Memphis Zoo — Attraction in Memphis

First off, I am a relative Zoo Pro. I have been to close to 10 zoos & aquariums in the last 2 years, and my wife and I are avid Zoo Enthusiast. Our trip to the Memphis Zoo was actually a pretty spur of the moment trip that included the Tennessee Safari Park as well.

The Memphis Zoo is definitely towards the top of my zoo list. The price is not crazy, there is plenty of parking, the food was good, and the Zoo itself is clean. Overall we enjoyed our trip. Even with the wearing of Mask (Something we have gotten used to) we were able to enjoy almost everything the zoo had to offer.

Pros: --The EXIBITS are wonderfully designed. Many Zoos do not think through how a good exabits should be designed. At the Memphis Zoo, almost all the newer exabits have multiple if not all the way around viewing to ensure that even if the animal is sleeping you will still be able to see it. --Theming was really great on the newer side of the Zoo. Each area is very well themed. At times it feels more like walking into a theme park area VS a Zoo. --Variety of Animals was great! Its not just a little zoo, they have a ton of different animals, including many you don't see everywhere. --Food Prices were actually very reasonable. A burger, fries and a drink for less than $10. That is something you do not see often! Not the best burger I have ever had, but still adequate. --Related to the good exabits, but another note is that this zoo is a photographers dream. With a good telephoto lens, you can just about capture every animal up close.

Cons: --Zoo layout is somewhat jumbled. We found ourselves back tracking a fair amount. Kind of wish there was a more clear "Path To See Everything". However we are still yet to go to a Zoo that this is done well. --The keeper talks were a little embarrassing. I assume this was B or C team over the weekend, but several did not know answered to questions, and others just ignored the people a together. Also, the couple that were "Feeding" times did not even have a Keeper Talk. They just threw food into the enclosures. --The additional cost for stingray touch pool is annoying. This should be included in the cost. No Zoo should ever have anything animal related that is additional cost once you enter the park. Especially given you could not even go see the stingrays without paying. --Some of the older enclosures were closed. Not sure if they were being refurbished, but the circle barn only had 2 animals in it. --The beer festival is annoying for normal folks that came to the zoo to see animals. I know all zoos are doing this these days for extra income, but for folks like me, its annoying to have to walk through groups of drunk college students that couldn't care less about animals and are looking for their next refill. --The gift shop was very small, and not stocked well. We always buy a stuffed animal from every trip we take, and we could not find anything at this shop we liked. We decided to order some offline instead. It kind of ruins the magic of getting one from the actual zoo.

Notes: --This zoo will take you over 2 hours at a fast pace walk. --I recommend going left on the trail as you enter as that seemed to require the less amount of back tracking. --Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking --Get there early! It really helps to get ahead of the crowds --Buy food! Its a decent price, so worth supporting the good prices.

Will add pictures to my review once I get them weeded down. Google reviews does not usually like my...

The Memphis Zoo is a delightful destination for families, animal lovers, and anyone looking to enjoy a day outdoors. Nestled in Overton Park, the zoo features a diverse array of animals and engaging exhibits, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.

One of the standout attractions at the Memphis Zoo has historically been the giant pandas. As of my last update, the pandas, particularly the beloved Ya Ya and Le Le, were a major draw, captivating visitors with their playful antics and adorable behavior. However, it's essential to check the zoo's current status regarding the pandas, as they have been on loan and may not always be present.

The zoo's layout is spacious and well-maintained, allowing for a pleasant stroll through different habitats. Each area is thoughtfully designed to mimic the animals' natural environments, which enhances the overall experience. From the Zambezi River Hippo Camp, where you can see hippos swimming and basking, to the Teton Trek, featuring grizzly bears and wolves, there’s a wide variety of wildlife to observe.

In addition to the animals, the Memphis Zoo offers numerous educational programs and interactive experiences. The daily animal encounters provide opportunities for guests to learn more about the animals and their conservation efforts. The zoo also participates in various breeding programs for endangered species, showcasing its commitment to wildlife preservation.

For families, the Memphis Zoo has plenty of amenities, including picnic areas, playgrounds, and food stands offering a range of snacks and meals. The atmosphere is family-friendly, making it a great spot for a full day of exploration and fun.

Special events, such as Zoo Lights during the holiday season, add an extra layer of excitement and make the zoo a year-round attraction. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to share interesting facts about the animals and the zoo’s initiatives.

Overall, the Memphis Zoo is a wonderful place to enjoy a day out while learning about wildlife and conservation. While the pandas have been a highlight in the past, the zoo offers a rich variety of exhibits and experiences that make it a worthwhile visit regardless. Be sure to check their website for the latest updates on animal residents and special events...

We loved our trip to this zoo. The first thing that immediately stands out before you even enter the zoo is how impressive the design and theming is with a gorgeous Egyptian themed entrance welcoming you to the zoo. The staff at the ticket windows were helpful and friendly which is always a great start. As for the zoo itself there are definitely "older" and "newer" sections of the zoo. The older section which includes the Tropical Bird House, Once Upon A Farm, Penguin Rock, Aquarium, Round Barn and Pelican Pool give a good nostalgic zoo feel but feel like they do not fit with the remainder and the zoo that is so impressive. The aquarium although smaller and older had a very impressive collection of species. The Cat Country, Primate Canyon and African Veldt were older exhibits that were well designed and still worked well with an impressive variety of animals. The Dragon's Lair exhibit is very impressive with 3 adult Komodo Dragons. I do wish they could improve the theming of that building to better fit a "Dragon's Lair", but the size and shape of their animals more than made up for it. The Herpetarium featured a huge variety of reptiles and amphibians including some of the most active and colorful animals I've ever seen. We really enjoyed the theming of the Animals of the Night exhibit with the great lighting to show off these unusual animals and loved the variety of animals, however there was such an overwhelming smell of urine in the building that you could barely enjoy it. The China, Zambezi Hippo Camp, Northwest Passage and Teton Trek exhibits were some of the finest I've ever seen in a zoo not just from the design and theming, but also for the variety of species and the all encompassing views you get of the enclosures from all different angles. The Cat House Cafe was a great place to eat and it was awesome to see the gibbons come right up to the glass beside your table as you ate. The food is a bit pricey, but still affordable compared to other zoos we've been to. We will definitely return to this zoo in the future and highly recommend it to others. They have a wide variety of animals, amazing geographically themed exhibits, most importantly (except for the one Panda on exhibit that looked sickly) all the animals looked amazingly...