We recommend setting aside between 2 to 3 hours for your visit.

Animals are most active first thing in the morning, especially during the summer. The Zoo is the least crowded late afternoon.

The Zoo is open year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. 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. Zoo hours can be found on our Hours & Directions page.

Yes. 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.

Yes. 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.

No. 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. Click here to read our service animal policy.

Nashville Zoo is pleased to offer a limited number of complimentary passes to charitable organizations in the Nashville community. If you are interested in receiving a ticket donation for your organization's event, please fill out the Donation Request Form to submit your request.

If you would like to request an interview with a Nashville Zoo staff member, please complete this form. Interview responses will be sent via e-mail only.

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 rent on 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.

No.

Yes. We have one ATM located inside the gift shop in Entry Village. There is an ATM located inside of the gift shop.

The Zoo's lost and found is located at the ticket booth in Entry Village.

Yes – you should purchase tickets through our website in advance of our visit. Many entry time slots sell out in advance and we generally are not able to accommodate walk-ups.

Yes, Nashville Zoo offers 5 different annual membership packages. Click here to learn more about Zoo membership and read our membership FAQ.

Nashville Zoo accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted.

Nashville Zoo offers $1 off admission for military personnel and everyone in their party when they present their military ID.

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 here. 

Please note: Good-any-day tickets, prepaid or complimentary tickets, reciprocal membership, some coupons, and any other discount that does not have a discount code cannot be processed online. We recommend that you secure tickets online in advance and stop at the ticket booth before entering the Zoo to receive a refund for the discounted amount.

In general, we are able to accommodate arrivals between 15 minutes before your reservation time and up to 1 hour after your reservation time.

Yes, if we have availability, we can move your reservation to a new time. Prices may vary and times may already be sold out. Email orders@nashvillezoo.org with your Order # and preferred new date & time.

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 you would like to change your reservation, email orders@nashvillezoo.org with your Order # and preferred new date & time.

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.

The reciprocal zoo membership discount cannot be processed online because it requires verification. We recommend that you secure tickets online in advance and stop at the ticket booth before entering the Zoo to receive a refund for the discounted amount. You will need to present your membership card (not expired) for the reciprocal zoo to receive the refund. Check the list of reciprocal zoos here.

Check out this page to look up an order you've placed via our online store. You can use this tool to re-print your receipt or tickets.

Check out this page to learn how to use a promotion code on our website.

Check out this page to learn how to find your Member #.