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Chattanooga Zoo

4.4
·8k reviews·Chattanooga, United States

A charming and clean wildlife park in Chattanooga, TN, featuring diverse animals in well-designed enclosures.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Animals are active, pleasant weather

CrowdLow
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Jaguar.

Chattanooga Zoo

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Animals are active, pleasant weather

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming and clean wildlife park in Chattanooga, TN, featuring diverse animals in well-designed enclosures.

4.4
(8k reviews)

"This was one of the cleanest zoos that I have visited! All of the animals was cared for like personal pets."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save money and skip the line by purchasing your Chattanooga Zoo tickets in advance online.

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking to explore all the exhibits at the Chattanooga Zoo.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 7,839 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Red Pandas

Red Pandas

Red Panda House

Adorable and often active, these charismatic creatures are a must-see. Get up close with a Wild Encounter!

Instagram+1
Meerkats

Meerkats

Meerkat Enclosure

Watch these social and energetic animals as they pop up and interact. Always a crowd-pleaser!

Instagram
Porcupines

Porcupines

Porcupine Enclosure

Don't underestimate these cute, spiky residents with their distinctive red teeth.

Instagram
Capybaras

Capybaras

Capybara Enclosure

These gentle giants are a unique sight, often seen lounging or interacting with other animals.

TikTok
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Heat & Crowds

Visit during cooler months or early mornings to see more active animals and avoid July/August heat. Booking tickets online can save you money and time, especially during peak seasons. Instagram

Snack Smart

While some zoos restrict outside food, Reddit users discuss bringing snacks and water for toddlers. Check the Chattanooga Zoo's policy, but be prepared for potential on-site food costs. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring & Fall mornings
Why
Animals are active, pleasant weather
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer families, cooler temps
Crowd
Medium
When
Summer evenings
Why
Escape the heat, potential events
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Happy Employee Appreciation Day!✨ Check out Savannah’s Day in the life as a Swing Keeper! 🤎
@chattanoogazoo
40.8K likes • 363.9K views

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save money and skip the line by purchasing your Chattanooga Zoo tickets in advance online. Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking to explore all the exhibits at the Chattanooga Zoo. Instagram

SAVE THIS for your 2025 Chattanooga Bucketlist!! The porcupine is so underrated- so cute with their little red teeth🥹🥹 and also all love to the fun meerkats and of course the adorable red pandas!! Thank you @chattanoogazoo for having us out last month for a WILD Encounter with these amazing animals!!🥹 #hosted ➡️Book online at www.chattzoo.org/visit/tours-encounters 😊WILD encounters are for ag...
webbchatts
166.5K likes • 4.2M views
🐆 Chattanooga Zoo 📍 301 N Holtzclaw Ave Chattanooga, TN 🕒 Hours: Daily: 9a - 5p 💲 $14-$20 per person ❗️ Children 2 and under FREE ‼️ SAVE $3 buying online #Chattanooga #ChattanoogaZoo #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #VisitTennessee #ExploreChattanooga #TennesseeTravel #FamilyAdventures #TravelSouth #ChattanoogaWithKids
lindsey_hartsfield
2 likes • 230 views

💧 Stay Hydrated

Especially in warmer months, bring water bottles or utilize the cooling stations. Reddit

📸 Capture the Moments

The zoo offers great photo opportunities, especially with the red pandas and meerkats. Instagram

WILD ENCOUNTERS: Did you know you can get up close and personal with the Red Pandas at the Chattanooga Zoo? Watch Local 3's Paul Shahen explore on this week's Three in Your Town.
local3news
246 likes • 7.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save money and skip the line by purchasing your Chattanooga Zoo tickets in advance online. Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking to explore all the exhibits at the Chattanooga Zoo. Instagram

💧 Stay Hydrated

Especially in warmer months, bring water bottles or utilize the cooling stations. Reddit

📸 Capture the Moments

The zoo offers great photo opportunities, especially with the red pandas and meerkats. Instagram

⏰ Allow About an Hour

The Chattanooga Zoo is compact, so plan for roughly an hour to see most of the animals. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(8k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Chattanooga Zoo for its cleanliness, well-cared-for animals, and thoughtful enclosure designs that offer both indoor and outdoor options. Many appreciate its manageable size, making it a quick and enjoyable visit. However, some note that animal activity can be low during hot weather, and certain accessibility features could be improved.

"This was one of the cleanest zoos that I have visited! All of the animals was cared for like personal pets and had their enclosures set up to their likings. I was also impressed that ALL the animals had indoor air conditioned or heat/ outdoor enclosures that they could choose from. Cooling stations all throughout the zoo for the visitors and educational programs. The zoo is not huge but it is definitely worth the visit and I was so happy to see the animals looked happy!"

Jessica Champion

"This is a nice little zoo and can be walked in full within an hour or so. A decent amount of exhibits to see even though most of the animals opted to stay inside their enclosures to escape the July heat. It also seems there's construction throughout the zoo, mainly for expansion and building new exhibits. We enjoyed it a lot and it was a nice little stop on our trip."

Jim Vallès

"Small zoo, but we had a great time! The animals were active and most of the exhibits were open, which made it fun to walk through. It only takes about an hour to see everything, so it’s not too long. Overall, a good zoo—just don’t expect something on the scale of the Nashville Zoo. Much smaller, but still enjoyable!"

Melissa Sisco

What People Like

Clean and well-maintained
Happy and cared-for animals
Manageable size for quick visits

What People Dislike

Limited accessibility in some areas
Animals inactive in heat
Overpriced gift shop items

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Chattanooga Zoo is located at 301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN. Instagram

The zoo is accessible by car, with parking available on-site. Public transportation options may also be available depending on your starting point in Chattanooga. Check local transit schedules for details.

Yes, there is parking available at the Chattanooga Zoo. Instagram

Yes, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can drop you off at the zoo entrance. This is a convenient option if you are staying in downtown Chattanooga.

From downtown Chattanooga, head north on Broad Street and turn right onto Holtzclaw Avenue. The zoo will be on your left. It's a short drive, typically under 10 minutes.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices for the Chattanooga Zoo typically range from $14-$20 per person, with children aged 2 and under being free. Purchasing tickets online can save you about $3 per ticket. Instagram

Yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate, but buying them online in advance is recommended to save money and potentially avoid lines. Instagram

The zoo sometimes offers discounts, and buying tickets online can provide savings. They also offer free admission for veterans. Reddit

The Chattanooga Zoo is typically open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for any seasonal changes or special holiday hours. Instagram

Yes, the Chattanooga Zoo offers membership options, which can be a great value if you plan to visit multiple times a year. Check their website for current membership benefits and pricing.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Most visitors find that it takes about an hour to see everything at the Chattanooga Zoo, as it's a smaller, more manageable size. Reddit

Animal activity can vary depending on the weather. On hot days, many animals may seek shade or stay indoors. Visiting in the morning or during cooler seasons often leads to more visible animals. Reddit

Popular exhibits include the Red Pandas, Meerkats, and Capybaras. The zoo also features a variety of other animals from around the globe. TikTokInstagram

While the zoo has made efforts, some areas might present challenges for wheelchairs, such as ramps to certain exhibits or inclines. The carousel is noted as having a ramp. Reddit

Yes, the Chattanooga Zoo has a train ride, but it may not be wheelchair accessible. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Reddit discussions suggest that some zoos may have restrictions on outside food. It's advisable to check the Chattanooga Zoo's official policy regarding outside food and beverages. Reddit

The zoo typically has a concession stand or cafe offering snacks and light meals. Specific offerings can vary, so check their website for current menus.

While not explicitly mentioned, smaller zoos often have limited picnic facilities. It's best to confirm with the zoo directly if you plan to bring a picnic.

Based on one review, a small stuffed animal from the gift shop was considered overpriced. Food prices at zoo concessions can sometimes be higher than average. Reddit

Concession stands usually offer standard fare like hot dogs and fries. For specific dietary needs, it's recommended to contact the zoo in advance or bring your own suitable food if permitted.

📸 📸 Photography

The Red Panda exhibit and the Meerkat enclosure offer fantastic photo opportunities due to their active nature and clear viewing areas. Instagram

Generally, personal cameras and DSLRs are allowed. However, professional photography or videography might require special permits, especially for commercial purposes. Check the zoo's policy.

While general photography is encouraged, avoid using flash photography directly at animals, as it can disturb them. Also, be mindful of other visitors and do not block pathways.

You can expect to capture close-ups of various animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The zoo's layout allows for good viewing angles for many exhibits. Instagram

The 'Wild Encounters' with animals like the Red Pandas offer unique, up-close photo opportunities. Instagram

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