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Daytime

Morning at the Zoo and a Quiet Park Stroll

Beat the crowds and the heat by starting early at the zoo, then winding down with a walk in a nearby park.

Best time: noneAbout 180 min

Timeline

  1. 09:00

    Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

    Arrive at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere right when it opens. The early hours are the best time to see the animals before the midday rush, and you can explore the aviary and carousel while the grounds are quiet.

  2. 11:00

    Paragon Mills Park

    Head to Paragon Mills Park for a late morning stroll. It is the closest green space to the zoo, just a short walk away. It is a calm place to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors after your zoo visit.

  3. 11:30

    Providence Park

    End your morning at Providence Park. Located slightly further east, it offers a pleasant final stop to relax and reflect on the morning before heading back.

Local tip

The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Check the specific opening hours for your visit date, as they shift between the April-October and November-March schedules.

Check before you go

  • Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is open from 9AM to 6PM (April-October) and 9AM to 4PM (November-March).
  • Paragon Mills Park and Providence Park are public parks with no specified opening hours, so they are accessible during daylight.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Nashville (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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