Tennessee Road Trip

[zoosnbrews]

I am heading on a road trip to hit most of AZA zoos and aquariums in Tennessee from Aug 16th-24th. Place I will definitely be visiting are; Mesker Park zoo, Nashville Zoo, Aquarium restaurant, Chattanooga Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, Knoxville zoo and the Ripley Aquarium of the Smokies. I am not doing Memphis this trip just due to the amount of time I have, I like to golf and check out more than just zoos on my trips. A couple of questions I have are; Is Boonshoft Museum worth going to on the way? I know it's AZA but doesn't seem too exciting. Second I am considering going to Bright Zoo or Mill mountain on the way home to Buffalo are either of these worth the added time? I would love to see a Tayra again or a spotless giraffe but I have seen mixed reviews of the place. After 2 days in Louisville to see family, I am stopping in Evansville on my way to Nashville spending 3 nights there a night in Chattanooga then 2 nights in pigeon forge. If I am missing any facilities or interesting animals please feel free to let me know.

 

[biggest_dreamer]

Brights is an interesting one. None of the exhibitry is great, but most of it isn’t terrible. The tayras have always been super active on my visits, and they have a handful of other species that you don’t come across super often (especially in AZA zoos) - black-backed jackal, red-handed tamarin, owl monkey, red-faced spider monkey, gemsbok, cape vulture, maybe a few more depending on what you’ve come across a lot. It would be difficult to give it an unequivocal recommendation, but I also imagine you probably wouldn’t dislike it in its entirety.

 

[tschandler71]

Brights is an interesting one. None of the exhibitry is great, but most of it isn’t terrible. The tayras have always been super active on my visits, and they have a handful of other species that you don’t come across super often (especially in AZA zoos) - black-backed jackal, red-handed tamarin, owl monkey, red-faced spider monkey, gemsbok, cape vulture, maybe a few more depending on what you’ve come across a lot. It would be difficult to give it an unequivocal recommendation, but I also imagine you probably wouldn’t dislike it in its entirety.

It used to be a lot better. The first four or five times I went it was an actual destination for some relatively rare hoofstock. And in large numbers. But this last visit they've doubled down on the Highland Cow fad and a good many of the rarities are gone.

 

[zoosnbrews]

I think bright zoo may not be feasible adds an hour plus the visit. 12 hour drive already, didn't realize it was that long of a drive when I posted. I would love to see a Tayra again.

 

[Persephone]

Boonshoft adds nothing of real value unless you have a child. It’s probably the worst zoo I’ve been to that’s still accredited from a pure exhibitry perspective.

 

[SwampDonkey]

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo isn't too far out of your way, I have not been, but I have read some pretty good things about it if you are into herps. You don't mention Louisville Zoo, so I assume that you have been as family is in town? If not it is worth a stop IMO.

 

[zoosnbrews]

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo isn't too far out of your way, I have not been, but I have read some pretty good things about it if you are into herps. You don't mention Louisville Zoo, so I assume that you have been as family is in town? If not it is worth a stop IMO.

Yes I have been to Louisville zoo before, it is an interesting zoo with many different design choices. I'm going to a few distilleries instead of the zoo when I'm in Louisville. I'm excited to go to Mesker Park zoo on the way to Nashville. It seems to have a decent selection of species and an indoor rainforest building for a smaller town zoo.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I'm going to a few distilleries instead of the zoo when I'm in Louisville.

Nice! I completed the trail two years ago with my best friend, seeing all the distilleries is a lot of fun. Any in particular you are hitting?

 

[Persephone]

Yes I have been to Louisville zoo before, it is an interesting zoo with many different design choices. I'm going to a few distilleries instead of the zoo when I'm in Louisville. I'm excited to go to Mesker Park zoo on the way to Nashville. It seems to have a decent selection of species and an indoor rainforest building for a smaller town zoo.

Mesker Park genuinely has one of my favorite zoo rainforest buildings. The rest of the zoo’s a bit mixed in quality, but Amazonia punched well above its weight.

 

[zoosnbrews]

Nice! I completed the trail two years ago with my best friend, seeing all the distilleries is a lot of fun. Any in particular you are hitting?

My family is planning the day but I know we are sticking to downtown and I know we have a tour with chocolate pairings at Angel envy. Just as long as I get a few bottles for the shelf I'm happy.

 

[SwampDonkey]

My family is planning the day but I know we are sticking to downtown and I know we have a tour with chocolate pairings at Angel envy. Just as long as I get a few bottles for the shelf I'm happy.

Sounds like a good time. When I went to Angels Envy they were still building the new area. They did a good tour there, you get to see the bottling area and stuff that most will show you but are for "show" and not production. Evan Williams does a great tour too, and they have distillery only bottles. Green River just opened a spot in downtown, when I went you had to drive out to Owensboro for the tour - they make a great wheated bourbon in a fairly unique bottle.

 

[zoosnbrews]

I hit the road tomorrow at 5 am, Day 1 I will be visiting the Columbus Zoo for the first time in 15 years when I visited they were just starting construction on Polar Frontier. Day 2 no zoos only Whiskey, Day 3 Mesker Park zoo, Day 4 Nashville Zoo, Day 5 Aquarium Restaurant, Day 6 Tennessee Aquarium and Chattanooga Zoo, Day 7 Knoxville zoo and Ripley's Aquarium at Smokey's. Should be a great road trip I'll try to write mini reviews during the trip.