I've been to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. quite a few times in my life -- now that, my friends, is a zoo! I had heard some bad things about the recently consolidated Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, so when I visited it for the first time with my then 1-year old son last year, I really was not expecting much at all. Because I went in with such lowered expectations, I was actually quite pleasantly surprised...

The Zoo:

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere sits on 200-acres of land in Nashville. The zoo started moving there in 1996, consolidating a small reserve with the previous small zoo that had been located elsewhere. As such, the non-profit zoo is still growing and changing every year.

The exhibits/habitats around the Zoo's entrance are simply breathtaking, with wooden-suspension walkways that go through lush foliage, beautiful trees and flowers, and lovely waterfalls and streams. The Macaws and Cranes are the lucky animals who get to hang out in these beautiful habitats. A little further in the exhibits are still lovely, with the usually entertaining Gibbons (a type of primate -- called "lesser apes") hanging out on lush islands and the adorable meerkats (like Timone from "The Lion King") in a nice, glass enclosed habitat with educational-play facilities around it.

A bit deeper into the zoo the exhibits are less "fancy". The pathway is a dirt or black-top trail with run-of-the-mill trees and grass surrounding it. Many of the animals (Zebra, Ostrich, Eland) are mingled in a large, free-range type field, so you may or may not be able to see them well (which is actually fine with me -- I would prefer that the animals have lots of room to roam).

There are other nice-looking animal habitats further into the zoo -- the white tigers' habitat consists of many levels with a nice waterfall running down it. The otters' habitat is very nice too, with viewing areas both above and below the water's surface. I think all of the animals' habitats look nice, it's just sometimes you have to walk through some plain-old trails to get to them.

There is an area toward the back of the zoo where you can ride the elephants (which we haven't done yet, because our boy is still a bit young to be trusted up there). The elephant just walks around in a circle, which doesn't look like too much fun (for the riders or the elephant). You do have to pay extra to ride the elephants (I'm afraid I don't recall how much -- not a lot if memory serves).

As others have mentioned, there are still some important animals missing from this zoo. Although giraffes are part of the zoo's logo, there are still no giraffes at the Nashville Zoo (according to one of the zoo's staff, the giraffes are still at the old zoo's location until a suitable habitat can be built for them here -- she said they hoped to have them moved within the next year-or-so). There are no bears or lions, no animals from colder climates. Often animals come in through temporary exhibits (I know that there were lions a year or two ago, but they aren't there now).
The full (I don't know how current) list of animals at the zoo can be found here:
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/alist.htm

As with any zoo, sometimes the animals are sleeping or are behind structures/foliage that make them hard to see.

The Playground:

Inside the Nashville Zoo you will find the largest community-built playground of its kind in the world! It really really amazing. The playground is 66,000(!) square feet and can accommodate over 1,000 children at a time!

My son really could spend all day here. Some high points include:
+) Toddler Village -- an enclosed, shaded space that is completely soft, with foam shapes to climb (and fall) upon. Only children under a certain size are admitted.
+) Tree Of Life -- the centerpiece to the playground consists of a huge tree-fort (made to look like it is built on/around a giant tree). Huge slides protrude from various levels of the treehouse, and a massive cargo net allows children to climb from the ground over a pond full of bright Koi fish to get to an upper level (it is a bit thrilling to look down and see the water far down below you as you climb). Rope swings, suspension bridges, and ramps connect the tree to other parts of the playground. The "Tree of Life" is over 35 feet tall, and includes a twisting slide that is 26 feet long.
+) Animal Sculpture Garden - this area of the playground fascinates my boy. There is a giant snake you can walk through (hunched over if you are an adult) -- entering through its mouth. A large hippo is also fun to climb/sit on. Cute sand areas and a cave are also found here, with fossils embedded in the walls.
+) Beautiful water, flowers, and shrubbery surround the play-area, making it a lovely place to hang-out for a while.
+) There are also plenty of other wooden forts with various levels and crawl-spaces, as well as lots of slides and swings.

A large portion of the playground is also ramp-accessible, and they have high-backed swings to accommodate children with various disabilities. There is also plenty of mesh netting next to high places to prevent injury if your child tumbles (as well as around the water to keep anyone from taking a swim). Most of the equipment is large enough that adults can participate along with the kids.

There is also a refreshment stand (offering hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, icees, and ice cream) as well as some vending machines just outside the entrance to the play area -- so if your child starts getting hungry or overheated you can stop for a quick bite to eat and/or some ice cream.

You can read more about the Zoo's playground here:
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/jgym.htm

Other Zoo Areas:

Petting Zoo:
Called "Critter Encounters", this is a nice, large area where your children can pet the animals. Goats and llamas are among the animals you can pet. There were other animals there as well (I'm guessing around 10 different species), however my boy is still a bit young to be trusted to pet the animals (and not pull or poke at them), so we have yet to partake. I was pleased to see the hand-sanitizing stations at the petting zoo's exit.

Aviary & Reptile Area:
The "Unseen New World" area opened in 1998, and houses approximately 250 animals from 75 species of reptiles, amphibians, insects, mammals, and birds. It is called "Unseen New World" because many of these species are very rare -- some are on the verge of becoming extinct. Others are "unseen" because of the methods they use to hide from predators and prey. It is a nice theme that ties the exhibits together. The building is very attractive with easy-to-view exhibits. Some of the items in the center are an anaconda, Gila monster, red-eyed tree frog, blue poison frog, bats, a positively massive turtle, and iguanas. The aviary is quite lush (albeit rather small) and includes a winding staircase (that goes up to offices that you aren't allowed to enter) and a waterfall that runs down by the stairs. Strollers and wagons are not allowed inside the building, which kept us from visiting it until just recently because we didn't want to leave our stroller outside.

Coming Soon - the "Bamboo Trail":
This exhibit is supposed to open a few weeks from now (maybe I'll be updating this review soon), and will feature bamboo and the animals that live on it. From the literature I've received as a zoo member, it sounds like this will be another really cool area full of nice exhibits. New animals in this area will include the Red Panda, Ring-tail Lemur, and Clouded Leopard. There will also be hands-on displays to teach about bamboo, such as how strong it is and how quickly it grows. There will also be instruments to play, such as a giant bamboo lute and windchimes.

Amphitheater:
There is a large amphitheater on the zoo's grounds where various educational shows are performed throughout the year. This year's shows include "Wings of the World" (an award-winning bird show), "It's a Wild Life" (featuring a bevy of exotic cats and reptiles), and "Animal Adaptions" (showcasing how animals adapt to their environment). Shows are performed both during the week and on weekends throughout spring, summer, and fall.

Grassmere Historic Farm:
The Grassmere Historic Farm is a large farmhouse that was built in 1810. You can take a walking-tour through the home as costumed staff members tell you about the five generations who lived there. Original furniture and photographs are in the house. The farm's grounds also include livestock, a 3-tier heirloom garden and the family cemetery. There is no additional charge to tour the home. My family and I have not yet toured the farm, as I do not think my toddler is old enough to appreciate it.

Restaurants & Shops:
- The Safari Gift Shop is near the zoo's entrance. They have a nice variety of animal-themed gifts and shirts. Members receive a discount on purchases at the gift shop (but we have yet to buy anything there, although the prices seem surprisingly reasonable).
- The Safari Grill is a sit-down restaurant also located near the zoo's entrance. They offer mostly hamburgers (we have yet to eat here either, because we usually just get ice cream at the playground).
- As mentioned above, there is also a refreshment stand near the playground that features junk-food (hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, etc).

About the Zoo:

Motto: Promoting environmental and species conservation through education and recreation

Hours:

Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
9am - 6pm April 1 - October 31
9am - 4pm November 1 - March 31

Admission:

$8.00 - Adults and teens
$7.00 - Seniors (65+)
$6.00 - Children (3-12)
Children under 3 are admitted free of charge
Parking fee: $2.00 (not applicable for members or people with handicap-parking permits)

Zoo Membership:

Memberships are good for 1 year and include unlimited admission to the zoo and free parking.
- Individual: $35 for an individual and 1 guest
- Family: $60 for 2 named adults, their children under 18, and one guest per visit
- Grandparents: $50 for 2 named adults and their grandchildren under 18
- Safari Set: $100 for one individual plus 4 guests OR a Family membership plus 2 guests per visit
- Senior (65+) / Student: $30 for the senior or student and one guest per visit.

We currently have an individual membership because children under the age of 3 have free admittance (and my son is almost 2). I am the named member, and tend to take my husband as the guest. When my boy turns 3 we will probably upgrade to a Family membership. The membership card is a nice, thick plastic, just like a credit card. This year the red panda is featured on the face of the card.

The Nashville Zoo has a reciprocal agreement with the Knoxville Zoo and Chattanooga (Warner Park) Zoo (as well as various other historic institutions via the "Time Travelers" program), so your membership card actually gets you into a nice variety of zoos and historic sites.

Special Events:

There are a wide variety of special events that go on throughout the year at the zoo. Many are open to the public, but some are for members-only. Around Easter they have an "Eggstravaganzoo" celebration (with Easter egg hunts and other games for kids), and each Halloween they have a big blowout with hay rides and trick-or-treating. On Superbowl Sunday, admission to the park is free for everyone (they call it "Zooperbowl"). A few times a year they have "Camp with the Critters" nights, where you can actually bring a tent and spend the night at the zoo.

Miscellaneous:

- There are various areas available for birthday parties and/or corporate gatherings. Party information is available on the zoo's website at: http://www.nashvillezoo.org/birthday.htm
- Restrooms are plentiful toward the front of the zoo, but on the hiking trails they are non-existent (so hope that you aren't in back with the elephants when you decide you need to go). The restrooms are large, clean, and handicapped-accessible. They also include nice baby-changing stations.
- Staff members, much like the bathrooms, are plentiful toward the front of the zoo but harder to find in back on the trails. The staff we have talked to have all been extremely pleasant, knowledgeable, and friendly.
- First-aid stations are also scattered throughout the zoo grounds.
- There are vending machines (even at the rear of the zoo) that vend soft drinks, juices, and bottled-water.
- Parking usually isn't a problem. There is a large paved area in front of the zoo, however it fills up rather quickly and people often resort to using the field near the parking lot. So far I've always been able to find a space that isn't terribly far from the entrance (as we usually go in the afternoons when it is getting cooler, and some people are leaving by then).
- At the information desk you can rent strollers and wagons for toting your tot around the zoo grounds. The only down-side to this is many of the buildings (the gift shop, restaurant, and "Unseen World") do not allow strollers and wagons inside.

Rating & Recommendations:

I had a hard time "rating" the zoo by epinion's ratings standards. As a zoo I would definitely rate it below average (although I have high hopes for it in the future). As a fun place for my family and me to spend a day-or-two every month, I would rate it above average. If you are into hiking or walking, the zoo is an absolutely lovely place to do just that.

If you have small children, either take a stroller, rent a wagon, or get ready to do lots of carrying. The trails between the exhibits toward the back of the zoo are a bit long, and your little ones will probably get tired (although there is a little rock play-area beside one of the trails toward the back of the zoo -- I think someone just carved it out of some rock that was there). If you will be there in the heat of summer, I would recommend visiting either early-morning or late-afternoon, as the heat and humidity are awful here. Last time I visited the zoo they were adding a large water-misting station, but I'm sure they won't be adding misting-stations to the back reaches of the zoo grounds. There is actually a lot of shade from trees on the hiking paths, but it still gets very hot.

My toddler loves going to the zoo. He has a blast on the playground, and likes seeing the animals. If you have children who love playgrounds, the zoo certainly has a great one that will probably occupy your kids for a long while (longer than they will be occupied by the zoo itself). By the time your kids have outgrown the playground, the zoo probably will not have much else to hold their interest (as there aren't enough "exotic" animals to entertain them for long).

If you are coming to Nashville on vacation, I wouldn't recommend putting The Nashville Zoo high on your "must-see" priority list. Although parts of it are absolutely lovely, there just are not enough animals or exhibits to fill an entire day. If you come in with lowered expectations, you just might have a nice time, but if you are looking for a "big" zoo then you'll need to look elsewhere. If you are a local Tennessean looking for a nice place to let your young children run and play that is also educational, then by all means get a zoo membership and visit frequently. I see young parents there all the time, hiking the trails with their babies in a carrier or pushing a stroller. The playground is simply fabulous for young'uns.

I still have high-hopes for The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Some of the exhibits/habitats are absolutely breathtaking. They are growing slowly but surely, so it will just keep getting better and better.


Zoo Website:
http://www.nashvillezoo.org


Please view my Profile Page for a few small pictures of my son at the Nashville Zoo.

Recommended: Yes