Zoos

Zoo Knoxville

Name: Zoo Knoxville
Address: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914, Knoxville, TN, US
Telephone: (865) 637-5331
Rating: 4.5

★★★★☆ 4.5 (12444 reviews)

📍 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914

📞 (865) 637-5331

🌐 www.zooknoxville.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

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About Zoo Knoxville

Zookeepers give educational talks about animals & kids can go on mini-train & carousel rides. Zoo Knoxville offers interactive animal encounters including direct feeding experiences with Cuban Crocodiles, a rare hands-on opportunity not commonly found at most zoos. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 12,444 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Location: East Tennessee
Animals & Species: Over 1,500 animals representing 200 species
Notable Achievement: Red Panda Capital of the World with 110+ births
Best For: All ages with interactive animal encounters

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Zoo Knoxville offers interactive animal encounters including direct feeding experiences with Cuban Crocodiles, a rare hands-on opportunity not commonly found at most zoos
⭐Smoky Night Lights is a limited-time seasonal experience where visitors walk through illuminated zoo paths with live bluegrass music, fire pits, and specially curated food offerings in a dedicated barn venue
⭐The zoo features a specialized Joe the Sloth encounter as a dedicated interactive experience, suggesting a focused conservation or education program around this species
⭐Zoo Knoxville maintains dedicated daily Asian Trek educational chats, indicating a structured interpretation program focused on Asian wildlife species
⭐The zoo hosts World Tiger Day as a special event, suggesting participation in international conservation initiatives for endangered tiger populations

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan your visit route carefully to minimize backtracking - reviews note the zoo has limited flow and you may revisit areas. Consider picking a starting point (like the popular Red Pandas exhibit) and working through systematically.
🕐Visit during warmer months when animals are more active and visible outdoors. Winter visits result in many animals being inside enclosures where they're not viewable to guests.
💡Don't miss the Smoky Night Lights special event - reviewers describe it as a magical experience with live bluegrass music, fire pits, heated beverages, and gourmet food options that make it worth the cold.
💬Check social media before visiting for updates on which exhibits and facilities are open, as food stands and shops may have limited hours or be closed during certain seasons.
💡The Red Pandas are consistently highlighted as the best exhibit at the zoo - prioritize viewing them, especially if time is limited due to the zoo's smaller size.