The rest of West Zoo is largely themed around a bamboo forest leading to Gorilla Valley and Chimp Ridge, housing large families of western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees respectively. We visited every site and particularly enjoyed the African section and the treehouse area. . We were some of the first visitors that day. Is the Sunsphere Tower open in July 2021? Address: 5334 Central Ave Pike, Powell, Knoxville (TN), United States, 37912. [9] The exhibit also features a two-toed sloth. 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. The hotel has a smoke-free policy, but the front desk will always be happy to direct you to nearby areas where you can enjoy a smoke. We got turned around at the tiger exhibit, no signs directing which way to go, and almost missed the reptile and avian section. Zoo Knoxville 1,371 Zoos By IwishIwereTraveling We have the annual pass and go quite frequently as it is an easy trip to do for a couple hours and keep the kids ente. Zoo Knoxville, formerly known as the Knoxville Zoo or Knoxville Zoological Gardens, is a 53-acre (21ha) zoo located just east of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, near exit 392 off Interstate 40. Highly recommend this free attraction as its quiet, informative and easy to access when visiting the city. No cost only requirement is the library account must be in good standing. Plus, they have a slew of amenities, including an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and two swimming pools (one indoor, one outdoor). We are passholders and the kids love coming to see the animals and playing in the splash pad during the summer. The excitement of swinging monkeys and the surprise of a lions booming roar are all par for the course with an adventure at Zoo Knoxville. There are also additional stairs and another tunnel for climbing. Get Code SALE10. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Primo Ristorante Italiano 24-hour front desk . Expires:Mar 9, 2023. Built for the 1982 Worlds Fair, the Sunsphere is a one-of-a-kind structure. Do you need to book in advance to visit Sunsphere Tower? Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX) and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) are both less than 20 miles from our location. KNOXVILLE, Md. The 40 lanterns that are currently standing in the zoo, come from overseas across the Pacific Ocean and come in shipping containers. The Sunsphere offers great views of the Knoxville area and the mountains. During the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., there are holiday drinks, desserts, and food available. Expires:Mar 11, 2023. So for $5, if you're in Knoxville, and would like to see that view, by all means get a ticket. This underrated gem in the Southeast United States has plenty of historical and cultural attractions on display, great local shopping and dining spots, and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. Its not far from Market square and UT, and you can find many free parking places near the area so you dont have to pay to park. The zoo is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. The hotel is pet-friendly and comes with a variety of amenities, including WiFi in all rooms and public areas. You might try calling the number listed at a time they are supposed to be open to verify. This being said, we have always brought snacks and bottled water without any problems. Just because our guests and staff leave for the night, doesnt mean things are any less wild. This time the place was basically deserted with almost no one walking, although there were cars driving by. To show appreciation for the outpouring of care and support during the closure, Zoo Knoxville will be offering tickets at a reduced price of $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 4-12 and seniors over 65. Fitness centre. Heading to Knoxville to check out educational options in the area? The cost is $3 per rider. Knoxville, TN 37902 A new home for thevast collection of reptiles and amphibians has been on the 70-year-old park's wish list for decades. They even left us a surprise in a fridge - a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries along with a hand written note! 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 The staff was super friendly and helpful. After slow progress, the Birthday Park was established in 1935 with help from the city of Knoxville and the New Deal. Watch a movie on the Smart TV or cozy up by the fire pit after a day out. Our hotel is also within easy reach of Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Passes are available first come/first serve and have to be requested through knoxlib.org. Other habitats featured species such as African wild dogs, red wolves, yellow-backed duikers, and an elderly Lar gibbon not housed in the Boyd Family Asian Trek. Business centre Make sure that you stop by, there's also a senior discount for us retirees! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. Will definitely stay here again. WiFi Available Even walking round the zoo, there were a lot of eyesores and it definitely appears to be less maintained in the winter time. Our mission is to save animals from extinction. Free parking The park included a stone shelter, small playground, and a wading pool on a hillside in Chilhowee Park. This set a precedent for Knoxville Zoo to continue to work within the field of conservation, notably with red pandas and spider tortoises. Zoo Knoxville 1,369 Zoos Open now By kerbear135 The staff at Zoo Knoxville are always so friendly and helpful- they're great about answering questions about the anim. Welcome to Knoxville! While this initially raised public interest, conditions and funds soon deteriorated, and Old Diamond contributed more problems by tearing up his early enclosures. 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. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Even the pond going through the park that had been a moat at the entertainment stage near the tower was devoid of water. Terms of Use Makenzie Read. By reservation only, minimum three weeks in advance. Overall, yes this attraction is free. Davidson Community Center 3124 Wilson Avenue * This pool is operated by Emerald Youth Foundation. I've been to many zoos during my lifetime including the Bronx Zoo and the Miami Zoo, and this one blows them all away! Explore the zoo with an experienced night owl who knows their way around in the dark. If modern and contemporary isnt your style, and you prefer a homey kind of accommodation, try out Homewood Suites by Hilton Knoxville West at Turkey Creek. A huge disappointment, very few animals out for viewing and not kept up very well. There are plenty of great schools in the city such as University of Tennessee, Knoxville. kfarley@knoxvilletn.gov. I had a sorority formal here in 2019 in one of the levels that you can have events in. The Sunsphere delivers exactly what it promises: a 360-degree bird's eye view of Knoxville and the surrounding hills. We did not find information ahead of time saying it was closed, but it definitely was. 85% of the animals were put up (mainly the ones that one would be excited to see, elephants, giraffes, zebras, otters etc.) [7] In 2017, this section of the zoo was greatly expanded and revitalized as the Boyd Family Asian Trek, containing new habitats with Malayan tigers, white-handed gibbons, silvered leaf langurs, and white-naped cranes.[8]. A walk around the grounds took us more than an hour as we stopped and marveled at each exhibit. Do they still have Dollar Days? ", "Knoxville Zoo keeper adds red panda conservation efforts to job duties", "Knoxville Zoo worker dies after elephant pushes her into stall", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zoo_Knoxville&oldid=1099023917, This page was last edited on 18 July 2022, at 16:48. Charter E. Doyle Park 1 Parks Hiking Trails 3. Our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and venues are right outside your doorstep! On January 14, 2011, zookeeper Stephanie James was killed when one of the zoo's two female elephants, "Edie", pushed her into the side of the indoor stall. With these two efforts, the modern Knoxville Zoo was founded in 1971. 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. ), The price is $126 per night from Mar 5 to Mar 6, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oak Ridge, an IHG Hotel, The price is $110 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9, The price is $84 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9, The price is $97 per night from Mar 9 to Mar 10, Hampton Inn Knoxville-West At Cedar Bluff, The price is $135 per night from Mar 5 to Mar 6. It's always great to see a city from above! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Inn of Knoxville - 0.8 mi (1.3 km) away. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. In some pictures you could see the ribs of the animals they all looked sad. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Seems a bit pricey for a ride up an elevator and a look out the window. Meeting/banquet facilities Maximum size 75 people. Any item (s) reported or found to be dropped in an animal exhibit or safety area may take time . The positive? Annual pass holders typically receive a discount on tickets to paid events. 24-hour front desk Get to see many of your favorite animals prowling and calling in ways youve never heard before. 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