The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a must-see for a lot of people when they visit Washington D.C. It’s world famous pandas attract kids of all ages. So, you’re planning a visit to the National Zoo with kids, what do you need to know?
National Zoo Location
The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW in Washington D.C. The entrance is conveniently located between 2 Metro stops; Woodley Park-Zoo and Cleveland Park. Tip: Don’t get off the Metro at Woodley Park. If you do, you will walk uphill the entire way. Stay on the Metro for one more stop and get off at Cleveland Park. Your walk is pretty flat. When you are leaving, walk to the Woodley Park Metro station. The walk is downhill. You will thank me!
There are 5 parking lots at the zoo with extremely limited parking. The lots fill up quickly in the spring and summer. If you choose to park, there is a $25 flat fee. Street parking can also be difficult to find.
Hours & Admission
From mid-March through the end of September the zoo is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. October 1 through mid-March they are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Building and visitor center hours vary. The zoo is open every day of the year, except December 25.
Admission to the National Zoo is free. Maps of the zoo can be found online or you can purchase one at the visitor center for $5. We purchased one and were quite impressed with the glossy guidebook that we were given. It was worth the $5.
National Zoo Exhibits
The zoo itself is on a large hill. The entrance is on the top of that hill. As you wander back to the Kids’ Farm you’ll be walking mostly downhill. All that goes down, must come back up! Unfortunately, the zoo does not have “loops”. So it is really hard to avoid climbing uphill, at least a little.
Tip: I recommend checking out the Panda Habitat first thing in the morning. The pandas were very active and eating during our morning visit. Plus, it is not as crowded. The Great Ape House is another spot that gets very crowded, so go early.
We started off our day by exploring the Upper Zoo, which included the Panda Habitat, Asia Trail, Cheetah House, and Elephant Trails. The Bird House was closed for renovations. This area also has the Conservation Carousel. Tickets are $3.50 per person.
Then we headed down Olmsted Walk to the Lower Zoo. This section has the Small Mammal House, Great Apes, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Great Cats. Tip: Make sure to look up in this area. You might just see the orangutan crossing on the O-Line. We got to watch a mama and baby cross while we ate lunch in the Great Meadow.
Next, we started our journey back uphill through the Valley. This area of the zoo includes the American Trail, Elephant Outpost, Amazonia, and the Kids’ Farm.
Children can meet farm animals up close at the Kids’ Farm. Or they can play on the Me & The Bee Playground and discover how important they are to keeping bee habitats healthy.
National Zoo Dining
The National Zoo offers a wide variety of dining options. Kid-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices are often available. Some of the diners and cafes are open seasonally, so prepare accordingly. Tip: As I often do, I recommend bringing your own food. There are no restrictions on bringing in outside food. I love that they allow this!
National Zoo With Kids
The zoo is filled with things to keep kids occupied. Animal training, feeding demonstrations, and keeper talks happen throughout the day. Check out times when you arrive or online. Kids can also play like a prairie dog as they crawl through tubes near Lemur Island.
Seasonally, kids of all ages can cool off in the Tide Pool along the American Trail or take a ride on the National Zoo Choo Choo. The 3-5 minute train ride is for kids aged 2-11 and is $3.00 per person.
I hope the tips I have shared help you make the most out of your time at the National Zoo. If you have already visited the Zoo, what are your tips? Share them with me in the comments below.
Further Reading
More to do in Washington D.C.
- 4 Days with Kids in Washington D.C.
- Museum of the Bible with Kids
- National Postal Museum & Union Station with Kids
- DC’s National Building Museum with Kids
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not compensated for this post.
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