Go Wild in Memphis

Overton Park is located in Midtown Memphis and at first glance may look like your typical park, golf course and children’s play area. But nestled smack in the middle is 70 acres of the most fun you can have in an afternoon.

From its humble beginning in 1906 with 23 simple cages and a row of bear dens, the Memphis Zoo is now home to 2,800 animals representing 400 species. It has been named the #1 Zoo according to TripAdvisor and for good reason.  

With 19 unique exhibits, you can “travel around the world” within the perimeters of the zoo. Visit Teton Trek which brings the Yellowstone National Park to Midtown. The Great Lodge and replica of Old Faithful are surrounded by grizzly bears and wolves.  (And yes, you can play in the geyser.)

Catch a playful sea lion performance at Northwest Passage where you can also get nose-to-nose with polar bears, see totem poles (that actually received a Native American blessing), bald eagles, black bears, and the list goes on.

Pay a visit to China where you can stand a few feet away from giant pandas, Le Le and Ya Ya. The Memphis Zoo is one of only four zoos in the United States to provide this rare opportunity.

The zoo continues to grow and the Zambezi River Hippo Camp will be their next big development. Visitors will have a chance to see hippos both on land and in a below-ground water observation area. Other animals featured will include Nile crocodiles, okapi and flamingos.

The landscape at the Memphis Zoo must be seen to believe. From the time you step inside the grand entrance, you know you’re in a very special place. The main entrance and courtyard pays honor in its design to the ancient city of Memphis, Egypt. The meandering streams, crisp waterfalls, native plants and tranquil gardens alone are a great reason to visit.

Fun at the zoo is year round. Celebrate winter with a million lights and an outdoor ice skating rink at Zoo Lights. Kids of all ages are thrilled at Zoo Boo each Halloween as the zoo transforms itself into a “spook-tacular” family event. Enjoy trick-or-treat stations, costume contests, painted pumpkin patch and much, much more.  

There are plenty of good eats at the zoo including two favorites - black bean burgers and sweet potato fries or bring your own spread. Coolers and children’s wagons are welcomed. Sorry, no pets.

Come play around in the Memphis Zoo. Hop on the tram and see everything from exotic animals to the petting zoo and everything in between. As you can see, you’d better plan to stay at least half a day with all there is to see and do.