ZOOS & ANIMAL PARKS TENNESSEE

Creekside Petting Zoo is a family-friendly farm and petting zoo located in Polk County, Florida, offering a warm, hands-on experience with a variety of friendly farm animals. Guests can interact with and pet an assortment of animals including goats, guinea pigs, emus, cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and more in a welcoming outdoor setting. The zoo emphasizes close connections between visitors and animals, with knowledgeable and friendly hosts on hand to guide the experience. Children especially enjoy collecting eggs from the chickens, adding an engaging element of farm life to the visit. With its approachable atmosphere and diverse animal lineup, Creekside Petting Zoo is a beloved destination for local families, school groups, and anyone seeking a gentle, memorable encounter with farm animals in central Florida.

Southland Safari is a guided wildlife park located in Yuma, Tennessee, conveniently situated near Interstate 40 and within reach of both Memphis and Nashville. The park features animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia, including giraffes, sloths, kangaroos, and fennec foxes, and offers guided safari tours by vehicle, hands-on animal encounters, VIP private jeep tours, and overnight cabin rentals on the property. Educational field trips and corporate events are also available, making Southland Safari a distinctive alternative to traditional zoos and a memorable destination for family adventures and special occasions.

Christopher's Overlook is a sustainable educational agritourism farm located in Clinton, Tennessee, offering a warm and welcoming experience for families, schools, and community groups. Visitors are invited to meet the farm's charming resident animals, including miniature goats and pigs, and explore the property's crop fields, gaining first-hand appreciation for agricultural life and animal care. The farm hosts a variety of experiences including private picnics, birthday parties, business and social events, school assemblies, senior home visits, family reunions, and community markets and festivals. A highlight is Tom Hanks the goat, who is available for off-farm visits and delights guests of all ages at special events. Operating by appointment, Christopher's Overlook provides a personalized, hands-on connection with farm animals and sustainable agriculture in the scenic Tennessee Valley foothills near Clinton.

Briarwood Ranch Safari Park is an immersive drive-through wildlife destination located in Morristown, Tennessee, in Cocke County, inviting guests to experience animals from six continents across a scenic four-mile route through rolling hills and beautiful pasture lands. Visitors enjoy the safari from the comfort of their own vehicle, with the opportunity to observe animals in spacious, naturalistic settings. For those seeking a different perspective, tractor-pulled wagon rides are available by appointment, and a petting zoo allows for closer animal interaction. The park is open most days of the week and offers family and season passes, making it an accessible and memorable wildlife adventure in the heart of East Tennessee.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a celebrated nonprofit aquarium in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, featuring two connected buildings dedicated to freshwater and ocean ecosystems. The River Journey building traces the course of a Tennessee river from mountain streams to the Gulf, showcasing river otters, sturgeon, paddlefish, and diverse aquatic species, while the Ocean Journey building explores tropical and saltwater environments including a coral reef gallery and the newly opened Scuttlebutt Reef exhibit. The aquarium's Conservation Institute conducts active ecological research and restoration programs, including sturgeon reintroduction and protection of critically endangered species such as the Laurel Dace. Families can enjoy IMAX films, interactive touch tanks, behind-the-scenes Deeper Dives tours, overnight Sleep in the Deep programs, and seasonal special events, making it a year-round destination for visitors of all ages.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a renowned freshwater and marine aquarium located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. Opened in 1992 and expanded in 2005, it is home to more than 12,000 animals representing nearly 800 species across two buildings. The River Journey building traces a raindrop's path from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, featuring one of the largest freshwater exhibits in the world, with river giants such as arapaima, alligator gar, and American paddlefish. The Rivers of the World gallery showcases species from the Amazon, Congo, and Fly Rivers. The Ocean Journey building opens into coastal and marine ecosystems, with the Secret Reef as its centerpiece, a vast habitat housing sand tiger sharks, bonnethead sharks, and green sea turtles. The Tennessee Aquarium is celebrated for its conservation education, research partnerships, and its striking riverside setting in the heart of Chattanooga.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is consistently ranked as one of the top attractions in the Smoky Mountains region, housing more than 10,000 sea creatures representing over 350 species. The aquarium's centerpiece is a dramatic 340-foot underwater tunnel through which visitors walk while sharks, giant stingrays, and sea turtles glide overhead. Major exhibits include Shark Lagoon, the Penguin Playhouse, Touch a Ray Bay, a Tropical Rainforest, a Coral Reef gallery, and the all-new Dragons: Myths Made Real exhibit. Signature experiences include a glass-bottom boat ride over Shark Lagoon, Penguin Encounter meet-and-greets, and overnight adventures such as Sleeping With the Sharks. Daily dive and feeding shows, a penguin parade, and interactive hourly programming make Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies an immersive, entertaining destination for the whole family visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tennessee Safari Park is a beloved drive-through and walk-through wildlife destination covering 7.5 miles of road and 20 acres of exhibits in rural Alamo, Tennessee. Founded on a century-old family farm, the park hosts animals from every continent except Antarctica, including giraffes, sloths, pygmy goats, squirrel monkeys, and South American species featured in a dedicated sloth barn. Visitors hand-feed exotic wildlife directly from their vehicles during the sprawling drive-through safari, then explore walk-through areas featuring a petting zoo, parakeet encounters, and seasonal gem mining. The park is committed to cultivating conservational awareness through educational activities and immersive environments that bring families closer to the natural world. Admission is priced accessibly for families, and the setting on working Tennessee farmland gives the experience an authentic, down-to-earth character.

Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo is a 140-acre family attraction in Sevierville, Tennessee, offering immersive wildlife encounters in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests can hand-feed and interact with a diverse range of animals including white-tailed deer, camels, zebras, elk, emus, ostriches, goats, and miniature horses in a walk-through petting zoo setting. The farm also offers guided horseback trail rides with scenic Smoky Mountain views, suitable for all skill levels including young children who may ride with an adult, as well as pony rides for the youngest visitors. With over 36 years of welcoming families, the Deer Farm combines wildlife interaction with equestrian adventure for a memorable East Tennessee experience.

Zoo Knoxville is a zoological park located at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is home to over 1,500 animals representing more than 200 species. The zoo is especially renowned for its red panda program, having achieved over 110 births, and also features Malayan tigers, African lions, gorillas, gibbons, river otters, Cuban crocodiles, and an impressive variety of other wildlife. Notable guest experiences include tiger temple encounters and crocodile feeding demonstrations. As an AZA-accredited institution, Zoo Knoxville participates in multiple Species Survival Plans and active conservation research programs for red pandas, gibbons, tigers, and otters. Throughout the year the zoo hosts seasonal events such as Smoky Night Lights, summer concerts, birthday parties, and educational zoo camps, making it a vibrant destination for East Tennessee families.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is an AZA-accredited zoological park located in Nashville, Tennessee, offering a rich blend of wildlife encounters, conservation programming, and family entertainment. The zoo is home to a diverse array of animals including clouded leopards, giraffes, meerkats, komodo dragons, and giant anteaters, as well as a popular DinoTrek attraction featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Guests can enjoy backstage keeper tours, giraffe feeding experiences, keeper chats, and seasonal events such as Summer Splash. Nashville Zoo is a dedicated nonprofit committed to saving endangered species worldwide, with active programs focused on clouded leopard conservation and other threatened wildlife. Camps, school field trips, and community outreach programs extend the zoo's educational mission to all ages year-round.

Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue is a nonprofit exotic animal sanctuary and the Official Zoo of Anderson County, located in Clinton, Tennessee. Founded by James Cox, the facility rescues exotic animals from across the United States, providing them with permanent sanctuary. Since 2019, it has also operated as a certified wildlife rehabilitation center, treating native Tennessee species including raccoons, opossums, rabbits, and birds with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Visitors can enjoy general admission, behind-the-scenes experiences, birthday parties, and petting zoo interactions. Educational field trips and community events such as Wine for Wolves further connect the public with conservation efforts. The zoo's family-friendly atmosphere and hands-on approach make it a welcoming destination in East Tennessee.

Party Animals Petting Zoo is a mobile petting zoo and animal entertainment service serving Warren County and surrounding areas in the United States. The company brings a curated collection of friendly farm and exotic animals directly to events such as birthday parties, school programs, festivals, and community gatherings. Guests of all ages can enjoy up-close encounters with animals including goats, sheep, rabbits, and other barnyard favorites. Designed to offer an educational and entertaining experience, Party Animals Petting Zoo creates memorable wildlife encounters wherever they travel, making it a convenient and popular choice for hosts looking to add a unique animal element to their events.

The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park is a compact yet remarkable 13-acre zoological park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, home to over 500 animals representing more than 200 species, many of which are endangered. The zoo is perhaps best known for its Himalayan Passage exhibit, which boasts the largest indoor red panda habitat in the world, as well as the Corcovado Jungle featuring jaguars, spider monkeys, macaws, capybaras, and kinkajous from Latin America, and Walkin' the Tracks showcasing North American wildlife including bobcats and prairie dogs. Accredited by the AZA since 1998, the zoo actively supports conservation through the Species Survival Plan and conducts important field research on Hellbenders, the largest salamander in the United States, through its on-site Hiwassee Hellbender Research and Education Facility. The Chattanooga Zoo is an inspiring wildlife destination for families and conservation advocates throughout the Tennessee Valley.

RainForest Adventures Zoo is a remarkable wildlife attraction in Sevierville, Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains, home to over 600 live animals representing more than 130 species. The zoo specializes in reptiles, amphibians, birds, and exotic mammals, featuring over 15 species of snakes, crocodilians, lizards, turtles, capuchin monkeys, lemurs, genets, coatis, and cavies. A standout highlight is the 17,000-square-foot Aussie Walkabout section, added in 2008, where guests walk among free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies and explore a walk-through bird aviary. The axolotl exhibit is also a favorite, showcasing these unique amphibians capable of regenerating lost body parts. With a strong focus on conservation and environmental education, RainForest Adventures Zoo is an inspiring and entertaining destination for families visiting the Smokies.

Memphis Zoo is a world-class zoological institution located in Overton Park in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 1906 and home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species. The zoo features a wide array of notable exhibits including the African Veldt with giraffes, rhinos, and elephants; the Northwest Passage sea lion complex with underwater viewing and a 500-seat amphitheater; Teton Trek with grizzly bears, elk, and timber wolves; and the Herpetarium housing snakes, alligators, lizards, and frogs. A China exhibit showcases Sulawesi macaques, francois langurs, and Asian wildlife. Memphis Zoo is actively engaged in conservation efforts including gorilla preservation programs through partnerships with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Limbe Wildlife Centre, offering visitors daily keeper chats, animal feedings, and inspiring educational programming.

Brights Zoo is a family-owned wildlife attraction nestled in the hills of East Tennessee near Limestone, showcasing both rare endangered species and exotic animals from around the world. The collection includes addax, bongo, scimitar-horned oryx, Bactrian camels, red kangaroos, spider monkeys, zebras, and penguins. Visitors can enjoy gem mining, penguin encounters, a zoo express train ride, and sandbox play areas. Educational programs encompass field trips, day camps, and keeper videos, while special events, birthday parties, and corporate functions round out the venue's offerings. The zoo is open seven days a week and emphasizes conservation through its focus on endangered species. Its blend of rare wildlife, interactive experiences, and scenic surroundings makes it a popular destination for families seeking educational recreation in the region.