Sunset Safari Offers Guests Culinary Delights and An Evening Communing With Animals

The Nashville Zoo’s Sunset Safari ranks among the city’s most popular animal-centric events. The setting, designed as a manicured walk in the park with exotic and endangered animal habitats tucked around every corner, creates an inviting backdrop for a Friday evening. Add to that a wide selection of culinary delicacies presented by local eateries — and the ability to support the zoo and its conservation efforts — and the evening becomes even more special.

As guests meandered down the zoo’s winding paths, top Nashville restaurants offered  up an array of temptations. Two Ten Jack presented one of its signature dishes, crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, and STK welcomed guests with beef tartare. The list of restaurants was vast — Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Superica, Punk Wok, Limo Peruvian Eatery and more — and the dishes felt wholly separate in taste and presentation, making every bite unique. 

Many guests found themselves in Festival Field, where singer-songwriters Dani Stacy and Gabriel Broussard filled the air with beautiful music. New Boots Line Dancing got everyone toe tapping, and a Dolly Parton impersonator from Yankee Girl Entertainment thrilled the crowd. 

As always, the zoo’s animal ambassadors stole the show. A friendly goat named Goose stood at the zoo’s entrance, welcoming gentle pats on the back from guests. Hamish the Scottish Highland calf — who, at 9 months old, has beautifully settled into his ambassadorship — greeted guests in Festival Field with his calmly curious nature. A caracal, a wild cat with distinctive ear tufts, prowled the VIP reception, safely corralled by her keepers and several meaty treats. 

Guests waited long after sunset to head home — a sign of an evening enjoyed by all.