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Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Zoo

National Zoological Park, Washington

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8.9^/10

2,468

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Ranked #1 for zoos in Washington
"Great place for a walk because it’s free admission as well."(13 Tips)
"you’ll find features such as the Giant Panda Habitat"(10 Tips)
"Sometimes you'll see the orangutans swinging thru the air"(8 Tips)
"admission is FREE for everyone"(3 Tips)

313 Tips and reviews

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Clarissa LoosFebruary 8, 2015
The zoo is awesome! There are indoor and outdoor exhibits. The indoor ones close at 4:30 in the winter. Admission free, and we paid 22 dollars for parking. We made it through the zoo in about 4 hours.
Black Family ReunionsMarch 27, 2016
This zoo makes for a great afternoon with its unusual selection of animals. The zoo was constructed in a very hilly park, so prepare for a challenging walk through it. Great fun for kids!
Mark PhillipsNovember 24, 2012
Been here 100+ times
ZooLights 2012 ... 500,000 lights, train rides, Santa Paws dancing in a giant, snow globe, an 8-foot LEGO model of the Smithsonian Castle, zoo tubing, glow sticks, hot cider and kettle corn. Yes!
Upvoted Mar 10
Briana BaileyFebruary 26, 2017
I couldn't believe he zoo was free! We were amazed and delighted. Loved the sea lion tank and seeing them from the underwater glass view. Lions, elephants, apes, zebras, beavers, birds, reptiles etc.!
Richard RevillaAugust 14, 2017
Zoo is free parking is not. Street parking can be found. Great to spend the afternoon with the kids but rather hilly.
Megan LillyAugust 15, 2019
From Bei Bei the panda to Moke the gorilla to Redd the orangoutang-- there is no shortness of CUTE at the zoo! Admission is free, so come for a walk in the morning when the animals are most active.
Rachel PlaterJune 24, 2013
If you have a toddler, bring the stroller. This zoo is twice the size of the one in Baltimore. Great place for kids and adults..if you want to save some money car pool...0-3 hrs is $16 for parking...
Eliza WeeksSeptember 6, 2016
Beautiful day! Not as crowded as I had expected. Bathrooms were clean and the animals all fairly active which was good. The Zoo map though is much to be desired. Great day with the kids overall!
Richard EfthimApril 21, 2015
Pandas are the highlight, but the ape house, the cheetahs, ate also pretty cool. Be prepared for walking as the zoo is located on a hill. Best to try to park at the bottom of the hill.
Benjamin DoyleJune 10, 2015
Giant Zoo, easy to get lost without GPS, nothing beats free. even after it closes you can get in to some of the exhibits still. reptile exhibit smells like shit and elephant house is awesome
Eliza WeeksDecember 27, 2017
We had a blast bringing in the holiday season with lights and festivities! This was a fabulous FREE event. Fun winter themed snacks were overly expensive, but the rides were priced perfectly.
Tom MilsonApril 5, 2016
Incredible zoo, such an inspirational and remarkable place. We're so lucky to have the Smithsonian institute to preserve and protect some of our most endangered species.
william verondaApril 2, 2016
Woodley Park is the official Metro stop, but Cleveland Park, the next outbound station, is an easier downhill walk. Also, many restaurants in station area.
Erin RathMay 26, 2016
Love love love this zoo! Plan for lots of walking, and on some steep hills, particularly if you take the metro -- the most sensible way to go, since parking is 20+.
Markus TarjamoNovember 13, 2015
Been here 10+ times
One of the best zoos in the US. Free admission, very photogenic, and a lot to see! A fun activity on any day
Dae JeongAugust 27, 2013
The zoo is one big hill, so don't park near the entrance, but drive to Lot D on the other side. This way you start exploring going uphill and then the walk back to the car will be a nice downhill.
Avinash LokanathAugust 25, 2015
Amazing zoo with all the animals and birds which is very well maintained and you need a while day to see everything :)
JanaOctober 26, 2018
Short walking distances between different exhibits. Nice for a walk in the late afternoon, when it is less crowded.
Liz PomperJune 15, 2013
Been here 50+ times
The food stand near seals and sea lions has sustainable seafood and healthy snacks (fruit cups and frozen grapes). Just had a fantastic smoked tofu roll with pickled fennel.
Allicat22 WAugust 25, 2017
Parking is $22 per car and a decent walk, often no parking. If you can get here another way for less than that, might be worth it. Very nice zoo!
The Ritz-CarltonDecember 12, 2016
Discover why the National Zoo is even more fun during holiday season with Zoolights. The annual event is free of charge and includes live music, winter treats, and more than 500,000 festive lights.
Danielle DaSilvaJuly 13, 2018
Lions, and Tigers, and Pandas, OH MY! Don't forget, admission is FREE for everyone, every day. Great opportunity to pop in and out as needed.
Elisa2 weeks ago
No more pandas. It’s a free zoo but you should still register for online tickets. Good for families as it is very spacious with lots of animals to see
DoraJuly 21, 2010
You've heard about the giant pandas, but did you know there are kid play areas by the farm animal and ground hog exhibits? Powered by ParentsConnect.com
KatFebruary 4, 2022
Terrific place to see all kinds of animals, and the giant pandas are the best!
HarjitApril 24, 2013
We started with the Asia path and it took us a while before we could locate an animal. I've been to many zoos and this one falls short on animals and the ability to view them.
Washington PostSeptember 12, 2013
The latest baby panda at the National Zoo was born Aug. 23, 2013. It's a girl born to Tian Tian and Mei Xiang. Washington pandarazzi will have to wait four months for an in-person look at the cub. Read more
Caitlin LawlerMay 5, 2015
A fun and free activity, perfect for a date. A great zoo with lots of animals, but set up so there's lots of walking to see everything
Will ShafferOctober 7, 2018
Must arrive well before 1000 actually opens at 0800 unlike rest of Smthsonian
JasonMay 26, 2013
Don't go on warm summer weekends. The zoo is free and is beyond crowded. Parking can also run as much as $22, so park on the side streets for free.
ElizabethJune 23, 2015
Not many food options once you get inside and there is lots of ground to cover. Pack a lunch (or pick one up) and find one of the many shady spits to enjoy it mid-visit.
Maria BJanuary 1, 2015
The zoo is so huge and awesome! Lots of animals and exhibits. Make sure u come without a car though, parking os 35$+ 🐺🐼🐒🐯
Tia DingleSeptember 22, 2018
I love taking my kids to this zoo because it is a Day full of fun looking animals and spending time my family. Plus the zoo is huge and free
Denise DuttonFebruary 26, 2014
Psst - the best place to kick back and watch the pandas is along the overlook at, naturally, the Panda Overlook Café. Don't tell anybody.
Josh HigginsOctober 3, 2015
Great zoo, but go when the weather is not too hot or cold. You don't see as many animals out during extreme temperatures.
angela nJune 6, 2010
Been here 25+ times
If you like the zoo but hate the throngs, go early. Zoo grounds open at 6am, and many animals are active then, esp. in summer (See link). Indoor exhibits (and great cats) don't open until 10am though. Read more
Donise CameronApril 22, 2013
Saturdays in spring an summer are just a no no crowded and insane. Early am is best and park panther street if you can. Parking at zoo is very overpriced and bring snacks or be prepared to pay!
Emma McTagueDecember 22, 2015
There's a great, permanently uncrowded exhibit where you can walk around freely with exotic birds like peacocks and Ravens!
David WhitneySeptember 10, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Take Rock Creek Pkwy to the Zoo's back entrance. Lot E fills up last, and it's easier to start at the bottom of the hill so that when you're tired and leaving, you can walk downhill.
Mark PhillipsDecember 4, 2012
Been here 100+ times
Check out the Smithsonian Castle built with 45,000 Lego bricks. It's on display in the visitor center during ZooLights! Read more
Ami H.October 30, 2023
Say goodbye to the pandas, Tian Tian (26), babymama Mei Xiang (25), and their 3-year-old Xiao Qi Ji are leaving for the China Wildlife Conservation Association earlier than planned, by mid-November 23
Julian SiDecember 21, 2018
Seriously awesome experience - Well worth the visit even over winter!!
DHR.comSeptember 9, 2011
Simply known as the National Zoo, this is one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. Here, you’ll find features such as the Giant Panda Habitat, Great Ape House, and Lion/Tiger Hill. The best part? It’s free!
Keith ConverseSeptember 15, 2015
Free admission. Just take the Metro and walk around. Nice in the evening, but most of the animals are resting by then.
Gillian DieboldJune 9, 2019
Go for a few hours just for the Asia Trail to see the zoos biggest attraction
Rico JonesOctober 27, 2012
Very good had fun 1st time for it be a free zoo only spent less then 25 bucks with my family.....love to go back just hate the walking
Lizzie HatfieldMarch 25, 2016
Check out the world famous pandas, Asian elephants, Andean bears, and sea lions! All for free! Avoid during school holidays and weekends if you can.
Byron WilkesDecember 18, 2015
What a wonderful zoo. Also it's totally free!! Buffalo were good to see. Favorite is the reptiles.
Erica BrooksJuly 13, 2013
Get the Premier Membership if you know you're going to visit more than 4 times per year so that you can get free parking.
Lora TuronJuly 20, 2010
Go early...zoo opens at 6am. On a hot day the earlier you go the more animals you will see. Once it gets too hot the animals don't move so much. You will have to wait til 10am to see the indoor exh

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