What’s New at the
Nashville Zoo

My family loves visiting the Nashville Zoo. In the last few years, I’ve watched our zoo transform from a fun, local attraction to a world-class conservation facility. If you’ve never been to the Nashville Zoo, or if you haven’t been lately, now is the time to sample what the zoo has to offer.

HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center
The Nashville Zoo has opened a stunning, state-of-the-art healthcare center to facilitate animal care and research opportunities. For visitors to the zoo, the vet center presents unique educational experiences. Outdoor seating areas provide window views into procedure rooms, allowing guests to observe animal check-ups and surgeries. Additional viewing windows allow glimpses into nursery and incubation rooms.

The daily schedule for veterinary procedures will be posted at the zoo’s entrance and on the @NashZooVet Twitter account. Some procedures may be graphic, so discretion is advised in determining age-appropriate experiences.  Visits to the veterinary center are included in admission at no extra cost.

Expedition: Peru
Nestled in the center of the zoo is a Peruvian paradise of flowers and animals. Featuring guinea pigs, a pudu, and Andean bears, Expedition: Peru is a gorgeous example of the advancements the Nashville Zoo has made as an organization. (You may have heard about exhibit star Luka the Bear when the video of her jumping went viral last summer.)

In addition to lush plant life and intriguing animals, Expedition: Peru includes an indoor viewing area that makes the exhibit especially enjoyable during Nashville’s hotter months. (And outdoors, the guinea pigs absolutely steal the show!)

Tigers Are Here!
The long-awaited tiger exhibit re-opened this spring! A covered bridge gives visitors a view of the expanded habitat, while the exhibit building features floor-to-ceiling glass windows to allow a closer look at the animals. Tiger keepers will use a training wall to demonstrate target-training techniques that help them care for the tigers.

My family loves seeing the zoo’s Sumatran tigers, whom we’ve been following in online videos since their arrival to the zoo. The opening of the tiger exhibit was one of our most anticipated events of the year.

Planning a visit to the zoo? A few things to know before you go:

The Playground: The Nashville Zoo is home to a giant, wooden playground. It’s wonderful for older kids but can prove daunting to parents of small children. I find it helpful to set clear guidelines for my kids before we enter the area.

The Food: The zoo offers one indoor restaurant and several outdoor dining areas and kiosks. Guests may bring refreshments inside the zoo; just avoid glass, disposable lids and straws, and balloons, which may pose a danger to the animals.

The Extras: Some zoo experiences cost additional fees. I recommend researching attractions like the zip line, the train ride, and the carousel to decide what is best for your family. Two of my favorite experiences are feeding the birds at Lorikeet Landing and the tortoises at Shell Station.

The Backstage Pass: If you are seeking a truly special memory at the zoo, you’ll want to investigate a Backstage Pass. With tours featuring behind-the-scenes looks at rhinos, giraffes, anteaters, and more, this is an unforgettable opportunity to go in-depth with the zoo. My family gave me the Saving Species tour for my birthday last year, and I treasure my experience feeding the zoo’s anteaters.

The Best Deal:  I recommend a Nashville Zoo membership for any family who plans to visit more than once a year. Zoo membership includes invitations to special member nights, discounts on concessions and zoo events, and — of course — unlimited visits with free parking! The Nashville Zoo participates in the AZA reciprocal membership program, which gives zoo members discounts or free admission to other organizations across the country.

A day at the Nashville Zoo will be filled with fun. Whether you visit the historic farm, watch an animal show, brave the rope bridge, or meet some of the zoo’s 208 animal species, you’ll find that the Nashville Zoo is one of the city’s best attractions. Plan a visit as soon as you can!