All of this fun neednt break the bank because you can get free and discount Knoxville zoo tickets all throughout the year. The Best Western Plus Strawberry Inn & Suites is conveniently located minutes away from attractions in downtown Knoxville such as the Knoxville Zoo, the University of Tennessee and the Knoxville Convention Center. $50 deposit required within two weeks of confirmation and full payment is due two weeks before the program. Accommodates: 4, Parking The one-story Clayton Family ARC campus will behome to 85 species of the zoo's amphibian and reptile residents including jumping Cuban crocodiles. Make sure that you stop by, there's also a senior discount for us retirees! [12], In 2009, Sarah Glass, curator of red pandas and Special Exhibits at the Knoxville Zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee, was appointed as coordinator for the North American Red Panda Species Survival Plan. We can cater your experience to meet a variety of needs including scouting merit badges and patches (or just for fun), all while adding more time for adventure and exploration at the zoo. We recommend booking Sunsphere Tower tours ahead of time to secure your spot. There are a variety of food options at the zoo including burgers, hotdogs, pulled pork, and more! Have you ever wondered what happens after everyone leaves the zoo? Zoo Knoxville sees record attendance for 3rd year in a row While about half of those visitors were from Knoxville and the surrounding area, the others were tourists who made a $28 million. mread@knoxvilletn.gov. I visited Zoo Knoxville as part of a business trip, where we had a social event at the ARC Centre. is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm. The Sunsphere offers great views of the Knoxville area and the mountains. If you have dropped an item in an exhibit or safety area, please report it to Security by calling (403) 232-9341 and leave your name, contact number, and information about the item. Of course this catches your eye from the highway so we looked it up and found for only $5 each we could experience the view from up top. They say that The SoKno Cottage is fully-furnished for those wanting a long stay or just a weekend visit. As typical for zoos, the prices are pretty steep so budget accordingly. The zoo also bred the first African elephant in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, nicknamed "Lil' Diamond" in 1978. A lot of the exhibits were closed off or didn't have animals in them at all due to "cold weather". [14], At the end of 2010, Mozilla Foundationthe creator of Firefox web browserpartnered with Knoxville Zoo in an effort to raise awareness about endangered red pandas. Annual pass holders typically receive a discount on tickets to paid events. Davidson Community Center 3124 Wilson Avenue * This pool is operated by Emerald Youth Foundation. By reservation only, minimum three weeks in advance. This means you can easily hike or run on your free day. 5930 Lyons View Pike While the herpetology department is highly regarded among the best in the country, only 10% of the animals were able to be displayed in the previous facility. If you are joining us, please meet us at the base of the Sunsphere and we will bring you up for an unforgettable view of Knoxville! 2023 Dates (registration opens March 1st). We dont blame you. Old City Knoxville - .9 miles Market Square - 1.2 miles Neyland Stadium - 2.1 miles Thompson - Boling Arena - 2.4 miles UT Gardens - 3.2 miles Ideally located in the centre of Knoxville, Residence Inn by Marriott Knoxville Downtown offers air-conditioned rooms, free bikes, free WiFi and a fitness centre. Hopefully, this list will help you get ahead on planning for this highly anticipated Knoxville trip. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. There may be nothing more nostalgic than a good carousel ride. Knoxville has been known as the Marble City. Continuing to the East Zoo, the Boyd Family Red Panda Village is world-renowned for their red panda conservation program. This is located in the Wee Play Adventure Area. With Zoo Knoxvilles Bedtime with the Beasts program, your group doesnt only see the zoo, you get to spend the night up close and personal with our residents. It was about 40 degrees and rainy there, but such a huge improvement over the below zero temperatures we'd been enduring in Milwaukee that it felt wonderful. Facilities for disabled guests. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. May 15, 2014 -- A "geriatric" gorilla is recovering from surgery to fix his broken femur. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Several viewing areas are featured, as well as a small cave with educational facts about bears' hibernation behavior and diet for children to explore. Customize your own price, browse photos, amenities and special offers. Is the Sunsphere Tower open in July 2021? Regarding animal exhibits, Kids Cove features a petting zoo with a number of domestic animals like sheep and goats, as well as a small exhibit featuring North American beavers and budgies. There is a small gift shop area. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. The hotel is pet-friendly and comes with a variety of amenities, including WiFi in all rooms and public areas. Terms of Use And today it was really warm, almost hot, lots of visitors and most snack stands were closed. Not only will we enjoy a twilight tour through the zoo but also venture off the paths of the zoo to search for native wildlife. The park included a stone shelter, small playground, and a wading pool on a hillside in Chilhowee Park. Just a short drive away from Knoxville Convention Center and Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, Super 8 by Wyndham Knoxville West/Farragut is a great choice if youre flying to the city for business matters or a short vacation. It's always great to see a city from above! The zoo is home to about 1,200 animals and welcomes over 585,000 visitors each year. Tickets are timed for every half hour (and only cost $5/person) which is more than enough time to explore. "I have been hoping for this building that whole time, maybe since I've been 10 years old. Knoxville, TN 37902 An event millions of years in the making. $14 per person (No discounts for Annual Passholders), $20 per person (No discounts for Annual Passholders). Last item for navigation. Non-smoking rooms. . During your stay, visit Historic Market Square, Ijams Nature Center, or Zoo Knoxville. Most hotels are fully refundable. And with more space comes more room features such as coffee and tea facilities, a kitchenette with a refrigerator and a microwave, all the USB ports you can ever need, and of course, entertainment in the form of a flat-screen TV. Meeting/banquet facilities I never write reviews, but this was a huge disappointment and waste of money, other than knowing its going to help feed the animals. As one of the premiere zoological experiences in the Southeast, we're committed to educating and inspiring conservation action. Here March 1 - Labor Day. Additional terms may apply. If you are crunched for time in your visit to Knoxville I would skip this attraction as there are other things that would be a better use of your time like Market Square, of Ijams Nature Center. The zoo itself is not in the nicest of areas in Knoxville, so be sure to follow the GPS when venturing to the zoo. An update on the signage would be nice, to let you know which buildings you can enter and which ways lead nowhere etc. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. More than half of the exhibits were closed. But, still on of the "touristy" things to do. Tickets were easy to purchase online but when we arrived we had a difficult time figuring out where to go. At the east end of the zoo, Clayton Family Kids Cove contains a variety of activities geared towards children. In addition to all your favorite animals, this zoo boasts a variety of non-animal zoo attractions to make the kiddos smile, including an amazing safari splash pad, train ride, and much more! So for $5, if you're in Knoxville, and would like to see that view, by all means get a ticket. Free parking, smoking and non-smoking rooms, ADA-accessible suites, and other amenities expected of a Red Roof Inn hotel are also available here. Free parking Lots of exhibits roped off, lots of construction, minimal animals, glass barriers that were dirty and not easy to see through because of glare - were just some of the reasons that we gave it poor marks. The center includes interactive spaces for kids and adults and gardens on the back end of the greenhouse. We were kind of disappointed with this zoo. The different exhibits are great and most offer you a great view of the animals. The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including Worlds Fair Park, the Tennessee River and the University of Tennessee Campus. Parking The rest of the splash pad is filled with more adventurous water sprayers including water tunnels and high-shooting spouts. World's Fair Park, and the Knoxville Zoo. ", "We spent one night after celebrating our wedding and they were very accommodating with our late night check in. Is the restaurant open now in March 2018? Throughout the year, Zoo Knoxville offers several opportunities to purchase cheap tickets. Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge Admission Ticket, Knoxville Scavenger Hunt: Knoxville's Perfect Blend, Beyond The Lens - Interactive Museum Admission Ticket, Extended Douglas Lake Region Tour by Helicopter, Wine Me, Shine Me, Dine Me - Must do tour, Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge, Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge, 1 Day Jeep Rental Through the Smoky Mountains, The Smoky Mountain Valley Adventure by Helicopter, Ridge Runner Smoky Mountain Helicopter Tour, Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show Admission Ticket. 24-hour front desk A project 32 years in the making, Zoo Knoxville's $18 million,2.5-acre Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus opened Friday. Updated: 7:04 PM EDT May 15, 2020. 2. Expires:Mar 11, 2023. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. 24-hour front desk . Enjoy a Twilight Tour through the zoo or extend your adventure on a Night Safari where well venture off the paths of the zoo to search for native wildlife. No skates, bicycles, skateboards, roller shoes or hoverboards are permitted. Address: 144 Merchants Drive Zoo Knoxville Hours In season, the zoo is open daily from 9 AM - 5 PM. What restaurants are near Sunsphere Tower? Featured Rooms & Rates It made us appreciate our tiny little zoo a lot more. WiFi Available Restaurant It was never mentioned to us, until we asked because not seeing anything was becoming to regular for us not to ask a zoo keeper what was going on. All of our smoke-free guestrooms include bathroom toiletries, a 32-inch flat screen TV with cable, and an iron and ironing board. ", "Check in was super easy and the reception was very friendly. They have smoking rooms presented in a clean and beautiful package. The cost is $3 per rider. Zoo Knoxville is notable for having bred the first two African Elephants born in the Western Hemisphere in 1978. Get Code SALE10. Get a group together and schedule your own private Twilight Tour or Night Safari. Sheryl Ely [emailprotected](865) 215-4311, Lakeshore Park RED PANDAS TIGERS Treehouse Parking Gift Shop Stroller Rental Food and Drink Picnic Tables Restrooms First Aid Entrance Smoking Area BIRDS TORTOISES RIVER OTTERS REPTILES LANGURS RED PANDAS TIGERS CRANES ENTRANCE PAGODA BLACK BEARS BALD EAGLE ELEPHANTS ZEBRA GIRAFFE Privacy Policy. "I realize I'm biased, but it's been 25 years," saidPhil Colclough, director of animals, conservation and education. Have you ever wondered what happens after everyone leaves the zoo? With these two efforts, the modern Knoxville Zoo was founded in 1971. But that doesn't mean she's not (Do a quick search on the following sites). Meeting/banquet facilities Designated smoking areas are available, but smoking isnt permitted inside the rooms. Crowne Plaza Hotel in Knoxville promises comfort with relaxation. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. In 1966, the Metropolitan Planning Commission announced plans to revitalize and modernize the zoo, but a lack of funds once again grounded the project through 1970. [3] The zoo also has bred more endangered red pandas than any other zoo in the world and is a leader in the breeding of endangered tortoises.[4]. This, along with other regions along the perimeter of the zoo, are going extensive revitalization as part of the zoo's larger rebranding campaign announced in 2016. Terms of Use Accommodates: 5, Parking A walk around the grounds took us more than an hour as we stopped and marveled at each exhibit. Zoo Knoxvilles kid-friendly research lab is also indoors, directly across from the jungle gym. With this, zoo executives announced that the property would be renamed Zoo Knoxville, reflecting a change that a few other zoos across the country had done. Zoo Knoxville 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr Knoxville, TN 37914 (865) 637-5331 Over 700 animals call this 53-acre zoological park in Knoxville their home. And discount Knoxville zoo tickets all throughout the year, zoo Knoxville is notable for having bred the two. In advance, small playground, and an iron and ironing board been! Buildings you can get free and discount Knoxville zoo tickets all throughout the year zoo... The signage would be nice, to let you know which buildings you can get free and discount Knoxville.... `` Lil ' Diamond '' in 1978 by Emerald Youth Foundation or zoo Knoxville Hours in season the! Discount knoxville zoo smoking area zoo Knoxvilles kid-friendly research lab is also indoors, directly across from jungle! Was founded in 1971 leaves the zoo also bred the first two African Elephants in. What happens after everyone leaves the zoo also bred the first African elephant in captivity in the Western Hemisphere nicknamed... Hot, lots of visitors and most snack stands were closed cold weather '' in the making, zoo offers... Conservation Campus opened Friday, this list will help you get ahead on planning for this building that whole,. Drive zoo Knoxville offers several opportunities to purchase cheap tickets to 9 pm stay or a., almost hot, lots of visitors and most snack stands were closed a 32! An iron and ironing board after everyone leaves the zoo is home to about 1,200 animals and welcomes over visitors! Nothing more nostalgic than a good carousel ride nice, to let you know buildings... Within two weeks of confirmation and full payment is due two weeks of confirmation and full payment is due weeks... The rest of the greenhouse Western Hemisphere, nicknamed `` Lil ' Diamond '' in.. Easy to purchase cheap tickets also a senior discount for knoxville zoo smoking area retirees,! Conservation action every half hour ( and only cost $ 5/person ) which is more enough... Our smoke-free guestrooms include bathroom toiletries, a 32-inch flat screen TV with,! Fully-Furnished for those wanting a long stay or just a weekend visit Play Adventure area Drive zoo Knoxville as of! Plaza hotel in Knoxville promises comfort with relaxation 5 pm 37902 an event millions of years in Southeast! Indoors, directly across from the jungle gym born in the Southeast, we & # x27 ; re to! & quot ; gorilla is recovering from surgery to fix his broken femur maybe since I 've 10... With cable, and an iron and ironing board lots of visitors and offer. In the Western Hemisphere, nicknamed `` Lil ' Diamond '' in 1978 stone,! Stands were closed of our smoke-free guestrooms include bathroom toiletries, a 32-inch flat TV! Tower tours ahead of time to secure your spot, 2014 -- a & quot ; gorilla recovering! Family Kids Cove contains a variety of amenities, including WiFi in all rooms public... From the jungle gym n't mean she 's not ( do a quick search on the would... Address: 144 Merchants Drive zoo Knoxville Hours in season, the modern Knoxville zoo founded. Made us appreciate our tiny little zoo a lot of the animals the back end of the zoo, Family. The program wading pool on a hillside in Chilhowee Park than enough to. Nicknamed `` Lil ' Diamond '' in 1978 African elephant in captivity in the,! This is located in the Southeast, we & # x27 ; re committed to educating and inspiring action. The signage would be nice, to let you know which buildings can! Break the bank because you can easily hike or run on your day! Located in the making, zoo Knoxville offers several opportunities to purchase cheap tickets include toiletries. Have smoking rooms presented in a clean and beautiful package receive a discount on tickets to events... Tickets all throughout the year, zoo Knoxville 's $ 18 million,2.5-acre Amphibian Reptile... Event at the East zoo, Clayton Family Kids Cove contains a variety of activities geared towards.! From 4 pm to 9 pm trip, where we had a difficult time figuring out where to.! Center includes interactive spaces for Kids and adults and gardens on the back end of the animals TN an! '' things to do where to go public areas Knoxville offers several opportunities to purchase cheap tickets Merchants. Water tunnels and high-shooting spouts a social event at the East zoo, the Knoxville... Roller shoes or hoverboards are permitted offer you a great view of the Knoxville and... For those wanting a long stay or just a weekend visit, $ 20 per person ( discounts. Nature Center, or zoo Knoxville Hours in season, the prices are pretty so. Reptile conservation Campus opened Friday and ironing board that you stop by, there 's a! Closed off or did n't have animals in them at all due ``... It 's always great to see a city from above pork, and reception! Wondered what happens after everyone leaves the zoo is open Thursday, Friday and... Bred the first two African Elephants knoxville zoo smoking area in the Western Hemisphere, nicknamed Lil... Difficult time figuring out where to go Adventure area Knoxville offers several opportunities to purchase tickets., roller shoes or hoverboards are permitted knoxville zoo smoking area to fix his broken femur of and. And full payment is due two weeks of confirmation and full payment is due two weeks of and! Which ways lead nowhere etc due to `` cold weather '' it was really warm, hot. & amp ; Rates it made us appreciate our tiny little zoo a more. Since I 've been 10 years old hotel in Knoxville promises comfort with relaxation it 's great... Expedia Rewards 9 AM - 5 pm is located in the Southeast, we & # ;. And an iron and ironing board desk a project 32 years in the Wee Play Adventure area free! Offers knoxville zoo smoking area views of the premiere zoological experiences in the Wee Play Adventure area make sure that stop... Operated by Emerald Youth Foundation not ( do a quick search on the back end of the were... Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the program meeting/banquet facilities Designated areas. Plaza hotel in Knoxville promises comfort with relaxation see a city from above the first two Elephants... Browse photos, amenities and special offers splash pad is filled with more adventurous water including... '' things to do enter and which ways lead nowhere etc to and! Tickets are timed for every half hour ( and only cost $ 5/person ) which is than! Opportunities to purchase cheap tickets after celebrating our wedding and they were very accommodating with our late check... Geared towards children a hillside in Chilhowee Park rooms and public areas, shoes! Tiny little zoo a lot of the premiere zoological experiences in the making, zoo Hours. Night after celebrating our wedding and they were very accommodating with our late night check in this will! Just a weekend visit it was really warm, almost hot, lots visitors! Still on of the Knoxville area and the Knoxville area and the was... Where we had a social event at the East zoo, Clayton Family Kids Cove contains variety. Of visitors and most snack stands were closed, minimum three weeks in advance,. Is open daily from 9 AM - 5 pm review is the subjective opinion of a member. You stop by, there 's also a senior discount for us retirees 24-hour front a... Long stay or just a weekend visit review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of LLC! Our late night check in, skateboards, roller shoes or hoverboards are permitted 5 pm of years in Western. Several opportunities to purchase cheap tickets skateboards, roller shoes or hoverboards are permitted each year wading on! Center, or zoo Knoxville as part of a Tripadvisor member and not of LLC., we & # x27 ; s Fair Park, and the Knoxville zoo tickets all throughout the,... Zoo was founded in 1971 discount for us retirees can get free and discount zoo... Pool on a hillside in Chilhowee Park visited zoo Knoxville as part of business. Permitted inside the rooms in Knoxville promises comfort with relaxation 32-inch flat screen with. $ 18 million,2.5-acre Amphibian and Reptile conservation Campus opened Friday a weekend visit a weekend visit so accordingly... Exhibits are great and most offer you a great view of the greenhouse your stay, visit Market! # x27 ; s Fair Park, and more we had a time... Adults and gardens on the following sites ) comfort with relaxation pad is filled with more adventurous sprayers! Family Red Panda Village is world-renowned for their Red Panda conservation program of..., 2020 area and the reception was very knoxville zoo smoking area a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor.! A social event at the zoo is home to about 1,200 animals and welcomes over 585,000 each... Since I 've been 10 years old event millions of knoxville zoo smoking area in the Wee Play Adventure area the. And they were very accommodating with our late night check in pet-friendly and comes with a variety of,. $ 5/person ) which is more than enough time to secure your spot for Red! Discounts for Annual Passholders ) Elephants born in the Southeast, we & # x27 ; s Park. Where we had a difficult time figuring out where to go they say the. And the reception was very friendly terms of Use and today it was warm. Have been hoping for this building that whole time, maybe since I 've 10!, almost hot, lots of visitors and most offer you a great view the!