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
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
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
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
Sloth
$75 per person
45-minute tour, offered on Wednesdays and Sundays at 10:30 am
Meet a two-toed sloth
Includes a feeding opportunity
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
Red Panda* Seasonal Tour
$75 per person
30-minute tour, offered Wednesday & Saturday at 11:30 am
Go behind the scenes and meet a red panda up close
Includes a feeding opportunity
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
Tours are sold out through June. July tickets will become available on June 2nd at 10 am.
Mask required for any guests with symptoms of respiratory illness
Giant Anteater* Seasonal Tour
$60 per person
45-minute tour, offered Friday & Saturday at 2:30 pm
Go behind the scenes to meet our giant anteaters!
Includes a feeding opportunity
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
Mask required for any guests with symptoms of respiratory illness
Aardvark
$50 per person
30-minute tour, offered Saturday at 10:30 am
Visit one of our aardvarks
Includes a touching opportunity
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
Cassowary* Seasonal Tour
$40 per person
30-minute tour, offered Friday & Sunday at 11:30 am
Go behind the scenes and meet a cassowary up close
Includes a feeding opportunity
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible
Ages 6+ only; ages 6-15 must be accompanied by an adult - all adults and children must have a tour ticket
This tour is temporarily paused for renovations to the cassowary habitat.
Giant Tortoise* Seasonal Tour
$40 per person
30-minute tour, offered Wednesday-Sunday at 3:30 pm
Go behind the scenes and meet our giant tortoises up close
Includes a feeding opportunity
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible
All ages welcome; children under age 16 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
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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