Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Reviews 3

TW

Twelve Tone Films

My whole family had a great day at the Nashville Zoo yesterday! I dont understand some of the 1 and 2 star reviews - they almost turned me off from seeing it for myself. The cost was higher than Id originally expect, but its not outrageous, and it seems necessary when you realize all the amount of care that goes into maintaining the beautiful surroundings and the animals themselves. We signed up for the "Giraffes Backstage Tour". Here we got to see the giraffe barn where they live when theyre not on exhibit, and how the zookeepers care for these magnificent creatures. We got to feed their largest giraffe, an amazing ~18 Massai giraffe named "Congo". It was an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Above all, it helps you understand a lot more about what it takes to properly care for every animal in their zoo. The cost for admission and parking to subsidize this now seems very reasonable. I read in a review that there werent enough animals, and there was too much walking. I cant understand that thinking. There are no cages that you take 15 feet to walk to in order to get to the next. The animals all have their own natural wooded areas, with lakes and beautiful surroundings, and before you know it, youre at another exhibit. Its really laid out beautifully and practically. Many reviewers said it would take 2-3 hours to see it all. Maybe if they were jogging through the zoo without stopping to look. We got there at 9:00 and stayed til 5:00. We saw everything except the petting zoo, and didnt stop in the play area. So, really.... there is a lot to see there. Plan on spending an entire day, and walking leisurely through each exhibit. There are picnic areas, and I was planning on bringing a lunch for all of us, but Im glad I didnt -- the indoor cafe was welcoming, air-conditioned (much appreciated after most of the day outdoors) and the food was delicious, healthy and just slightly more expensive than going to a fast-food restaurant would be. We had chicken wrap sandwiches, fried green tomatoes with garlic aioli sauce, and a delicious southwestern chicken taco salad. Our favorite exhibits were the giraffes, zebras, meerkats, and the "Unseen New World". One of my children loved the Tapirs, and they sure were fun to watch as they hobbled along to their water hole and then went for a swim. We actually enjoyed all of the exhibits, with the exception of the tigers -- they were far away, but for good reason, Im sure. And as most cats do, especially in the heat, they were happily dozing the entire time. If coming specifically to see a white or bengal tiger, check with the zoo for feeding times when you can catch them when theyre more active. I highly recommend the backstage pass" tours, and if not a member yet, check the cost of membership vs. paying full price. For our family, we were able to buy a family annual membership, get the backstage pass tour, and free parking for $200. We can visit as often as we want for an entire year, and we saved 10% on every food and beverage purchase. We also saved 10% in the gift shop with the membership (and what a nice gift shop it was!) The only negative I can voice, and it is a small one, is that the animal shows start on time. When its nearly 100 degrees and youre waiting for the audience to fill up for a show, its a little annoying. Just start on time, and if some of the audience misses some of the show, thats their fault. 5 stars out of 5, and highly recommended. Thanks, Nashville Zoo for a fantastic day!

TI

tiffany walsh

As a Nashville mom of a 3 yr old boy, we are zoo members and love going often. Lets be honest, its really a Godsend to me as a mom. I know people have written they are disappointed the zoo is under construction, so sorry. I know it is frustrating. Ive been there before at thw San Diego zoo, La Zoo and many other zoos across the nation. But they are working hard to make it a even more beautiful place and improve the living areas of the WILD animals. They need more space, so the zoo is trying to do that. So, yes, while exihibits are under construction, the said animals are not there...because there is not exhibit enclosure. So be glad they arent roaming. I must point out, the zoo website has "construction update" on the FRONT PAGE. And why people are complaining about not seeing bears and lions...the bears arent here yet because their exhibit is being BUILT. Lions & hippos, we dont have them, thats why you are sad you missed them. Yes, the elephants are safetly waiting at a sanctuary until their exhibit update is completed. Again, all the animals at the zoo are listes on the website...no lions or hippos. So, let it be know negative review people ARENT doing their homework before visiting. But lets look at the great stuff and talk about how you can walk a path and pet a freakin kangaroo. PET A KANGAROO, PEOPLE! so soft. Or you can practically touch (or maybe really, shhh) a flamingo. Or enjoy seeing a red panda or clouded leopard. Or listen to the monkeys howl in the middle of the park. Or go to the petting zoo. Or see a million reptiles in an air conditioned area. Or attend many educational talks. Enjoy food from one of the top chefs in Nashville. Play at the playground (swiss family robinson style). Or ride the carosuel or feed a bird.Or how about a tour of the historical plantation house and stroll in the gardens and snoop around the barn with the cows and sheep. I bet you didnt know the zoo used to be located elsewhere before this land was donated by the last 2 sisters of the family. Yup, plantation turned zoo. Pretty cool. So, yes, there is construction and yes, youll have to pay full price to get in...cause thats kinda how they pay their bills, employees and build new exhibits. Its what happens when non profits improve and expand in order to make our experiences better. Have some forgiveness and appreciation for their hard work? So, thank YOU tourists and visitors for supporting our Nashville community and for helping a lot of people keep their jobs - which is the care for hundreds of WILD ANIMALS. Thats hard, tiring, and EXPENSIVE. So, you may not have seen the tigers, as their exhibit is being massively improved right now, but you DID help pay to feed a PUMA(cougar)...the other big cat thats not the tiger or imagined lion. Please come back and see to completed upgrades!!!

KI

Kim Shafer

My zoo review The animals are in enclosures that are too small for them. There were five giraffes in an enclosure that seemed to be maybe 2-3 Acres. Giraffes are meant to be tree foraging animals not foraging for meals on the ground . The tree foilage was out of reach for the giraffes to eat. This enclosure for the giraffes was entirely too small. The rhino enclosure was empty, and depending on how many rhino there are supposed to be, this would probably be too small as well. The Gibbons enclosure what stressful for the primates. You could hear them howling and communicating with each other in stressed tones.. We did go to the lorikeets feeding area... The Personnel in there were very disrespectful, not only to the visitors but to the animals. In the Unseen World, my 7 yr old constantly asked if the animals were fake or dead..There is an alligator snapping turtle in an enclosure so small it cant move. There are small bats in an exhibit where they are unable to fly...So very sad for these animals to be in cramped spaces. An anaconda in a small pool/water puddle ..It couldnt even move. Snakes in enclosures where they cant move. Fish in aquarium areas where theyre unable to swim freely. I dont believe it is educational, but seemed more like a circus side show event. Please, animals dont deserve to be in boxes, cages, or confined spaces....Our children can learn about animals, habitats and saving and preserving animal species in many other ways...This zoo is not one of them. I honestly cannot find one positive thing about this is Zoo. Its a shame the money of the members is not put towards more training and education of the public on the decline of animal species... Nature can survive without humans, but humans can not survive without nature ~~Kimberly Swecker

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