Backstage Pass Tours
Presented by Chick-fil-A®
Travel backstage at the Zoo to learn about animal care, behavior and conservation! Backstage Pass gives you behind-the-scenes access to areas not available to the public. These special tours are filled with experiences and information you cannot get anywhere else.
Want to gift a tour but don't have a date? Email backstagepass@nashvillezoo.org for more details on how to purchase a gift certificate. Not available for seasonal tours.
Closed-toe shoes are encouraged for all tours.
Click Here for Know Before You Go Info »
- General admission is not included with your tour ticket. Non-members must purchase a general admission ticket in addition to the tour to participate.
- Each tour participant needs a ticket for the tour.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
- We require that there be a 1:1 child-to-adult ratio for groups attending Backstage Pass tours.
- No food or drink is allowed, except for water bottles with closed lids. Water bottles must remain closed and put away while visiting animal areas.
- All tours meet outside the Gift Shop in Entry Village 10 to 15 minutes before the tour, with the exception of Veterinary Center tours which meet at the Veterinary Center.
- No restrooms are available on the tour. There is a bathroom located near the meeting spot in Entry Village.
- There are no strollers permitted on the tours. You may store strollers at the Rentals building in Entry Village during the tour.
- Service animals are not permitted on these tours.
- No refunds or rainchecks. If you need to reschedule your tour, we require at least two days’ notice.
- Tours are rain or shine. However, in the case of extreme weather the Zoo may contact you to cancel your tour and issue a refund.
- Tours may change due to animal medical care.
- NEW: ASL interpreters can be provided with at least 3 business days of notice
Tour Options
Travel with your personal guide to visit behind-the-scenes areas and learn more about the animals that call the Zoo home.
General admission is not included with your tour ticket. Non-members must purchase a general admission ticket in addition to the tour to participate.
Rhino
$150 per person
60-minute tour, offered Saturday & Sunday at 9:30 am
Visit our rhino barn and meet a rhino up close!
Includes a touching opportunity
10 person tour capacity
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible
Ages 12+ only; ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
Giraffe
$75 per person
45-minute tour, offered Thursday-Sunday at 1:00 pm
Go behind the scenes to visit our giraffe
Includes a feeding opportunity
10 person tour capacity
Wheelchair accessible with advance notice prior to ticket purchasing — Email us
Ages 8+ only; ages 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
Okapi* Seasonal Tour
$75 per person
30-minute tour, offered Thursday & Sunday at 2:30 pm
Go behind the scenes and meet an okapi up close
Includes a feeding opportunity
5 person tour capacity
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible
Ages 8+ only; ages 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
This tour is temporarily unavailable.
Sloth
$75 per person
45-minute tour, offered on Saturday, Sunday & every third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am
Meet a two-toed sloth
Includes a feeding opportunity
10 person tour capacity
Wheelchair accessible with advance notice — Email us
Ages 8+ only; ages 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
Aardvark
$50 per person
30-minute tour, offered Saturday at 3:00 pm
Visit one of our aardvarks
Includes a touching opportunity
10 person tour capacity
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible
Ages 8+ only; ages 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
Veterinary Center
$40 per person
45-minute tour, by appointment only
Meet at the sign at the front of the veterinary center
15 person tour capacity
Wheelchair accessible
All ages welcome
By appointment only with a minimum of 3 days' notice to book. Email backstagepass@nashvillezoo.org to schedule.
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