by Lynn-Nore Chittom

Created on: August 04, 2009

Being a bit of a zoo fanatic, I have visited the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere a number of times since moving to Nashville in 2005. While it is nice to have a zoo nearby, the Nashville Zoo is simply not as impressive as zoos in many other similarly-sized cities.

My expectation for a zoo is that it will have a number of very interesting animals in well-designed habitats and at least one truly exceptional exhibit. The unique exhibit will either be designed better than other zoos, have more animals included than other zoos, or feature animals that are either endangered or not as common in North American zoos. Unfortunately, the Nashville Zoo does not have such a stand-out exhibit. It does not have any large bears, lions, gorillas, or large water mammals. These animals often are the focal point for spectacular exhibits at other zoos.

With that in mind, the Nashville Zoo is nicely arranged, and, when it's not too hot or cold outside, it makes for a nice walk with some fairly interesting animals along the way. The very large exhibit area stretches for over 180 acres and the zoo is still expanding.

Although there is not a singularly amazing spot, there are many nice exhibits and interesting habitats to view. One of the best is the Gibbon Island near the entrance to the zoo. This is always a favorite with the kids as monkeys are fun to watch and they are one of the first animals you see. In truth, the best thing about the exhibit is how close you are to these fascinating animals. Just beyond the gibbons, kids of all ages can enjoy a variety of viewing points around a meerkat exhibit. This is especially enjoyable for anyone who was taken by the Animal Channel's show Meerkat Manner.

The next hot-spot on the map of the zoo is the very large Unseen New World exhibit. This large indoor exhibit features an enormous selection of animal species ranging from spiders to turtles to lizards, fish and birds. While most of the animals are behind glass and very still, kids enjoy the adventure of moving from window to window where the exhibits are lit and the room is darkened.

The walking path of the zoo is a winding circle that leads out from the Unseen New World exhibit and returns to the same location. It is a good idea to take advantage of the restrooms before beginning this trail as there aren't any available along the path. Highlights of the walking path include the Bengal tiger exhibit, the herd of damara zebras, the giant anteaters, the porcupine and the clouded leopard.

After completing this part of the path, visitors should take time to follow the signs to the African safari area. It would be nice if this part of the zoo were better connected to the rest of the path and not so far out of reach, but if your legs and kids are still up to it, the elephants and giraffes are always a highlight at any zoo.

Before leaving the zoo, your kids might want to stop at the play area. Be warned that it is not supervised and it would be very easy to lose track of your kids if you are not careful. Take heed to keep a close eye as there are more entrances and exits to the play area than it may seem. With these cautionary words in mind, it is a truly amazing play ground, and if it weren't for the high cost of visiting any zoo, the playground alone just about makes the trip worthwhile. Do not be surprised if your kids remember the playground more than the animals.

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