- How long does it take to visit Nashville Zoo?
- We recommend setting aside between 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
- When’s the best time to visit the Zoo?
- Animals are most active first thing in the morning, especially during the summer. However, the Zoo is the least crowded late in the afternoon.
- What are zoo’s hours? What days are you open?
- During the summer, the zoo is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. During the winter, the zoo is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The zoo is open year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. Certain events, such as Zoolumination, may still occur even when the zoo is closed to general admission. In the event of inclement weather, the Zoo may close and a notice will be posted on the website and on our social media pages. Further details can be found on our Hours & Directions page at www.nashvillezoo.org.
- Can I leave the Zoo and come back on the same day?
- Visitors are welcome to exit and come back on the same day, but you must stop by the information hut and get your hand stamped. This is the only way to re-gain entry.
- Can you bring outside food in?
- Guests are welcome to bring their own food to Nashville Zoo, but please refrain from glass, disposable straws and lids and balloons as they can be harmful to our animals. You are welcome to leave your food in your vehicle and retrieve it before eating, but please stop by the information hut to get your hand stamped as it is the only way to regain entry.
- Can I bring my pet with me on my visit?
- Pets present a health and safety issue to our animal collection and are not permitted on Zoo grounds, including the parking lot. Service animals are permitted. Visit www.nashvillezoo.org to read our service animal policy.
- Who do I contact to get charitable donations for my organization?
- Can I interview someone at the Zoo for a school project?
- If you would like to request an interview with a Nashville Zoo staff member, please visit www.nashvillezoo.org. Interview responses will be sent via e-mail only.
- Are there wheelchairs for rent?
- Zoo visitors in need of a wheelchair are welcome to rent a manual wheelchair or one of our electric scooters at the Zoo entrance. Wheelchairs are available for renton a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the popularity of these rentals, we are unable to guarantee availability and this equipment cannot be reserved in advance. Personal wheelchairs are always welcome at Nashville Zoo.
- Are there lockers for rent?
- Is there an ATM?
- There is an ATM located inside of the gift shop.
- Where is the Zoo's lost and found?
- The Zoo's lost and found is located at the ticket booth in Entry Village.
- Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
- However, ticket prices vary by day. Purchase at least two weeks in advance to receive the lowest price for your visit. Visit our website at www.nashvillezoo.org for more details.
- Does the Zoo have seasonal or yearly passes?
- Yes, Nashville Zoo offers 5 different annual membership packages. Visit www.nashvillezoo.org to learn more about Zoo membership and read our membership FAQ.
- What forms of payment are accepted?
- Nashville Zoo accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted.
- Do you offer discounts?
- Nashville Zoo offers a $10 admission discount off our daily general admission prices for military personnel and everyone in their party when they present their military ID for general admission. After-hour events are not included in the discount.
- The Zoo also participates in a few general discount programs throughout the year - those will generally be announced via social media or on our Upcoming Events calendar.
- Read our website section about discounted admission at www.nashvillezoo.org.
- Discounts that do not have a discount/promo code cannot be processed online.
- Can I arrive late or early for my reserved entry time slot?
- In general, we are able to accommodate arrivals between 15 minutes before your reservation time and up to 1 hour after your reservation time.
- Can I change my reservation date?
- It's raining! Are you open? Can I come later?
- The Zoo is open rain or shine! Depending on the severity of the weather, some animals may need to come inside for their safety and some attractions/rides may need to temporarily close for your safety. In very rare cases, severe weather may force us to close the Zoo. If so, a message will be made available on our website at www.nashvillezoo.org.
- If you would like to change your reservation, please visit rebooking.nashvillezoo.org.
- How do I avoid paying to park if I didn't bring a vehicle?
- Parking is automatically charged when you purchase tickets. If you didn't arrive in a vehicle, you can request a refund at the Ticket Booth upon arrival to the Zoo.
- If we have a reciprocal zoo membership or a membership from another zoo, how do we reserve discounted tickets?
- The reciprocal zoo membership discount cannot be processed online because it requires verification. Purchase your tickets at the Ticket Booth by presenting your unexpired membership card for the reciprocal zoo to receive the discount. Check the list of reciprocal zoos at www.nashvillezoo.org.
- How do I find my Member Number?
- Visit our website for help finding your member number.
- What is your address?
- Our address is 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. We are located near the corner of Nolensville Pike and Harding Place.
- What are your membership levels?
- Single
- Dual
- Household
- $180
- 1 Adult and 1 Guest
- Eligible children
- Household Plus
- $215
- 2 Adults and 1 Guest
- Eligible children
- Safari Set
- $265
- 2 Adults and 2 Guests
- Eligible children
- You can also add the Unlimited Rides pass for only $75.
- What are the benefits of being a member?
- Free Zoo admission and parking during regular hours for a full year
- 10% discount on concessions and retail purchases
- $1 discount on stroller and manual wheelchair rentals
- $2 discount on Zoo admission for additional guests
- Member rates for eligible education programs and special events
- Discounted admission to over 170 zoos and aquariums nationwide. Visit our website at www.nashvillezoo.org for details.
- Email updates about new exhibits, animals, programs and more
- A Digital Membership card accessible both online and through the zoo’s mobile app
- Who is considered an eligible child?
- Eligible children are the children or grandchildren, under age 21, of the Primary Named Adult. Children under age 2 are always admitted free.
- What if my child is coming without me?
- The eligible child/grandchild* should bring:
- Membership card (or a copy of the front and back of card)
- An ID for the Primary Named Adult on the card (for example, a copy of a listed adult’s driver license)
- Remember, the person accompanying your child will need to pay applicable admission fees, unless your card has a Guest listed on the back of the card.
- TIP: Email or text an image of both sides of the membership card and your ID to the person bringing your child.
- Are there any membership discounts?
- Renewing, non-lapsed members receive a $20 promotion code via email and mail prior to their current membership’s expiration that can be used on their renewal.
- $20 discount is available for educators, military and seniors (65+). Onsite only. Proof of status is required at the time of purchase.
- SNAP, WIC and TANF participants can qualify for a $100 discount on a household-level membership. See how to redeem this offer here.
- Seasonal discounts may be offered via email, social media, etc. Sign up for our email newsletters here.
- Restrictions: One discount may be used per purchase. Discounts may not be used on gift orders.
- Who qualifies as a Guest?
- A Guest [if indicated on the membership] may be anyone aged 2 or older. The GUEST may visit with the eligible member children by presenting proof of membership as well as proof of ID for a named adult [such as a photo image]. This option is only available at the Household level and above. The Guest on a DUAL level may not visit without the named Primary Adult.
- Buying for someone else?
- Buying a membership gift voucher is the easiest way to give a membership to someone else!
- Start here: Select the level, choose the option "Gift Certificate Starts When Redeemed" and enter your billing info. No info about the recipient is needed until they redeem the voucher.
- Membership gift vouchers do not expire.
- The confirmation, which contains the order number, is sent via email to the purchaser. Forward this to the recipient or create your own certificate, just make sure that the order number is included.
- The recipient will activate their membership by presenting the gift voucher or the order number to the Membership Sales Building upon their first visit [during regular Zoo hours].
- New or lapsed memberships begin the day the voucher is redeemed. A voucher applied to an existing membership will extend that membership by one year.
- Want to renew a membership on behalf of someone else?
- You will need their member #, last name, membership level desired, and the names they wish to list on their membership. You can do this online or onsite.
- Visiting the Zoo
- A named member must be present with an ID and membership card - in either print or digital form with both sides of the card visible.
- Guests may only visit with a named member.
- A child visiting with a guest or alone may show the adult member's ID - in either print or digital form.
- Length of Membership
- All new and lapsed memberships are valid for one or two full years from the date of purchase. Renewed membership terms are added to the existing expiration date.
- Unlimited Ride Pass: Regardless of when you add on your Unlimited Ride Pass, it will expire on the same date as your Zoo membership.
- Gift Voucher Use
- Gift vouchers do not expire.
- Vouchers are not assigned to a specific recipient in our system - the bearer may redeem.
- Vouchers must be redeemed onsite at the Membership Sales Building.
- New or lapsed memberships begin the day the voucher is redeemed. A voucher applied to an existing membership will extend that membership by one year.
- The voucher cannot be redeemed for cash and can only be redeemed for a membership.
- Upgrades, Changes, Refunds & Transfers
- Level Upgrades: Memberships may be upgraded at any time during the membership term by paying the difference between the current level and the higher level. Level upgrades do not change the expiration date.
- Changes: The Primary Named Adult may contact membership@nashvillezoo.orgto update address, email, phone or the second named adult. The Primary Named Adult may not be changed.
- Memberships are not transferable and in most cases, no refund may be issued. It is assumed that every member will have visited often enough to recoup the cost (2-3 visits) regardless of how recently the membership was purchased.