RT National Zoological Park

Expansive urban zoo home to over 1,500 animals from around the world, featuring immersive habitats, daily keeper talks, and the beloved giant pandas.

General Information

Hours:

Grounds: Daily 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (summer) / 4:00 p.m. (winter)
Exhibit Buildings: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (summer) / 4:00 p.m. (winter)
Closed December 25

Fees:

Admission is free
Timed-entry passes required and available online

Pet Policy:

Pets are not allowed

Seasons:

All year; Spring and early summer recommended for active animals and mild weather

Location:

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Website:

nationalzoo.si.edu

How to Get There

From Cleveland Park Metro Station, walk south on Connecticut Avenue NW to the zoo’s main entrance near the lion statues.

Overview

The National Zoological Park (National Zoo) is a free Smithsonian zoo, one of the oldest in the U.S., on 163 hilly acres in Rock Creek, with more than 1,500 animals of nearly 300 species, including elephants, lions, orangutans, and giant pandas. Themed areas include the Asia Trail, Amazonia, and the American Trail, plus the Elephant Trails exhibit, the Great Ape House, and the Kids' Farm. It is also a global research and conservation center.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the National Zoological Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.