Nashville Zoo at Grassmere sits at 3777 Nolensville Pike, about 10 miles south of downtown Nashville. It opened in 1997 and ranks among the top 10 percent of American zoos by accreditation standards. The zoo is the largest family attraction in middle Tennessee, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The Animals and Exhibits
The zoo houses more than 3,000 animals representing 325 species. The range is broad: tigers, giraffes, rhinos, clouded leopards, cougars, kangaroos, zebras, lemurs, meerkats, white-cheeked gibbons, giant anteaters, flamingos, cassowaries, and a substantial reptile collection including anaconda and python.
Nashville Zoo’s signature animal is the clouded leopard. More than 28 cubs have been born in 17 litters here since 2009, making the zoo a nationally recognized center for clouded leopard conservation.
The new Leopard Forest exhibit opened recently and expanded the big cat experience significantly.
Kangaroo Kickabout is a walk-through kangaroo exhibit where visitors move among free-roaming kangaroos. It’s the most popular hands-on element for families and typically has a line during peak hours.
Lorikeet Landing allows visitors to hand-feed lorikeets. The nectar feeding costs $2 per cup. The birds are aggressive about finding visitors who have nectar.
Critter Encounters provides close-up experiences with smaller animals.
Jungle Gym is a 66,000-square-foot playground with a 35-foot treehouse structure, super slides, swings, and a giant snake tunnel, one of the larger free-play areas at any American zoo.
The zoo also operates add-on experiences: a 4D Theater, a zip line, a carousel, and a train. These are available for an additional $11 Adventure Pass or individually.
Hours and Admission
Hours: October-March: 9am-4pm. March-October: 9am-6pm.
Admission: Prices vary by day of the week. Adults range $16-26 depending on the visit date. Youth (2-12) are $4 less. Children under 2 are free. Buying at least two weeks in advance gets the lowest price.
Advance timed-entry tickets are required for all guests. Walk-up ticket availability exists but is limited. Parking is $8 per vehicle (members park free).
Military personnel receive a $10 discount off regular admission.
Practical Notes
The zoo requires a full day, most visitors spend 3-5 hours. Weekday mornings are significantly less crowded than weekend afternoons. Animals are most active in the morning hours before midday heat slows them down, particularly relevant in summer.
The zoo is 10 miles from downtown. There’s no practical public transit connection; rideshare is the best option without a car (about 15 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic). The Uber/Lyft pickup and drop-off zone is well-organized.
The zoo also runs Zoolumination in November-December, a ticketed after-hours light festival with thousands of lanterns that’s become a popular Nashville winter tradition and sells out frequently.
The Grassmere Historic Home on the zoo grounds offers seasonal tours about the Croft sisters, who originally owned the property and whose legacy led to the creation of the zoo.
Sources:
- Nashville Zoo official site: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/
- Nashville Zoo visit page: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/visit
- U.S. News Travel, Nashville Zoo: https://travel.usnews.com/NashvilleTN/ThingsToDo/NashvilleZooatGrassmere_64459/
- GetYourGuide Nashville Zoo: https://www.getyourguide.com/nashville-l1279/nashville-zoo-any-day-admission-ticket-t404544/