Everything You Need to Know About Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo houses more than 3,500 animals across over 500 species. Located in Overton Park, Midtown Memphis, it draws over one million visitors annually and ranks as the top tourist attraction in Memphis and the sixth largest in Tennessee.

Memphis Zoo's Main Attractions

Miniature Railroad

The miniature railroad takes visitors on a scenic ride through Once Upon a Farm, an exhibit built to resemble an early 20th-century Southern farm.

Animals here include Caspian horses, domestic goats and chickens, miniature cows and donkeys, prairie dogs, Pekin ducks, and Babydoll sheep. A vegetable patch, a cotton patch, and rows of cotton add authenticity to the early 1900s Southern farm aesthetic during the growing season.

Strap in, glide peacefully through the exhibit and be transported back in time.

Northwest Passage

A thematic tribute to the First Nations culture of British Columbia, the Northwest Passage displays native animals and horticulture. This $23 million-dollar exhibit houses Memphis Zoo’s polar bears, an underwater viewing building, a sea lion observation bubble, and a 500-seat amphitheatre for daily sea lion shows.

Native American culture features prominently. Conservation messages inspired by Chief Seattle are displayed, alongside six hand-carved totem poles that received a traditional Native American blessing ceremony upon arrival.

Teton Trek

You don’t need to trek to Yellowstone National Park. You can find it here at Memphis Zoo. Marvel at the 25-foot replica of the Old Faithful Geyser at the entrance of Teton Trek and gaze down the 25-foot replica of Yellowstone’s Firehole Falls.

Teton Trek houses keystone species found within Yellowstone National Park, including grizzly bears, elk, timberwolves, river otters, and sandhill cranes. There is no need to travel to Wyoming, Idaho, or Montana to soak in the sights of the famous national park. You can find its best features here in Memphis Zoo.

Memphis Zoo's Famous Animals

Giant Pandas

Say hello to ‘Le Le’ and ‘Ya Ya’, Memphis Zoo’s resident giant pandas. The giant panda is a global symbol of animal conservation. A species that once roamed several regions of China, pandas have been pushed into mountainous regions, threatening their survival.

Memphis Zoo is one of four US zoos housing giant pandas and has made strides in panda reproduction studies, including predicting the due date of a pregnant panda with accuracy.

African Lions

Bow down to the kings of the zoo in the Cat Country exhibit. Witness sisters Akeelah and Jamela interact with their mate, Thabo, and watch them behave with inborn grace and regality.

African lions have been a jewel in Memphis Zoo’s crown since the first lions arrived in 1906. That same year, the beloved Dwyer, a Barnum & Bailey Circus lion, joined the Memphis Zoo family.

Sea Lions

Watch these clever aquatic animals bounce balls, play tricks, and even paint at Memphis Zoo. Say hello to resident sea lion babies Remy, Catalina, and Buttercup, who live within the Northwest Passage exhibit alongside Teva and her parents, Callie and Andre.

Andre is an incredibly special animal. A Hurricane Katrina victim, he was washed into a bayou when the hurricane hit. Stranded in the swamp for two weeks without food or water, a local fisherman found him and informed his keepers. He has been in the care of Memphis Zoo ever since.

Memphis Zoo Dining Options

Cat House Café

You don’t need to choose from one type of cuisine at the Cat House Café. Offering three menus of pizzas, deli subs, or grilled food including burgers, catfish sandwiches, chicken fritters, and hot dogs, visitors can eat to their heart’s content. The Cat House Café is a family-friendly restaurant with a wide variety of kids menus and healthy options.

Carts and Kiosks

You may feel like you’re at the fairground rather than the zoo when you spot the carts and kiosks dotted around. Offering ICEEs, popcorn, cold drinks, ice cream, and Dippin Dots, they are perfect for a quick bite during your day.

How to Get To Memphis Zoo

The Zoo is nestled within Overton Park, Midtown Memphis. If using a GPS, find the zoo at 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112. MATA Bus Services offers direct routes with Bus 50 running along the Poplar line and Bus 53 along the Summer line.

Memphis Zoo Opening Hours

During summer (March 3 – October 14), the zoo operates from 9am to 6pm. In winter (October 15 – March 2), hours are 9am to 5pm. Last admission is one hour prior to closing. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. However, it opens on Thanksgiving Night and Christmas Night at 5:30pm for SanTrust Zoo Lights.

Memphis Zoo Tickets and Packages

General admission ticket prices vary; check the zoo's official website for current rates. Groups of 20 or more may be eligible for a discount. US military personnel may be eligible for discounted general admission tickets.

Hotel(s) Near Memphis Zoo

The Peabody Hotel

Known as the ‘South’s Grand Hotel’, the esteemed and luxurious Peabody Hotel is a stylish and sophisticated four-star haven in Downtown Memphis. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Peabody is renowned for its charm, elegance, and high-quality hospitality.

The Peabody Hotel may offer packages that include passes to Memphis Zoo.

Tourist Attractions Near Memphis Zoo

Graceland Mansion

Visit the world-famous past residence of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Once home to Elvis Presley, Graceland now stands as a tribute and museum to the Pelvis himself. Wander the halls and walk through the gardens of the residence the King called home. Graceland offers a glimpse into the private life of Elvis, with personal items of the Presley estate and exhibits of his family on display.

National Civil Rights Museum

Catch a glimpse of the nation’s history at the National Civil Rights Museum. Built around the former Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, the museum uses interactive exhibits to trace the growth of a movement that changed the nation forever.

For those planning a staycation with a family, Memphis Zoo’s exhibits and nearby attractions offer a full day of exploration. If you are traveling with a baby in family travel, the zoo’s accessible paths and family-friendly dining at Cat House Café make for an easy outing. Those looking to plan a family road trip can combine a visit here with stops at Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum. For more animal-focused adventures, see our everything you need to know about Toledo Zoo and everything you need to know about San Francisco guides.