Since its opening in 1991, Nashville Zoo has remained one of Tennessee’s top attractions, attracting over a million visitors yearly.
The zoo, which is home to more than 6,300 animals, is spread over approximately 188 acres (76 hectares) of land.
The zoo offers an opportunity to understand animal lives, behavior, and lifestyle, and the zookeepers tell you interesting facts and stories about these creatures.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Nashville Zoo tickets.
Top Nashville Zoo Tickets
Table of contents
What to expect
Tighten up your shoelaces, keep your camera ready, pack your snacks, and prepare for a trip to Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.
Step into the animal world and discover endangered and exotic species.
See amphibians like African Clawed Frogs, Eastern Hellbenders, Poison Dart Frogs, and arthropods like the Goliath Bird-eating Tarantula.
You’ll be amused to watch the zoo’s swimmers, which include fish like Blue Discus, Lionfish, Piranha, Redhead Cichlid, and Red-Tail Triggerfish.
Kids and adults love to observe giant animals such as Andean Bears, Clouded Leopards, Cotton-top Tamarins, Goats, Miniature Donkeys, Meerkats, Horses, and Sumatran Tigers.
There is also a wide range of birds, including Flamingos, Hornbills, and reptiles like Rhinoceros Iguana and South American Bushmasters.
Buy This TicketWhere to book tickets
Tickets for Nashville Zoo are available online and at the ticket booth at the main gate.
We strongly suggest you purchase online tickets to get assured admission to the zoo.
During peak seasons and special events, ticket demand is very high, and you may not get tickets if you plan to buy them offline.
However, you can keep such disappointments away by purchasing tickets in advance.
Also, why stand in long queues and wait for your turn when you can book tickets anytime and anywhere on your phone?
Moreover, online tickets come at great discounts and deals, making them worth every penny!
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
How do online tickets work
Go to the Nashville Zoo ticket booking page, select the number of tickets, time slot, and date you wish to visit and book your tickets right away!
Upon completing the payment, you will receive a confirmation email.
On the day of your visit, show your ticket at the zoo entrance gate and walk in!
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Nashville Zoo ticket prices
All visitors 13 years of age and older must pay US$23 for a ticket to the Nashville Zoo.
Children aged two to 12 pay only US$19 for entry.
Infants under two years old are admitted free of charge and without a ticket.
Discount tickets
Children, infants, and military personnel are eligible for special discounts when purchasing tickets at the zoo ticket counter (remember to carry identification).
Nashville Zoo tickets
Book Nashville Zoo tickets and get admission to the zoo, including access to animal experiences and a playground.
With your general admission ticket, you can see thousands of animals, such as clouded leopards, bears, plains zebras, red pandas, tigers, and two-toed sloths.
Not just this, you get a chance to get nose-to-nose with exotic creatures through Animal Experiences at Kangaroo Kickabout, Lorikeet Landing, and Critter Encounters supervised by zoo guides.
Remember, at Lorikeet Landing, you can only see the birds. The feeding activity comes at an additional cost.
Drop your kids at Jungle Gym and let them swing, fly, and run at this 6,600-square-foot (613-m) playground.
This Nashville Zoo admission ticket does not include the Wilderness Express, Wild Animal Carousel, or Soaring Eagle Zip Line.
If you want to experience them, you can buy separate tickets at the zoo.
Ticket Prices
Adult (13+ years): US$19
Child (2 to 12 years): US$15
Infant (up to 1 year): Free
Save time and money! At just US$81, you can buy a Nashville sightseeing Day Pass, valid for 4 consecutive days, that allows you access to a customized itinerary of attractions in Nashville. Enjoy up to 58% off admission at numerous exciting attractions, including the Johnny Cash Museum and the renowned Country Music Hall of Fame.
How to reach Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a few miles from Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
Address: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN 37211, United States. Get Directions
You can reach the zoo by bus or car.
By Bus
Nashville Zoo Station Inbound is within 0.5 miles (0.8 km) and can be reached by walking in 10 minutes.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
There are parking lots near the attraction.
Opening hours
Nashville Zoo opens at 9 am daily all year round, but its closing time can vary.
The zoo welcomes guests from 9 am to 4 pm from October to March. However, the zoo is open from 9 am to 6 pm from March to October.
As the closing times vary, we recommend you check the ticket booking page before starting the tour.
The last entry to the zoo is one hour before closing time.
The Zoo Nashville remains closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
How long does the tour take
It would take 5 hours to explore Nashville Zoo, including strolling through different exhibits and animal experiences at Lorikeet Landing, Critters Encounters, and Kangaroo Kickabout.
When you take your kids to the playground, don’t expect them to be out within an hour.
If you plan to ride on Wilderness Express and Wild Animal Carousel and experience Soaring Eagle Zip Line, reserve at least 2 to 3 hours for this.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Nashville Zoo is when it opens at 9 am.
There are four benefits to starting early: the animals are most active early in the morning, the temperatures are still moderate, the crowd has yet to get in, and you have the whole day to spend at the attraction.
As the day gets hotter, animals prefer staying inside their shelters. As a result, you may get disappointed when you don’t see them in the exhibit.
Weekdays are better for a peaceful visit because the zoo gets crowded on weekends and school holidays.
The zoo is most crowded on weekends between 10 am and 2 pm.
If you are on a short holiday in Nashville, starting early also allows you to add another attraction to the day’s itinerary.
What to see at Nashville Zoo
Here is a list of wildlife species visitors can see at the zoo:
Amphibians: African clawed frog, eastern hellbender, poison dart frog, Panamanian golden frog, Surinam toad, axolotl, etc.
Arthropods: Goliath bird-eating tarantula
Birds: Toco toucan, tawny frogmouth, rhinoceros hornbill, lorikeet, Chilean flamingo, Caribbean flamingo, American comb duck, greater flamingo, etc.
Fishes: Blue discus, lionfish, piranha, redhead cichlid, red-tail triggerfish, ocellate river stingray, jaguar cichlid, black Arowana, etc.
Mammals: Alpaca, Andean bear, clouded leopard, cotton-top tamarin, goats, miniature donkey, meerkat, horse, Sumatran tiger, southern white rhinoceros, etc.
Reptiles: Alligator snapping turtle, eyelash palm pit viper, green anaconda, komodo dragon, rhinoceros iguana, South American bushmaster, etc.
Animal experiences
Animal experiences with kangaroos, lorikeets, and critters are as enchanting as it sounds.
Here are some animal experiences offered at the Nashville Zoo.
Lorikeet Landing
Step into Lorikeet Landing and get welcomed by these bright, colorful birds who will come flying towards you with wide open wings as if they want to hug you.
Lorikeets are extremely playful and friendly, so don’t mind if they sit on your shoulder or start running their beaks through your hair.
Kangaroo Kickabout
Time to hop along with red kangaroos, who will take you through their Australian habitat.
While they can wander anywhere they want, visitors must stay on designated pathways.
Critter Encounters
At this exhibit, which is located between Unseen New World and Flamingo Lagoon, you can meet and interact with Galapagos tortoises, camels, goats, alpacas, and various birds.
You are free to pet and brush the goats and even take selfies.
Jungle Gym
Let your little ones go wild at Jungle Gym playground in Nashville Zoo.
The swings and rides will make them jump like kangaroos, run like leopards, swing like monkeys, and fly like lorikeets.
The playground has a 35-foot tall house structure with a slide, a giant snake tunnel, a multi-level net area, climbing structures, slides, ZipKrooz, a we-go-round, and a two-level spinning globe.
Map of Nashville Zoo
Considering the size and number of animals sheltered inside this zoo, it is quite big to explore.
When different animals are housed, it becomes challenging to locate the animal enclosures, activity areas, picnic spots, restaurants, washrooms, and many other facilities at the zoo.
Of course, zookeepers and signboards will guide you throughout your journey, but it is always good to set the rhythm of the tour yourself.
This is why a zoo map is so important when you’re out on an adventure with your family and friends.
With the Nashville Zoo map, you can navigate everything and anything on your mobile phone.
Where to eat at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Nashville Zoo has various food kiosks, so you can stop at any food outlet and relax while enjoying food.
| Cafe/Restaurant | Food | Location |
| Quills Cafe & Grill | Hot dogs, burgers, salad, fries, rolls, sandwiches etc | Near Gibbon Islands |
| Screaming Gibbon Pizza Kitchen | Pizzas, cheesecakes, sodas, beers, etc | Near Gibbon Islands |
| Fat Cow Creamery: Coffee and Cones | Coffee, ice creams, hot chocolate, desserts | Near Gibbon Islands |
| Snake Bites | Chips, nachos, popcorn, cotton candy, beverages, etc | Jungle Loop |
| TN BBQ Depot | BBQ sandwiches, mac and cheese, hot dogs, etc | Adjacent to Snake Bites |
| Carts, Kiosks, and Outposts | Frozen lemonade, popcorn, popsicles, etc | Throughout the zoo |
FAQs about Nashville Zoo
Here are a few questions guests usually ask about Nashville Zoo.
Where can I buy Nashville Zoo tickets?
You can buy Nashville Zoo tickets online. We recommend booking tickets online to avoid last-minute disappointments.
Can I leave the Nashville Zoo and come back on the same day?
You can indeed leave the zoo and return, but you must let the keepers know in the Information Hut.
Can I bring outside food to Nashville Zoo?
Yes! You are welcome to bring prepared meals. If you wish to eat lunch later, leave the food in your car and take it after your visit.
Avoid carrying glasses, straws, or lids with you inside the zoo.
Are there wheelchairs available at the Nashville Zoo?
The zoo offers wheelchair rentals for the tour and is accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Does Nashville Zoo offer a membership pass?
Yes! You can enjoy five categories of membership passes: Single, Dual, Household, Household Plus, and Safari Set.
Will I be allowed to enter the Nashville Zoo if I come early or late for my reserved time slot?
Visitors who arrive between 15 minutes before and up to an hour after the time of their reservation can get admission.
Is the Nashville Zoo open when it rains?
Yes, the zoo is open even when it rains. However, depending on the severity of the weather, some rides, activities, and exhibits may be closed.
Can I change the reservation date of my Nashville Zoo ticket?
No! The prices of Nashville Zoo tickets keep changing depending on peak and non-peak days/seasons, and you are encouraged to buy new tickets for a different date.
