Kids on the Go – Nashville Zoo, Nashville, TN

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a 200 acre park located on the south side of Nashville.  Founded in 1990, the Zoo boasts natural habitat exhibits and conservation efforts.

While you are there, check out the various animal shows and hourly keeper talks, where you can get up close and personal with the animals.  To spark interest in the animals, kids can feed lorikeets, ride a safari-themed carousel or child-sized train, or pet the goats and camels in the Children’s Zoo.  See the full schedule here.

If you wish to incorporate history in with your visit, head to the historical home on the grounds – the Croft house — built in 1810 and the second oldest home open to the public in Nashville, TN.  When it was donated, the stipulation specifically detailed that the land it was on could only be used as a “nature study center,” and thus, the zoo was built around this lovely home.

The Nashville Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of the animals with a species survival plan (SSP) for those animals on the threatened or endangered animal list.  They currently have 18 animals in their SSP, including white-cheeked gibbons, clouded leopards, giant anteaters, Masai giraffes, red pandas, and red river hogs.  They also have made conservation efforts for tapirs, hellbenders, the Puero Rican Crested Toad, the Giant Haitian Galliwasp, Nashville Crayfish, as well as others.

Favorite attractions include the giraffe and elephant habitat, the meerkat habitat, and our personal favorite — the new flamingo cove.

The Nashville Zoo also touts various seasonal exhibits, including a Halloween themed party, Easter Egg Hunt, and currently, a dinosaur exhibit.  Many of these exhibits do cost an additional charge, so please check with the Zoo prior to the event for additional information.

The Zoo is centrally located off of Interstates I-440, I-24 and I-65. To get specific directions from your location, please click here.  It is open daily 9am – 6pm. Admission is $10 for children 2-12 and $15 adults, with $5 parking fee per vehicle.The Nashville Zoo also has a reciprocal agreement with members of AZA zoos. You can see that list here.

The Zoo is waiting for you… what do you want to check out first?

Leann is a homeschooling mama to one, proud wife of a cop, and pet lover of their two dogs and frogs. Her personal blog, Montessori Tidbits, chronicles their homeschooling journey with an overactive 5 year old, while throwing in tidbits about life, reviews, and recipes.  You can read more about their adventures on FB, twitter, G+, and pinterest.

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