Visit the home of Nashville’s wildest residents to hear their calls, cries and screeches – a musical experience all of its own!
Situated just 10 kilometres out of town, Nashville Zoo offers a fun-filled and educational experience for the whole family within an easy drive of the city. An impressive array of animals, both domestic and exotic, are housed among the zoo's three sections, each of which provides a unique experience for visitors of all ages.Opened in 1996, the zoo has quickly established itself as one of Nashville’s favourite attractions, with increasing numbers of both locals and tourists visiting the park each year. The ever-expanding zoo and wildlife park is set among 200 hectares to the south of Nashville city centre.In the middle of the park is the Grassmere Historic Farm and Home, where visitors can enjoy a brief historical detour to Croft House – built in 1810 – before diving into the flora and fauna of the park. Most visits to the zoo begin with a walk down the main path, past red-crowned cranes and the white-cheeked gibbons’ island. This leads to the Zoo Central area which contains cafés, a gift shop and a fantastic community-built adventure playground where the kids will be entertained for hours.The indoor Unseen New World exhibit is also in this area and is the place to come if you want to see reptilian and aquatic wonders including alligator snapping turtles, gila monsters and red-bellied piranhas. The Jungle Loop is another of the zoo’s sections and is where you’ll find some of the rarest animals in the world, such as red pandas and clouded leopards – both housed on the Bamboo trail.The expansive Savannah Loop is the largest area in the zoo and you’ll spot giraffes and elephants as you stretch your legs among the grasslands. If the kids get tired, they can always jump onto the jungle-themed carousel or explore hidden areas of the zoo on board the mini train.Nashville Zoo is open every day except for major public holidays and, if you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with one of the many seasonal activities such as the Halloween party or annual Brew at the Zoo beer festival. There is an MTA bus service from the centre of Nashville that’ll bring you right to the zoo and there’s a small fee for parking if you’re coming by car.
