Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is the kind of zoo that families come back to over and over because kids never seem to outgrow it. Spread across 188 acres in southeast Nashville, it manages to feel both manageable for little legs and expansive enough to fill a full day.

The layout is smart for families. The main loop takes you past the big-draw animals — giraffes, elephants, red pandas, clouded leopards, and the African savanna section — without requiring a ton of backtracking. The paths are wide, mostly paved, and stroller-friendly, though there are some hills that will give you a workout.

Wagons are available to rent at the entrance, and honestly, they are the move. Kids can ride in them between exhibits, and you avoid the stroller-stuck-in-gravel problem.

The giraffe feeding experience is the single thing every family should prioritize. For a few dollars, you get a cup of lettuce and your kid gets to stand on an elevated platform at giraffe eye level while a 16-foot animal gently takes food from their hand. The look on a 3-year-old's face during this moment is worth the entire admission price.

Get there early — they sell a limited number of cups and run out well before closing.

The Jungle Gym deserves special mention because it is not your average zoo playground. It is a 66,000-square-foot wooden adventure playground with towers, slides, bridges, and climbing structures. Kids lose track of time here, so build at least 45 minutes into your schedule.

The downside is limited shade — on a July afternoon in Nashville, it becomes an oven. Plan your playground time for first thing in the morning or the last hour before closing.

For younger kids, the Grassmere Historic Farm at the back of the zoo property is a hidden gem. Most visitors skip it because it requires walking past the main exhibits, but it has goats, chickens, and heritage farm animals that toddlers can get close to. The historic farmhouse is also interesting for older kids who are studying Tennessee history.

Seasonal events are a big deal here. Boo at the Zoo in October is one of Nashville's most popular family Halloween events — buy tickets well in advance because nights sell out. The holiday lights event in winter transforms the zoo into a walkable light display.

Practical advice: the parking lot fills up fast on weekend mornings, especially in spring and fall. Arrive before opening or expect to park in the overflow lot and take a longer walk. Food inside the zoo is standard zoo fare — overpriced but adequate.

You can bring your own snacks and water, which is smart given Nashville summers. There are nursing rooms and changing stations in multiple restroom buildings throughout the zoo.