Duration
1-2 hours (longer if you catch both live shows and spend time in petting zoo)
Best For
Families with young children • Rainy day backup plans • Animal lovers wanting hands-on experiences
Pro Tip
Bring $3 cash for animal feed at the petting zoo - watching the goats and emus get excited is half the fun, and your kids will want to feed them multiple times.
About Rainforest Adventures Zoo
Looking for a family-friendly zoo experience in Sevierville? Rainforest Adventures Zoo offers an intimate, indoor wildlife experience that's perfect for both rainy days and scorching summers. With over 130 species housed in a climate-controlled environment, this single-level facility makes exploring comfortable year-round.
The zoo's compact size means families can see everything without overwhelming young children. Kids especially love the interactive petting zoo section, where they can get up close with friendly goats and other domesticated animals. The tropical bird exhibits feature social cockatoos that often interact with visitors, while exotic creatures like poison dart frogs and lemurs captivate animal enthusiasts of all ages.
Don't miss Jungle Jim's live animal shows at 1 PM and 3 PM, where children get hands-on opportunities to touch and learn about various creatures. The knowledgeable staff regularly conduct keeper talks throughout the day, sharing fascinating facts about the animals' behaviors and conservation efforts.
The facility's indoor layout makes it particularly accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, with wide pathways and clear viewing areas at most exhibits. While smaller than big-city zoos, Rainforest Adventures compensates with personal attention from its passionate staff and up-close animal encounters you might miss at larger facilities.
This Sevierville zoo serves as an excellent educational attraction when mountain weather doesn't cooperate, or when you need a break from the outdoor activities in the Smokies. The temperature-controlled environment and easy-to-navigate layout make it an ideal option for families with small children or visitors seeking a more intimate wildlife experience.
Amenities & Features
Don't Miss
Jungle Jim's Live Animal Shows
These daily shows at 1 PM and 3 PM are honestly the best part of the visit. Jungle Jim combines education, magic tricks, and hands-on animal encounters that keep both kids and adults laughing. You'll get to pet animals up close during the show.
Interactive Petting Zoo
The outdoor petting area has friendly goats, sheep, and emus that love attention. For $3, you can buy feed and watch these animals get genuinely excited to see you coming. Our kids could spend an hour here alone.
Talking Cockatoos
These colorful birds live in an open area in the center of the zoo and will actually have conversations with you. They're incredibly social and entertaining - some visitors spend 20 minutes just chatting with them.
Primate Exhibits
The lemur and monkey areas are really well-designed, and if you time it right, you might catch feeding time. We've watched baby primates playing and even got to observe keeper talks where they explain each animal's personality.
Reptile Collection
From poison dart frogs to California King Snakes, the reptile exhibits showcase species you won't see at typical zoos. During keeper talks, you might even get to touch some of the friendlier snakes like Beetlejuice.
Climate-Controlled Comfort
Most of the zoo is indoors and air-conditioned, making it a perfect escape from hot summer days or rainy weather. The flat, accessible layout means everyone can enjoy the full experience without getting worn out.
Know Before You Go
- Arrive early on weekends - it gets crowded after 11 AM
- Bring comfortable shoes and light layers for air-conditioned indoors plus outdoor petting area
- Cash recommended for $3 animal feed, though they sell it at the front desk
- Indoor location makes this great for rainy days when other attractions close
- Fully wheelchair accessible with flat walkways throughout
Opening Hours
Best Times to Visit Rainforest Adventures Zoo
Visit during weekday mornings for the calmest experience.
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours for Rainforest Adventures Zoo?
The zoo is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, 363 days a year. They're only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
How much does Rainforest Adventures Zoo cost?
Adults are $16.99 and children are $9.99. You can find $2-off coupons in local coupon books around town, and animal feed for the petting zoo costs an extra $3.
Do I need reservations for Rainforest Adventures Zoo?
No reservations are required. It's a walk-in attraction, though we recommend arriving early on weekends to avoid crowds.
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