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Nashville Zoo – Nashville, Tennessee

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If you’re looking for a fun day trip that the whole family will love, you should check out the Nashville Zoo. The zoo is home to hundreds of different animals, making it the perfect place to learn about nature and all its wonders. Plus, there are plenty of activities for kids of all ages, so no one will get bored. So make sure to put the Nashville Zoo on your list of things to do next time you’re in town!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee

Travel Tips

While traveling be sure you bring change so you can take advantage of any pressed penny machines you come across. These make great souvenirs. 

With rentals available all over the world, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay. Airbnb has something for everyone. Plus, with prices that are often much cheaper than traditional hotels, you’ll be able to stretch your vacation budget even further.

If you can not find an Airbnb that fits your needs a second option is VRBO. Find an amazing vacation home for your family.

Tennessee Tour Passes

Depending on what you are planning to do it could be very beneficial for you to purchase a pass that bundles attraction for one low price. Here are the best ones for Tennessee:

Each one has its own perks and rates for attractions so be sure to check each one for the best possible bundle for your vacation.

Get Away Today Vacation Packages

Want to book your entire vacation as a package? Give Get Away Today a try. They have specials and promos going on all the time.

Also, make sure to check out our travel deals page for any deals or sales on your next trip no matter where it is!

The Nashville Zoo – Nahsville, TN

This spot made our list of Top 21 Things To Do on Your Nashville Vacation but you if want a discount on paid attractions, make sure to check out the Nashville Sightseeing Pass.

The Nashville Zoo is in the middle of a concrete jungle (Nashville) but once you drive in it’s like a little oasis.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Drive in

We rented one of the double strollers for the day, we had the 3 year old in it and switched out the older two and I carried the baby in my Ergo Carrier.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Stroller

The Zoo had their Halloween décor out at the time we visited (begining of Oct).

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Halloween Decor

There was also a wedding going on that day.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Wedding

The first animals we saw were the Meerkats.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Meerket Sign

They had a tunnel for kids to crawl through and pop up in the middle of the exhibit and view them up close.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Pop Up

These little critters were so funny and dramatic

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee MeerKat

They have a great jungle gym to let kids run and get their energy out!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Jungle Gym

Heading to each exhibit you could find that animal’s footprints on the sidewalk.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Foot Prints

We were so excited to see the elephants; they had a great exhibit for them with a beautiful pool and multiple areas to view them from

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Elephants

Then we followed the next set of tracks… And saw the giraffes, we even got treated to a baby giraffe only about a month old!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Giraffe

Then we stopped at the zoo café for lunch. I loved that all their food was local!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Local Food

Then we stopped in to see the fish and reptile exhibit, let me stop and shudder right there. I dislike most reptiles but I can’t STAND snakes like won’t even stand in the same room as their cages.

So when we hit that part I let hubby take over and let the kids look so I could walk up a ways and wait for them.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Fish

There were even some animals listed as under vet care.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Vet Care

Then we headed to the petting zoo. I was worried the kids would freak out about the goats roaming right up to them but they LOVED IT!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Goat Petting

They found some brushes and were able to pet the goats too. They had a blast chasing down every goat to make sure it was brushed.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Goat Brushing

On a side note you could tell we were in Jack Daniel’s country….

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Jack Daniel

Then I felt some tugging at my skirt…. Some goat was trying to eat it! Got a good laugh from the hubby on that one! Then my son was eyeing that goat up to make sure it left us alone

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Eyeing of the Goat

We then got to see some flamingos and my kids tried to stand like them… unsuccessfully.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Flamingo

We then got to see several animals including a hog, cougar and a monkey all that where trying to hide we caught glimpses but nothing you can see in a picture!

From there we got to cross a beautiful koi pond.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Koi Pond

Then we headed to mommy’s favorite exhibit ( I LOVE white tigers), the tigers and saw this sign.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Tiger Sign

Hubby had to make mention to the tiger episode of Malcolm in the Middle and that’s all I could think about!  But I wasn’t disappointed I got to see my white tigers!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Tigers

Hubby was upset the bear section was under construction and there were no bears, that is his favorite animal to see. I told him we could move to the Smoky Mountains and he could have one in his back yard. He didn’t like my joke very much, haha!

Next we saw some Zebras.

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Zebras

Then came one of my favorite memories from the zoo! The Kangaroos!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Kangaroo 1

The kids got to kneel right by sleeping kangaroos!

In the exhibit you stayed on the path and let the kangaroos come to you

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Kangaroo Sign

Then we got to see a sleeping baby kangaroo right up close!

Nashville Zoo - Nashville, Tennessee Baby Kangaroo

Nashville Zoo is a great place to visit, and it’s even better during the holiday season. There are so many fun things to see and do at the zoo, and you can make a day of it by spending time outdoors with your family and friends. If you haven’t been yet, be sure to put it on your list of places to go this winter!

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