are accepted.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers (Western NC) — Always free
All National Park Service facilities along the Blue Ridge Parkway — including visitor centers at Milepost 294 near Asheville and throughout western North Carolina — are free to visit with no admission fee. The parkway itself is always free to drive. For any national park that charges entrance fees, America’s fourth-largest EBT discount is the America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which can be obtained for $20 (versus the standard $80) for SNAP recipients. Ask at any fee-collecting park entrance or visitor center.
Coast — Museum of Coastal Carolina & Ingram Planetarium
Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium (Ocean Isle Beach) — $2 per person, up to six people
The Museum of Coastal Carolina and adjacent Ingram Planetarium in Ocean Isle Beach participate in the Museums for All program and offer $2 per person for up to six people — covering both the museum and all regular planetarium dome shows. This is available for general admission during regular operating hours. Special events such as laser shows are not included. P-EBT and pandemic-era EBT cards are not accepted for this discount.
The Museum of Coastal Carolina features exhibits on the marine life, ecology, and human history of the North Carolina coast, including a large shark jaw collection, coastal fossils, Native American artifacts, and rotating exhibits on the Outer Banks and barrier island ecosystems. The Ingram Planetarium shows cover astronomy, space exploration, and Earth science.
Address: 21 E 2nd St, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469. Phone: (910) 579-1016.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden (Fayetteville) — $5 per person, up to four people
Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville participates in the Museums for All program through a local initiative called “A Garden for All,” funded by the Cornelia “Neill” Bullock Wilkins Charitable Endowment Fund through the Cumberland Community Foundation. EBT cardholders receive $5 per person (plus tax) for up to four people. Children under 5 are always free.
The EBT cardholder must be present, and P-EBT or pandemic EBT cards are not accepted. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Address: 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301. Phone: (910) 486-0221.
Winston-Salem — Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Reynolda House Museum of American Art (Winston-Salem) — FREE with SNAP EBT card
Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem — set within the 170-acre historic estate of R.J. Reynolds, founder of the Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his wife Katharine — offers free admission to SNAP EBT cardholders. The museum holds an outstanding collection of American art from the colonial period through the 20th century, spanning paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. The adjacent Reynolda Gardens and village shops are open to the public.
Address: 2250 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Phone: (336) 758-5150.
Statewide — Double Up Food Bucks at Farmers Markets
North Carolina SNAP recipients can access Double Up Food Bucks at participating farmers markets statewide — a dollar-for-dollar match on fresh locally grown North Carolina fruits and vegetables. The program is administered through the NC 10% Campaign and extends SNAP purchasing power specifically for fresh produce. Markets throughout the state participate, including markets in Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, Durham, and many rural communities.
Ask at the market information booth for the Double Up Food Bucks station when you arrive. Matching tokens or credits can only be spent on fresh produce — not other groceries.
Phone & Internet — Lifeline
North Carolina Benefit Security cardholders automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25 per month off a monthly phone or internet bill. Participating providers serving North Carolina include major national and regional carriers. See the full Lifeline application guide for step-by-step instructions.
Energy Assistance — LIHEAP
North Carolina SNAP households automatically meet the income threshold to apply for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), which helps pay heating and cooling costs. North Carolina’s climate spans from hot, humid summers across the Piedmont and coastal plain to cold winters in the western mountains — both heating and cooling costs can be significant. Receiving even a small LIHEAP payment can also qualify your household for the highest SUA tier in your SNAP benefit calculation, potentially increasing your monthly benefit. See the LIHEAP application guide for details and contact 211 North Carolina (dial 2-1-1) to find your nearest program.
Summer EBT for Children — North Carolina SUN Bucks
North Carolina families with school-age children who receive SNAP automatically qualify for SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which provides $120 per eligible child each summer to replace free school meals when school is not in session. Funds load directly to your Benefit Security Card in June–August with no separate application needed for current SNAP households.
YMCA — Reduced Membership Rates
Many YMCA locations in North Carolina offer reduced or sliding-scale membership rates for SNAP/EBT cardholders. Contact your local North Carolina YMCA — locations in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, and Wilmington — to ask about current income-based pricing.
Walmart+ and Instacart+ — Discounted Delivery
Walmart+ is available to SNAP recipients for approximately 50% off the standard $12.95 monthly price — around $6.47 per month. Includes free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more and free shipping on Walmart.com.
Instacart+ is available to EBT cardholders who have placed at least one SNAP order on Instacart within the last six months, at $4.99 per month for the first year. Your Benefit Security Card is accepted for grocery orders at participating North Carolina retailers.
What You Can Buy With Your North Carolina Benefit Security Card
North Carolina has not implemented any state-specific SNAP food purchase restrictions. All federally approved SNAP items remain purchasable with your Benefit Security Card in 2026. For the full list of what SNAP covers and does not cover, see the SNAP-eligible foods guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts do North Carolina EBT cardholders get in 2026?
North Carolina Benefit Security cardholders receive $5/person (up to 6) at the NC Zoo in Asheboro, $3/person (up to 6) at Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Kids and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte, free admission at the Charlotte Museum of History and Wing Haven garden, $1/person at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, free admission for four at the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, $1/person plus planetarium show (up to 7) at Kidzu Children’s Museum and Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, $2/person (up to 6) at the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, free admission at Reynolda House in Winston-Salem, half-price Amazon Prime ($6.99/month), Double Up Food Bucks at farmers markets, Lifeline phone/internet discounts, and SUN Bucks summer food benefits for school-age children.
What is the NC Zoo EBT discount?
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro offers $5 per person for up to six people to Benefit Security cardholders. The discount is available for in-person, same-day ticket purchases at the zoo gate. Standard adult admission is $20 — saving a family of six $90. P-EBT and SUN Bucks cards are not accepted; only your regular monthly Benefit Security Card qualifies.
What is the Welcome Program and which North Carolina museums participate?
The Welcome Program is North Carolina’s EBT/WIC cultural access initiative, separate from the national Museums for All program. It accepts EBT and WIC cards from both North Carolina and South Carolina. Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Kids, and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte all participate. The Welcome Program also offers reduced-price annual memberships — $75/year at Discovery Place and $30/year at Sullenberger Aviation — for EBT cardholders.
Can I get a discounted museum membership with my North Carolina EBT card?
Yes — Discovery Place offers a Welcome Membership for $75/year for EBT/WIC cardholders, covering unlimited visits to both Discovery Place Science in Charlotte and Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville. The Sullenberger Aviation Museum offers a Welcome Membership for $30/year. Both are purchased at the Welcome Desk with EBT card and photo ID.
Does the NC Zoo accept P-EBT or SUN Bucks cards?
No. The NC Zoo’s EBT discount requires your standard monthly Benefit Security Card. P-EBT and SUN Bucks cards are specifically excluded. Similarly, Cape Fear Botanical Garden and the Museum of Coastal Carolina/Ingram Planetarium do not accept P-EBT cards.
Can I get free internet in North Carolina with my EBT card?
Yes — through the federal Lifeline program, North Carolina Benefit Security cardholders qualify for up to $9.25/month off their phone or internet bill. With some providers this covers the full cost of basic service. See the Lifeline application to apply.
Check Your North Carolina Benefit Security Card Benefits
Your Benefit Security Card balance can be checked by calling 1-888-622-7328, through the ebtEDGE app, or at the point of sale at any authorized retailer. For a full guide, see how to check your SNAP balance in North Carolina.
Additional resources: North Carolina SNAP benefits by household size — how to apply for SNAP in North Carolina — North Carolina WIC income guidelines — North Carolina Medicaid eligibility.
Last updated: 2026 | Discount programs, admission rates, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Verify current details with each venue before visiting. North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Benefit Security Card support: 1-888-622-7328 (24/7).