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Nashville Zoo At Grassmere
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
32 reviews for Nashville Zoo At Grassmere
32 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle M.
Las Vegas, NV
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Perfect for preschoolers, lots of space to roam. We got there at 9:30am and all the animals were out and active. I was almost not going to go based on some of the feedback BUT I was not expecting the San Diego Zoo and it was perfect for my two boys 5 and 3. It is a little pricey but we had a 2 for 1 and were there for over 2 hrs.
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Review from Hanna H.
Nashville, TN
1/19/2012
I'm from Columbus, Ohio. Home of the THE Columbus Zoo with Jack Hanna and all of that. So... I wasn't getting my hopes up too high for the Nashville Zoo. The location is random (probably not their fault) and I just really wasn't expecting much that would pique my interest. My brother, sister-in-law and niece and nephew came to visit us and we decided to take them to the zoo for something to do.
Let me just say... I was very pleasantly surprised by the zoo! I felt it was beautiful and the different exhibits were well thought out and designed. The only part we skipped was the bird exhibit as my nephew is not a huge fan of the flying creatures.
The wooden playground area was amazing!! The kids played for about an hour on that at the end of our day at the zoo. If I would have had more energy I would have been out there with them. I took the job of holding all of our "stuff".
We'll definitely be going back here once we have our own kids to take! -
Review from Kelly H.
Kansas City, MO
1/4/2012
This is one of the saddest zoo's I've been to. The animals all looked a little sickly, and their enclosures were all rather small and sparse. The Grassmere house on the property was definitely the coolest part of the whole zoo. Aside from touring the house, which almost made the $12 entry fee seem worthwhile, there's not much to the place. Every animal can be seen in less than two hours, so I guess if you're short on time and other places to visit, the zoo may be a viable option.
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Review from Jennifer A.
Buffalo, NY
I had high expectations for The Nashville Zoo since I had heard great things about it. But I felt a little let down when I finally got there. We had a very difficult time seeing any of the animals outdoors and the indoor exhibits were so crowed it was impossible to get close enough to see anything.
The cost is a little high, unless you opt for a membership, which I think are very reasonably priced.
To be fair, I think that I need to try it again when it isn't a Saturday in Summer. The weather wasn't really cooperating, and it was just too crowded.
Stay tuned for updates. -
Review from Howard L.
Nashville, TN
6/18/2011
Dear Cowboy T.
Go back to Chicago. Look at all your reviews. You bash everything in Nashville with ONE STAR. Are you a plant, sent here by Chicago to try to amateurishly divert tourists back to your stupid Windy City? Either that you're a little baby, crying out to the internet that you hate your new city. Guess what, it hates you back. I'm sorry if you need hyperstimulation and everything needs to be up to Chicago standards, but this is Nashville, you damn carpetbagger. And walking? Are you joking? You're downrating a zoo because you have to walk? Do they have little conveyor belts that let you ride everywhere in Chicago? Or maybe everybody up and got Segways since the last time I visited your old city.
I don't much care for zoos in general. I think they're a bit sad, no matter how great they are. And it seems most zoos are measured in "greatness" by how many exclusive animals they have. If you're an animal lover, does it really matter if they have REAL pandas? Or genuine Polar Bears? Does an animal make the whole visit worthwhile? Anyways, Grassmere has plenty of animals you won't see in your backyard. It is not a glorified petting zoo like Cowboy made out. Be sure to visit the Meer Kats and bring a sandwich or something in your pocket if you don't like the high concession prices. Don't feed the animals. -
Review from Lucas P.
Nashville, TN
8/12/2011
While no San Diego (and yes, Memphis hogs the Panda collection), I would say this zoo really met and exceeded my expectations. The animals looked well cared for, were mostly viewable and the grounds were thoughtfully planned out. One would hardly know they were bumping up next to a busy area of the city. The sections made sense, the paths flowed, the entire zoo was almost spotlessly clean and the staff encountered were super friendly.
Potential downfalls: I went during a weekday, I hear weekends are hectic. Some animals were hiding or feeding - but did see most of the major ones, even if inactive. Some smaller areas were closed for renovation/installation.
Overall - YAY! I am a fan - for a state that has 3+ zoos, this one is great! -
Review from Aubrey D.
Nashville, TN
7/25/2011
Being a member here has really paid off. My toddler and I are zoo regulars.
I don't recommend going on a week-end. It gets so crowded you can barely squeeze in to see the animals. Highlights: The padded play area for wee ones, interactive bird exhibit, meerkats, petting zoo, hearing the monkeys get vocal.
The snack bar also has great fries. Bring your own drinks to avoid over-priced sodas!
On a hot day, the shaded pathways are pleasant. There's also a spritzer awning near the carousel for cooling off.
Note: Unless you're a member, they now charge $5 for parking! -
Review from Kera T.
Murfreesboro, TN
5/26/2011
The Nashville Zoo is a great place to spend a really fun day! It has 3 main attractions, all of which are awesome: The zoo, the playground, and the historic home. They also have a lot of fun festivals and events that are definitely worth going to!
The zoo itself is very interesting! It is laid out in such a way that you don't feel like you're in a big city. You go down winding pathways through large trees, and in some areas bamboo! In some cases, you can get pretty close (safely) to the animals... For example, we got really close to the ostriches and they were hilarious to watch! There are also a lot of cool little tunnels and pathways for the kids to play in and see the animals along the way.
There is also an indoor area to the zoo as well... I always do this after the outdoor area to cool off! In here you'll see everything from house spiders to giant reptiles! This is definitely the section for young boys, and grandma may just want to wait outside. I know mine did! hehe. Also, inside there is a large greenhouse with plants and birds.
Take a walk in the opposite direction of the zoo and you'll see a giant playground. This was like going to heaven for me when I was a kid. It is a huge maze of fun. They have nets to climb, giant sandboxes, huge mazes of steps that takes hide-and-seek to a new level, bridges, slides, a childs dream come true. In fact, as a kid, I could have spent a good 8 hours or so just on the playground! I think even the most straight laced adult will be tempted to run around and play here.
Past the playground, up the pathway that goes past the merry-go-round you'll be taken back in time to the beautiful Croft house. This is where the original owners who made Grassmere possible lived from the very early 1800's to the 1980's! Let me tell ya--The tour of this house is worth the admission price alone! They give tours every half hour and our tour guide was a sweet and as knowledgable as could be! You can also go into most of the rooms which is very nice. This house also has forced air so you will be able to cool off! There is a lot to see here, so plan on spending at least an hour at the mansion. There are also gardens, slave cabins, and horse barns out and around the house that are also worth looking at. Also, bring your camera! The home and grounds are extremely photogenic!
Just a note... It can get very, very hot here in the summer. I would suggest getting one of their tall drinks that they have at stands set up all around the property. They are a bit expensive, but that is because you can get as many free refills as you want all day long. I would strongly suggest getting one to keep yourself hydrated! Also don't forget to bring sunscreen, sunhats, and sunglasses! There are a lot of nice seating areas, so picnic lunches are a nice way to teak a break between attractions. -
Review from Sarah S.
Nashville, TN
2/11/2011 ROTD 3/29/2011
Ok, so I have to give a few premises, I used to live in San Diego where they have the most amazing zoos. So, hopefully, this review is not too critical.
We decided the first time we went that we would buy a membership. By the time my husband and I paid for a day visit, you pay $10 more and you can get a family membership for a year. So, that's what we did. Considering that it's very inexpensive and you support your local zoo, we thought it was a good choice.
I've already been a few times and since we have the membership, I don't feel rushed to go see everything.
The zoo is basically broken down into 3 different sections. The one with the house and farm animals, the african area (don't know the official name) and then a jungle type area. Sorry for the lack of technical terms. My favorite has been the jungle area and walking through the bamboo area.
For Nashville, I believe this is a great zoo considering the climate we have. It is not the biggest zoo you will go to but it is not small either.
Bring a lunch and a drink and enjoy your time there.
Parking is free. -
Review from Ian R.
1/5/2011
Nashville should be proud to have a quality zoo within city limits. It is not the biggest zoo I have ever been to but it is Nashville's own and I enjoy myself every time I go. There is a nice vibe and it is completely possible to see every display in a fairly short period of time.
The biggest thing the zoo has going for is obvious for those who have kids. There is no better place to take a kid (or herd of kids) on a nice day than the zoo. The animals are obviously a big draw, but the Nashville Zoo also boasts one of the best playgrounds that I have seen anywhere. Huge, multi-leveled with a ton of places to explore. Definitely not for very small kids who will lose the parents in a heartbeat, but school age kids will have a great time for hours. Other kid friendly features are the merry-go-round, the farm, the meercats, and the bird display.
The restaurant is also surprisingly good. Nothing really surprising on the menu, but it is all made fresh to order and priced like a normal restaurant for most items. Any parent who has been taken to the cleaners at an amusement park for $8 chicken fingers will know exactly what I am talking about. I actually don't feel forced to leave the park in order to eat something palatable.
There are also a host of kid friendly events (easter, halloween, sleepovers) throughout the year that make an annual membership one of the best deals in town.
The Zoo is not perfect, but they are working on expansion and improvements every year. If you have kids and do not have a membership you are missing out. For those adults without kids, the zoo is still something you owe it to yourself to see at least once. It is a strong part of Nashville and one of the things that makes it a great place to live.Listed in: Kids Oasis
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Review from Nicole L.
Glendale Heights, IL
What a great zoo! One of my favorites, and I've been to quite a few.
The exhibits are well thought out, the zoo is easy to navigate without missing anything, and the animals are given ample room to roam while guests still get nice photo ops.
My favorites were the macaws and meerkats. I wish you could see the red pandas and lemurs a little better.
Visited: April 17, 2011 -
Review from Caitlin B.
Douglasville, GA
10/18/2010
Pros:
Free parking
The random animals that you wouldn't find at any other zoo (maybe)
The bats!
Cons:
Not a wide variety of larger animals
Admission not worth it for the lack of exhibits/animals
Very nice zoo though and my 7 year old son really liked it. I wish there was more animals but it's a decent zoo overall. -
Review from Lashona M.
Nashville, TN
9/11/2010
A very nice zoo! A great place to take kids though most animals were mating such as the giraffes and elephants so that was a site to see! lol
I loved the shady bamboo nature trail walk the most!
I went this summer but I don't recommend going during midday because it's so HOTT! Most animals are hiding looking for shade which caused some animals to not be visible. Plan to go back and see the new flamingo exhibit.
Heard the Zoo in Memphis was larger and had rare panda bears. -
Review from Jessica W.
Brentwood, TN
10/28/2010
A must-do with the kids! This is our first year to have a membership and it has been well worth it! We love the new Flamingo exhibit! The crocodiles are my son's favorite! Red Pandas, Tigers, Lynx, Elephants, Giraffes, Paraket landing, etc...I think there is a great variety of animals.
I had heard people comment about how incredible the playground is - and I always thought "why would I pay a zoo membership to go to a playground?" - now I understand, the playground is AMAZING (so impressively built!) and a highlight for the kids because they can only look at animals for so long! :) -
Review from Kenny H.
Hermitage, TN
8/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nashville's zoo still has a way to go, but I always enjoy my trips here. I don't understand why I have to get a ticket going into the parking lot, get it validated while paying for parking at the register, then return that ticket before I leave. Just make me pay $5 and save the ticket.
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Review from Red Tail H.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/7/2010
Bonuses:
Cheap entrance
Free parking
Lots of nice strolling around the grounds
Minuses:
Not many animals
Small (though prices reflect this)
Crowded exhibits (especially in the indoor areas)
I'd go back if my friend wanted to, but it's certainly nothing that I'd have as a destination place if I was visiting Nashville. -
Review from Megan E.
Springfield, TN
8/26/2009
Nice zoo. Clean and neat, well kept exhibits. Just more of a nature walk with a few animals now and then.
My son loved getting close to the lorakeets, camels and extremely overweight goats.... I thought a few of them might pop! We did not go into the jungle gym, but heard its great.
I enjoyed our day (well only about 4 or 5 hours to get thru it), but I just expected a city with the tourist draw of Nashville to have a bigger, better zoo. Prolly won't go back as Louisville is not too too far and has a great zoo. I grew up near the Toledo OH zoo and it is a huge, awesome zoo.
We did eat at the little cafeteria/cafe and it was NOT good... it cost us $25 for the three of us and we agreed that we would have rather eaten at McDonalds.... the Bleu Steer burger (at almost $6) was dry, thin and chalk-like.... They have lots of room for picnicing, so thats what I definitely suggest!!
The Grassmere farm was neat, we were early for the tour of the house and didn't feel like waiting. But it was beautifully kept, you would think animals had never been in the barn!
The staff at the zoo were all very nice and helpful, minus the head chef (if you can call him that), ok the guy in the chef's uniform at the cafeteria/cafe. I understand that he was busy, but he didn't have to be rude and condisending to the patrons. -
Review from Anna A.
Nashville, TN
12/3/2008
I have been going to Nashville zoo for years and it just keeps getting better! I only give it 4 stars because I really want more monkeys, namely orangutans, and maybe some otters or beavers. I like kangaroos, that would be cool too. Ahh, I digress. Oh, and a hippo, we definitely need a hippo.
Let me say what they do have. Lot's of shade, beautiful habitats and a variety of interesting animals like meerkats and one big old anaconda. I love to bring the kids here as the zoo is designed for you to do a lovely walk in a loop. There is a reptile and fish house that turns in to a big game of I Spy. There is a bird house that you can feed a varieties of birds. We like to lay odds on who will get pooped on. There is a cool carousel as well as working farm house to tour as well.
We buy the family membership ( the price is so reasonable) and go several times a year. The kids always love to go. You can bring your own food and drinks. There is lots of places for picnics. There is also jungle gym area for the kids if you feel the animal viewing didn't' wear them out enough.. The jungle gym is a work of art with cargo nets, padded jumping room, draw bridges and unbelievably long swirly slides.
I love this place!! -
Review from John G.
Virginia Beach, VA
6/23/2008
If you go to this zoo please keep in mind that it is a relatively young zoo, having moved to its present location just a few years ago. To its credit, the zoo is constantly expanding, with exhibits being added each year.
While an individual visit might not be the cheapest thing ever, a year membership will only set you back about the cost of two (!!!) visits. One year I brought my daughter so much that it averaged out to about $2.25 a visit. Just gotta know how to work the system. -
Review from Stephanie D.
Lewisburg, TN
6/28/2010
I've loved this zoo ever since I first set foot in it (when I was 12-ish).
It's not the greatest zoo in the world, but I love the set up. Instead of standing in the hot sun you are mostly shaded by trees and the animal exhibits are nice and big, so you can stand back and enjoy it if it's crowded, or wait the minute or two for a turn to see.. Great picture opportunities throughout the whole place, and the kids playplace is amazing. They even have a shaded, padded "playplace" for babies! (At least they did last time I went IN the playplace a few years ago, it may have changed, been through the zoo many times, but not in the playplace lately)
They are working on expanding the animal exhibits, so you have to give them credit they are trying.
The only bad thing is you can not take strollers into the reptile house. I understand why, it's for space. It would be hectic in there with strollers, but instead there are little kids running around EVERYwhere.
I do wish they had more places to eat. The place they have is ok.. Too expensive for what they serve (expect to pay 3 bucks for a hotdog, same overpriced food like every other zoo) but, you can always bring your own food.
Overall it's like a shaded trail in a park, but with the benefit of seeing some amazing animals. -
Review from Gloria A.
Huntsville, AL
Very cool zoo. My husband and I loved it! They have a red panda that is absolutely adorable and the zoo has a really natural feel. Almost like a nature walk, but urban enough for comfort.
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Review from Courtney B.
Nashville, TN
2/3/2009
This is one attraction that Nashville seriously needs to work on. We have a lot to offer for a city our size, but the Zoo (although it means well) just doesn't measure up.
Its not that it is dirty or unsafe or unkempt or anything, really its just too small. Like depressingly small. The animal habitats are clean and cheery but they're so small you start feeling bad for the creatures that live in them. Don't get me wrong, all the animals look healthy and happy (at least from my perspective), its just so cramped, I start formulating break out plans when I visit here like I'M the one in a cage.
My favorites are the reptile and bird houses but their petting zoo is pretty cool too. Even if it is populated mostly by goats. They also have a pretty cool learning center and a fantastic playground for the kiddies.
I used to volunteer here years ago (I worked in the afore-mentioned petting zoo) so I know how great the people that work here are and how much time and care they give to the animals. It seems like they are constantly trying to expand and 'renovate' the habitats and this is probably why the ticket prices are so high. There is plenty of potential here. Maybe if it had more attention and support the Zoo could be on par with some others in surrounding cities. -
Review from Becky M.
Cookeville, TN
Well staffed ALWAYS. Staff always seems to enjoy what they do. Staff keep grounds clean and the dining area is always maintained. I'm always so impressed each time I go. I don't give 5 stars easily, but the Zoo is consistent every time!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/16/2011
Love! Free parking. Reasonable admission. Even better season pass.
Staff are extra friendly. The… Read more »
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Review from Patrick R.
Nashville, TN
4/14/2008
I am admittedly a bit conflicted when it comes to zoos. I love seeing and learning about exotic animals--who doesn't? However, I also feel a bit uneasy about keeping said creatures from their natural habitats for our amusement. That being said, most zoos go out of their way to recreate the animals' natural environments. I'm afraid that Grassmere, however, is not a zoo that creates elaborate or especially large habitats for their animals.
Don't get me wrong--it's clear that Grassmere is very good to the animals that call Nashville home. They just don't typically keep large numbers of specific animals, and their corresponding living spaces are, as a result, pretty small. The zoo also has a limited number of animals in general. While there are a handful of Giraffes, Elephants and other African animals, there aren't as many primates as you'd hope for.
The reptile house is pretty cool, and it offers a close look at some pretty crazy fish, insects and scaly creatures. On occasion, however, many of the other animals (such as the lynx and red pandas) are MIA with no explanation. The bird feeding area is sort of cool (but kind of a rip off), but there are plenty of cool activities for kids.
Zoos, as a general statement, are usually pretty expensive. Grassmere is certainly no exception, so I'd advise picking up lunch and hydrating yourself before you set out for a day of creature-gazing. There is now plenty of free parking and the staff is always friendly and informative. The fact of the matter is that Grassmere is one of the least impressive zoos I've ever visited...but what are you going to do? NOT go to the zoo? Don't be silly. -
Review from Heather R.
Nashville, TN
12/4/2008 5 photos
I know this place gets a bad rap at times because of it's small selection of animals for a pretty large admission fee. This only being my second zoo to ever visit, I don't have much to compare it too. I must admit I wish they would lower ticket prices, but I really do love to come and visit the animals. Plus I like to think that large admission fee goes in to help expand the zoo.
We're here at least three times a year, and we finally realized how great a day visit is in the fall. It's not hot and there aren't swarms of families either.
They have a pretty good assortment including giraffes, zebras, cougars, meerkats, and three African elephants, which are a trip to watch. One of the females entertained me for a good half hour during one visit just giving a log the beating of a lifetime, tossing and hitting it with her trunk.
The zoo is, for the most part, is nicely shaded. If you're heading up to the African portion of the zoo, there's really no way to escape the sun. If you frequent a lot, I'd say it would be worth your time to investigate how much a yearly membership would cost, because they place is pricey. -
Review from Charlie D.
Nashville, TN
3/31/2011 10 photos
I love Nashville Zoo! When traveling across the country, I always try to take in local zoos and for our city size and such a young zoo, we have one of the best in the country! And once you take in all the wonderful animal exhibits, take time to visit the historic Grassmere Farm, the second oldest house in Nashville that can be toured, plus we have the 1800's animals to go with it! And an authenic 1800's garden!
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Review from Liz D.
5/9/2011
I love this zoo! I take all my friends and family from out of town to this zoo- the highlights are the meerkats, giraffes, elephants and red pandas. The reptile room is great too. But mostly, I wanted to review the zoo as a conference center. We recently had a graduate school retreat at the zoo, where we did presentations in a conference room and had food catered from the zoo. As a conference center, the zoo is fun but not ideal. There was a great deal of noise in the presentation room because it was right above the reptile house. We could hear kids yelling and running around all morning. During the afternoon, however, the noise was less of a problem. The room is also small if you have more than 75 people in attendance. It was great to walk around the zoo during breaks. Also, the food was great. We had a bbq buffet of ribs, chicken, baked beans, chips and cookies with sides for burgers. There was a reception after the retreat at the Flamingo Lagoon, where we had wine with hummus, pita, fruit and vegetables. It was a fun, colorful set-up and it was great to be outside near the animals. The service was excellent and the girl who helped us set up the retreat was extremely helpful. For less formal situations with anticipated downtime, I would highly recommend the zoo as a place for retreats and conferences.
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Review from Amanda B.
Albion, IN
8/23/2010
I have visited this zoo a few times now. It's a great zoo for what it is. As mentioned in another review it is simply more of a nature walk than a zoo. The animal attractions almost seem few and far between when all is said and done. With that being said I still think it is a great place to visit. Lots of space for walking and enjoying the park and a great place to spend the day with kids.
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Review from Betty H.
Lake Oswego, OR
1/5/2010
Fantastic zoo. It is going to be amazing when they finish. Still at the current state of development it is a large zoo with a wide variety of animals and the exhibits are very well done. It is a fun place to take visitors to Nashville who have kids. AND there is a HUGE play area in the zoo that kids absolutely love!
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Review from kristen p.
Godley, TX
1/4/2008
The Nashville Zoo (although smaller than some zoo's) is a fun place to get outside, walk around, and hang out with friends even if you don't have children. If you do have kids (or are spending some time watching some) then even more reason to check it out. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting as they have an amazing playground. Unfortunately the zoo is not one of the most affordable places to go but at least they now let you park for free.
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Review from David B.
Evanston, IL
4/4/2010
Great place to take the kids! Our 3 and 5 year old loved meandering through the wide open trails. Highly recommend going later in the day. We had the place pretty much to ourselves after the school groups and early risers departed. Being from Chicago, where our zoo is free, its tough to pay, but ultimately worth it. The central playground for kids is amazing, though you lose your kids quick in the large space. We loved the Asian trail simply for the great bamboo.
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Review from Jonathan R.
Brentwood, TN
8/21/2010
Great zoo. Very pretty walk.
