Nashville Zoo Giraffe House

The Nashville Zoo Giraffe House offers what consistently ranks as many families' most memorable zoo moment: standing eye-to-eye (well, neck-to-eye) with a giraffe and hand-feeding it lettuce from a platform that brings you to the level of this remarkable animal's head.

Giraffes are among the most visually striking animals at any zoo — 15-18 feet tall, with a presence that photographs simply don't capture. When a child's extended hand is accepted by that famously long, dexterous purple tongue reaching for the lettuce leaf, the reaction is universally one of delight mixed with incredulity. It's a tactile, in-person wildlife encounter that creates lasting memory.

The Giraffe House is part of Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, one of Tennessee's premier zoo facilities at 531 Elysian Fields Rd. Zoo general admission is required to access the Giraffe House, with giraffe feeding available as an additional add-on experience. Morning visits tend to produce the most active giraffes and the best feeding window energy.

Beyond the giraffes, the Nashville Zoo is worth the full visit. The Jungle Gym play area is one of the largest zoo playgrounds in the country — a useful physical activity break for kids in the middle of a walking-intensive zoo day. The Unseen New World exhibit, the otter habitat, and the Australian exhibit area are consistent kid favorites.

Pricing: General admission runs approximately $19-24 for adults and $14-17 for children, with giraffe feeding as an add-on. A family of 4 budget of $70-120 is realistic. Nashville Zoo memberships pay for themselves in two visits for Nashville families.