How long should I plan for a visit to the Nashville Zoo?

While you can enjoy many highlights in 2-3 hours, it's recommended to set aside a full day to fully experience all the exhibits, attractions, and historical sites the Nashville Zoo offers. Many visitors find they can easily spend several hours exploring the 188-acre grounds and engaging with the diverse animal collection.

Can visitors bring their own food and drinks into the Nashville Zoo?

Yes, the Nashville Zoo welcomes guests to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages for picnics. However, for the safety of the animals, glass containers, disposable straws, lids, and other lightweight plastics are prohibited. Bringing your own food can be a great way to save money during your visit.

ZooTennessee, US

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

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About

Nestled southeast of bustling Downtown Nashville, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere offers an immersive experience where families and wildlife enthusiasts can explore diverse habitats and engage with a captivating array of animals. Spanning 188 acres, this accredited zoological garden is home to over 339 species, with some sources reporting as many as 6,230 individual animals, making it one of Middle Tennessee's top paid attractions. It's a place where conservation meets adventure, balancing entertainment with meaningful education about wildlife and environmental stewardship.

Visitors to the Nashville Zoo are treated to thoughtfully designed exhibits that often mimic the animals' natural environments, providing ample space for creatures to thrive and offering guests excellent viewing opportunities. Highlights include the innovative Kangaroo Kickabout, where guests can walk among red kangaroos, and the award-winning Tiger Crossroads, home to majestic Sumatran tigers. Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear allows you to journey through the Andes to see vulnerable Andean bears, and the zoo is renowned globally for its Clouded Leopard Conservation Program, playing a vital role in protecting this rare species.

Beyond the incredible animal encounters, the zoo also features the historic 1810 Grassmere Home, offering a glimpse into the property's past. For younger visitors, the enormous Jungle Gym playground provides a fantastic space to run and play. With its strong focus on conservation, education, and recreation, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere delivers a comprehensive and enriching full-day experience that appeals to all ages, making it a must-visit destination in Music City. Don't forget to bring the Snappit nature identification app along to scan local species.

The land that houses the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere boasts a rich and complex history, originally a 300-acre slave-holding farm owned by Michael and Elizabeth Dunn, with their 1810 home still standing on the property. The last family residents, Margaret and Elise Croft, great-great-granddaughters of Michael Dunn, bequeathed the land and home to the Children's Museum of Nashville in 1964, stipulating it be used as a "nature study center". Following Elise Croft's passing in 1985, the museum began developing the property, leading to the opening of Grassmere Wildlife Park in 1990. Meanwhile, a separate, privately owned Nashville Zoo opened in Joelton, Tennessee, in 1991. Grassmere Wildlife Park closed its doors in December 1994, with the city of Nashville taking ownership the following year and seeking an independent organization to manage the site. In 1996, then-Mayor Phil Bredesen proposed relocating the Nashville Zoo from Joelton to the Grassmere property, a plan approved by the Nashville City Council. The Nashville Wildlife Park at Grassmere officially opened in May 1997, and by October 1998, the Joelton location closed, consolidating efforts at the Grassmere site. The institution officially became the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in 2001. Notably, an unmarked cemetery on the property, discovered in 1989 and found to contain the remains of African-Americans who had lived and worked on the farm, was later carefully exhumed and moved closer to the historic Dunn house in 2013 during plans for a new entry plaza.

What to do here

Beyond the animal exhibits, catch animal encounters, feedings, and keeper talks (check the zoo's daily schedule). Enjoy a Wild Works animal show. For an additional fee, experience the thrill of the Soaring Eagle Zip Line, take a spin on the Wild Animal Carousel, or watch a show at the Adventure 4D Theater. The zoo also hosts popular seasonal events like Zoolumination, a spectacular lantern festival in winter, and Boo at the Zoo for Halloween.

Seasonal info

Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures ideal for walking the zoo's expansive grounds and enjoying the animal activity. Winter brings special events like Zoolumination, offering a unique nighttime experience. Summer can be hot, so plan visits for early morning or late afternoon, and take advantage of shaded pathways.

Accessibility

The Nashville Zoo is highly accessible, featuring paved, wide, and wheelchair-friendly pathways throughout its exhibits. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for rent at the front gate on a first-come, first-serve basis. The zoo also boasts an all-inclusive playground designed for children with and without disabilities. For visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities, resources such as visual schedules, sensory-friendly maps, fidget toys, earplugs, and ID bracelets are available. Family restrooms are equipped with an adult changing table, and a nursing station is available for breastfeeding. ASL interpreters and audio tours can be arranged with advance notice.

Don't miss

interactive Kangaroo Kickabout where you can walk amongst red kangaroos

impressive Tiger Crossroads with its Sumatran tigers

Expedition Peru

Trek of the Andean Bear to see Andean bears and unique Cotton-top Tamarins in the women's restroom exhibit

Clouded Leopard exhibit showcases the zoo's signature conservation species

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Giraffes

Ostrich

Axolotl

Barn Owl

Cougar

African Elephant

Red Panda

European Lynx

Guinea Pig

Huacaya Alpaca

Meerkat

Snowy Owl

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

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Good to know before you go

Arrive Early

To see animals at their most active and avoid peak crowds, especially on weekends and holidays, plan to arrive shortly after opening.

Purchase Tickets Online

Buying your tickets in advance online can save you time waiting in line at the entrance.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

The zoo is expansive, covering 188 acres with significant developed and accessible areas, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Pack a Picnic

Take advantage of the zoo's policy allowing outside food and drinks (excluding glass and disposable plastics) to enjoy a picnic lunch and save on concession costs.

Check the Daily Schedule

Consult the zoo's website or information boards upon arrival for timings of animal encounters, feedings, and keeper talks to maximize your experience.

Don't Overlook Grassmere Historic Farm

This peaceful area offers beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and a quiet escape, even on busy days.

Frequently asked questions

: While you can enjoy many highlights in 2-3 hours, it's recommended to set aside a full day to fully experience all the exhibits, attractions, and historical sites the Nashville Zoo offers. Many visitors find they can easily spend several hours exploring the 188-acre grounds and engaging with the diverse animal collection.
: Yes, the Nashville Zoo is designed with accessibility in mind. The pathways are wide, paved, and wheelchair-friendly, ensuring easy navigation throughout the park. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for rent, and the zoo also features an all-inclusive playground. Family restrooms, an adult changing table, and a nursing station further enhance convenience for all guests.
: Yes, the Nashville Zoo welcomes guests to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages for picnics. However, for the safety of the animals, glass containers, disposable straws, lids, and other lightweight plastics are prohibited. Bringing your own food can be a great way to save money during your visit.