General Membership Questions
Who can I include on my membership?
One adult must be named on all memberships.
Depending on the level, you can:
- Name a second adult
- Add unnamed guests
- Eligible children of the Primary Adult
Eligible children are: the children or grandchildren, under age 21, of the Primary Named Adult. Children under age 2 are always admitted free. All memberships except Single and Dual automatically include the eligible children.
Who counts as a guest?
Can my child visit without me?
The eligible child/grandchild* should bring:
- Membership card (or a copy of the front and back of card)
- An ID for the Primary Named Adult on the card (for example, a copy of a listed adult’s driver license)
Remember, the person accompanying your child will need to pay applicable admission fees, unless your card has a Guest listed on the back of the card.
TIP: Email or text an image of both sides of the membership card and your ID to the person bringing your child.
*the child or grandchild, under age 21, of the Primary Named Member
How do I get my membership card?
We print membership cards onsite. Stop by the Membership Building at your convenience to have your card(s) printed.
How do I find my membership number?
Please note: If you were given a membership as a gift, you must redeem the gift certificate first. Contact us at membership@nashvillezoo.org for assistance.
Are memberships tax deductible?
No, memberships are not tax deductible since the value of the tangible benefits (Zoo visits and parking) exceed the fee.
Membership Discounts
Please note: Only one discount may be used per purchase. Discounts may not be used on gift orders.
Can I apply recent Zoo admission to the cost of a membership?
Yes! Admission credit applies to only those who would be covered by the membership chosen. Limited to one receipt. Offer available onsite at the Membership Building or by emailing membership@nashvillezoo.org. Not applicable on gift voucher purchases.
Educator, Military and Senior Discounts
A $20 membership discount is available for educators, military and seniors (65+). Please email membership@nashvillezoo.org for details.
Restrictions: One discount may be used per purchase. Discounts may not be used on gift orders.
SNAP, WIC and TANF Participant Discount
SNAP, WIC and TANF participants can now get a $100 discount off the regular Household-level Zoo membership (new or renewal memberships only). Household memberships include two adults and the eligible children of the PRIMARY NAMED ADULT. Learn more about the perks of membership here.
Qualifying programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Women, Infants, Children (WIC); Families First/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). If your card doesn’t have your name or signature, you will be asked to show the app.
How to purchase:
- Visit the Membership Building onsite with your ID and signed SNAP/WIC/EBT/TANF card.
Restrictions:
- The purchaser's name must be the same as the person named on the qualifying program documentation and ID presented.
- The PRIMARY NAMED ADULT on the membership must match the head of household name on the qualifying program documentation and ID.
- Cannot be combined with any other offers. Not valid on gift memberships.
- Unlimited Ride Pass may be added to the membership, but it is not discounted.
Generously supported by:
Foster Family Discount
Foster families can now get a $100 discount off the regular Household-level Zoo membership (new or renewal memberships only). Household memberships include two adults and the eligible children of the PRIMARY NAMED ADULT. Learn more about the perks of membership here.
How to purchase:
- Visit the Membership Building onsite with your ID and Tennessee Kids Belong/Foster Friendly Tennessee ID card.
Restrictions:
- The purchaser's name must be the same as the person named on the qualifying program documentation and ID presented.
- The PRIMARY NAMED ADULT on the membership must match the head of household name on the qualifying program documentation and ID.
- Cannot be combined with any other offers. Not valid on gift memberships.
- Unlimited Ride Pass may be added to the membership, but it is not discounted.
Foster Family Memberships are made possible by a generous donation from Kelly P. Crockett.
Corporate Partner Discounts
Check with your Human Resources department to determine if they are one of our Corporate Partners. They will be able to provide you with the link to your corporate store. Offer may not be combined with any other discount, valid on internet orders only.
Giving a Membership
How do I buy a membership for someone else?
Buying a membership gift voucher is the easiest way to give a membership to someone else!
- Start here: Select the level, choose the option "Gift Certificate Starts When Redeemed" and enter your billing info. No info about the recipient is needed until they redeem the voucher.
- Membership gift vouchers do not expire.
- The confirmation, which contains the order number, is sent via email to the purchaser. Forward this to the recipient or create your own certificate, just make sure that the order number is included.
- The recipient will activate their membership by presenting the gift voucher or the order number to the Membership Sales Building upon their first visit [during regular Zoo hours].
- New or lapsed memberships begin the day the voucher is redeemed. A voucher applied to an existing membership will extend that membership by one year.
Want to renew a membership on behalf of someone else?
- You will need their member #, last name, membership level desired, and the names they wish to list on their membership. You can do this online or onsite.
How do I redeem a gift voucher?
A gift voucher may be redeemed onsite at the Membership Building.
Terms & Restrictions
Visiting the Zoo
- A named member must be present with an ID and membership card - in either print or digital form with both sides of the card visible.
- Guests may only visit with a named member.
- A child visiting with a guest or alone may show the adult member's ID - in either print or digital form.
Length of Membership
- All new and lapsed memberships are valid for one or two full years from the date of purchase. Renewed membership terms are added to the existing expiration date.
- Unlimited Ride Pass: Regardless of when you add on your Unlimited Ride Pass, it will expire on the same date as your Zoo membership.
Gift Voucher Use
- Gift vouchers do not expire.
- Vouchers are not assigned to a specific recipient in our system - the bearer may redeem.
- Vouchers must be redeemed onsite at the Membership Sales Building.
- New or lapsed memberships begin the day the voucher is redeemed. A voucher applied to an existing membership will extend that membership by one year.
- The voucher cannot be redeemed for cash and can only be redeemed for a membership.
Upgrades, Changes, Refunds & Transfers
- Level Upgrades: Memberships may be upgraded at any time during the membership term by paying the difference between the current level and the higher level. Level upgrades do not change the expiration date.
- Changes: The Primary Named Adult may contact membership@nashvillezoo.org to update address, email, phone or the second named adult. The Primary Named Adult may not be changed.
- Memberships are not transferable and in most cases, no refund may be issued. It is assumed that every member will have visited often enough to recoup the cost (2-3 visits) regardless of how recently the membership was purchased.
Membership Services
Membership Sales Building
Building Hours
Open during regular Zoo hours. In general, the Membership Building is not open during after-hours special events. Please plan ahead and bring proof of membership with you to special events occurring after hours.
Services
- Purchase, renew or upgrade a membership
- Purchase or redeem a gift voucher
- Add the Unlimited Ride Pass
- Print your membership cards
- Update membership information
Phone & Email
If your question is not answered on the FAQ page or at the Membership Building, please give us a call or email.
615-833-1534 x133
Please call and leave a message to be placed in a callback queue. Callbacks occur Monday through Friday during regular Zoo hours.
membership@nashvillezoo.org
For a quicker response to your question, send us an email.
