Backstage Pass
Think you've seen everything Nashville Zoo has to offer? Think again! Join us on our behind-the-scenes Backstage Pass Tours to learn about everything that goes into running a zoo and meet (& feed!) some animals along the way.
Backstage Pass gives you behind-the-scenes access to areas not available to the public. These special tours are filled with experiences and information you cannot get anywhere else.
We recommend purchasing your ticket in advance to secure your spot!
Check out tour options!
Docent-led Walking Tours
Free with Zoo admission
45-minute tour, available every Thursday & Sunday.
Requires pre-registration at least one week in advance.
Enjoy a personalized visit to the Zoo with a guided walking tour led by our docents (trained volunteer educators).
Register your group (up to 40 guests) by contacting Chris Radek, the Zoo's Interpretation Manager, at cradek@nashvillezoo.org or 615-833-1534 x146.
Tour Themes
Nashville Zoo Around the World: Learn more about Nashville Zoo’s conservation efforts, both locally and globally, and how you can help!
We Are Family!: Many animals at Nashville Zoo live in family groups just like us. Why? Learn more about these animals that live in groups and how it helps them survive.
Historic Home and Garden Tours
Have you ever visited the Zoo and wondered what "Grassmere" means or who the Croft's were? Why are those names important to the history of Nashville Zoo? The answers to these questions can be found during a tour of the Grassmere Historic Home, located at the Historic Farm area of the Zoo.
- January 1 - March 12: closed
- March 13 - October 11: open daily
- October 12 - December 31: closed, except for Christmas tours.
- Christmas tours: December 5-6, December 12-13, December 19-20
Self-Guided Tour: Roam at your own pace between 10-11:15 am.
Kid-Friendly Tour: 20-minute guided tour at 11:30 am.
Guided Tour: 30-minute guided tour starts at 12:00 pm.
Check daily calendar for today's tour times
Learn more about the Historic Home
Tour Topics:
Self-Guided Tours
Explore and roam the Historic Home between 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Do you want to visit the Grassmere Historic Home but do not have time to take a tour? Come to an open house and roam through the house on your own. Staff will be on-hand to answer questions.
Historic Home Tour
This 30 minute tour takes place daily at noon.
Take a step back in time to experience life in a Middle Tennessee farm home.
Learn about the five generations of family members who occupied the home when it was built in 1810 to when the land was willed, eventually becoming Nashville Zoo. See original family artifacts, learn about the farm's connection to Cuba, and learn about the outbuildings that played a vital role in the history of the property.
Kid-Friendly Tour
This 20 minute tour takes place daily at 11:30 a.m.
While kids are invited to join any guided tour, these kid-friendly tours are shorter and focus on topics this age group may find interesting.
These tours will give children a glimpse into the house's history and importance, and explain how the Grassmere property became the Nashville Zoo. Tours will include peeks into the Historic Home and artifact encounters.
Farm Outbuilding Tour
Tour length varies
The Grassmere Historic Farm is much more than just the Historic Home. Learn more about how five generations lived and worked on the property.
The outbuildings on the Historic Farm each have their own story and unique purpose. Visitors are invited to visit the carriage barn, gardens, kitchen, smokehouse, slave cabin, and cemetery. Tour starts at the kitchen building.
Artifact Encounters
Encounters will take place from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. during June and July.
Did you ever want to reach out and touch one of the artifacts inside the house? Artifact Encounters will offer visitors a chance to get up close and personal with actual artifacts and replicas from the Grassmere Historic Farm collection.