July 1, 2024
Which top Middle Tennessee attraction has stripes, spots and scales all over? The world-class Nashville Zoo at Grassmere!
This fast-growing, family-friendly destination is earning the same accolades as U.S. zoos quadruple its age – all from its perch on the south side of Nashville.
About the Nashville Zoo
After debuting in neighboring Cheatham County in 1991, Nashville Zoo took over the 188-acre Grassmere property – located just 6 miles south of downtown Music City – and reopened in 1997.
Over the next 26 years, it has introduced animals as varied as Andean bears, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, red pandas, kangaroos, clouded leopards and flamingos, as well as rideable features like the Soaring Eagle Zip Line and Wild Animal Carousel. There is even a 4D theater!
Nashville Zoo annually welcomes more than 1 million visitors. Strollers, manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are available to rent, and the zoo offers accessibility features in its inclusive design for those with autism spectrum disorders and other sensory sensitivities. Complimentary Zooper Packs contain resources to aid in a fun, stress-free day, like a visual schedule, fidget toys, earplugs and a sensory-friendly map indicating areas to visit and avoid.
Among the array of delicious dining options throughout the zoo grounds, including burgers, pizza, barbecue, frozen treats and coffee – are plenty of vegan options as well.
The zoo is also heavily involved with international conservation and research efforts to save threatened species. Among its success stories: The birth of more than 40 clouded leopard cubs since 2009, the reintroduction of alligator snapping turtles to Tennessee waterways and recognition as a pioneer in the care of giant anteaters. The staff is even working on an official “anteater care manual” with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Program.
Here are other highlights that set Nashville Zoo above the rest.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Oh, the places you’ll go at the Nashville Zoo! Backstage Pass Tours grant visitors access to animals, areas and adventures not available to the public. The zoo currently offers eight, family-friendly tours to get up close to rhinos, giraffes, sloths, aardvarks, clouded leopards, red pandas, cassowaries and giant tortoises. These popular, 30-60 minute tours vary in touching and feeding opportunities. The zoo also offers a tour of their state-of-the-art veterinary center for those interested in the field of animal care.
All backstage tours include zoo admission, and ticket proceeds go right back to its conservation efforts. No matter which tour you choose, you’re in the hands of walking zoo-cyclopedias.
Award-Winning Exhibits
To really understand the caliber of Nashville Zoo, look no further than the accolades it has received.
The zoo recently earned back-to-back exhibit design awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is the highest accomplishment for exhibit design given by the AZA – basically the Best Picture Oscar for zoos. Two consecutive wins has only ever occurred twice before.
In 2020, the Tiger Crossroads exhibit won the award following an extensive renovation that added a new viewing area with an interactive training window from which to observe the “streak” of majestic, endangered Sumatran tigers.
And in 2019, the AZA’s top honors went to Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear. In this completely immersive exhibit, you’ll find South America’s only native bear species, as well as pudu (the world’s smallest deer), guinea pigs, freshwater stingrays and cotton-top tamarin. (Pro tip: They’re in the women’s restroom!)
What’s New at Nashville Zoo
What’s next for the Nashville Zoo? Growth, growth and more growth.
Phase II of its ongoing Grow Wild initiative will see the construction of a 40-acre African savanna and village (including lions!), plus an education facility with large classrooms and inspiration to learn about animal care and conservation.
Phase III will round out the African experience with a leafy forest slated to house okapi, bongo antelopes, red river hogs and primates including mandrill, guenon and a family of gorillas.
At nearly 200 acres, the Nashville Zoo is the ninth largest in the country by landmass – and less than half of the property is currently developed. That means in the coming weeks, months and years, there’s plenty of room to grow wild.
