The Memphis Zoo is the easy answer to what to do with children in Memphis, and it holds its own for adults too. It sits in Overton Park in Midtown and keeps more than 4,500 animals, arranged in themed areas such as Teton Trek and Northwest Passage, with a Cat Country area for the big cats. The zoo says it is open 362 days a year, with gates opening at 9:00 a.m., last entry at 5:00 p.m. and gates closing at 5:30 p.m. What makes a visit fun is the schedule of keeper talks and feedings. Posted sessions have included a sea lion show, a tropical bird feeding, a penguin feeding and keeper chats on hippos, reptiles, giraffes, gorillas, big cats, rhinos, polar bears, elephants and the aquarium, though the times change, so check the schedule on the day. Extras are cheap by zoo standards: the farm train and carousel cost a couple of dollars and children’s rides a dollar, and a guided tram tour is an all-day pass for a few dollars. The zoo works hard on access. It has partnered with KultureCity to offer a free app that shows sensory features and a Social Story preview of the visit, and it rents wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, strollers and electric scooters near the entrance. Bring photo ID for wheelchair rental, and note that tripods and professional audio gear are not allowed.
How to visit
Buy tickets online for the quickest entry, or at the gate. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, and groups of 20 or more must buy general admission online. General admission prices are not shown on the information page, so check the zoo’s site for current rates and parking.
What to expect
Expect a day of walking with lots of shade breaks and snack stops. Rides, the farm train and the carousel run from the morning in the warmer season and pause from November through February, so winter visits are mostly about the animals. Seasonal events change through the year; an evening Lantern Festival, for instance, brings evening tram tours. Weather matters, as many animals are outdoors and some are less active in extreme heat or cold.
Making the most of it
Arrive at opening, head first to the exhibits you most want, and time your visit around the keeper talk you care about. Reserve the afternoon for the carousel and train if you have toddlers. Combine it with a walk through Overton Park or a stop at the nearby Metal Museum to turn the day into a Midtown outing.
What to expect
The experience
A large city zoo with themed areas, daily keeper talks and feedings, a sea lion show and optional rides and tram tour.
Best time
At opening on a mild day, with the keeper talks you want planned in advance.
How long
Four to six hours for most families.
Tips
Buy tickets online, check the day’s talk schedule and note that rides pause from November through February.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children, animal lovers and anyone needing a break from music history.
- Families
- The best family day in Memphis, with rides, talks and sensory-friendly support.
- Couples
- A relaxed day out for animal fans, with good photo opportunities.
- Pair with
- A walk through Overton Park or the Metal Museum.
- Time needed
- Half a day to most of a day.
Good questions
What are the Memphis Zoo opening hours?+
The zoo says gates open at 9:00 a.m., last entry is at 5:00 p.m. and gates close at 5:30 p.m. It reports being open 362 days a year, so check the zoo’s site for winter hours.
Does the zoo have rides?+
Yes, a farm train, carousel and children’s rides run from the morning in the warmer season, and are closed from November through February.
Is the Memphis Zoo accessible?+
Yes, it rents wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, strollers and scooters, and has a KultureCity sensory-inclusive program with a free app.
Can I bring a professional camera?+
DSLR cameras are allowed. Tripods, bipods and professional audio equipment are not.
Where is the zoo?+
It is in Overton Park in Midtown Memphis, a short drive from downtown.
