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Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Zoo

National Zoological Park, Washington

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8.9^/10

2,469

ratings

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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Kayla GailOctober 16, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Use the Cleveland Park metro, then walk downhill instead of using Woodley Park and walking up.
John R. EakinFebruary 20, 2010
Great location for parking at events at the Marriott at Wardman Park hotel... $20 and it includes a shuttle service to the location. Great bargain! ($33 to park at the hotel)
Jennifer DayJune 3, 2013
Be sure and visit the Orangutan crossing. They can swing over the sidewalks!! Pack your lunch. Kids meals run $10.
Rick RoudebushSeptember 10, 2017
Another nice day in the District
Greg BeutlerJuly 2, 2012
Easy peasy train ride from the mall-orange line to red line- 23 min + 5 min walk and youre there
Jennifer AnthonyDecember 23, 2015
Even though zoo entrance is free, parking is $22
Victoria ParkerAugust 29, 2015
There's all of two parking spots so if you plan on driving then maybe plan on not going to the zoo.
Maggie MacGJune 2, 2017
Totally free and great place to see the pandas.
September 13, 2011
The gift shop ladies are very nice. Be sure to go visit Kyle the orangutan!
Amanda WisecarverDecember 22, 2016
Was a very enjoyable time❤
Piyush PardeshiMarch 16, 2015
Best Zoo I've been to till date! Feel bad for some animals though! They are alone in the exhibit!
Shannon M.April 24, 2013
Check out the pandas and the cats. Sometimes you'll see the orangutans swinging thru the air
Mike SmithMay 5, 2013
Amazonia is the best part of the zoo. :)
Shashena SolomonAugust 24, 2016
Great trails, very clean.
Shannon SarinoJune 27, 2013
Come early - fewer crowds and the animals are awake.
Andrea NewlandOctober 13, 2010
The Pandas are adorable :) Free! Boo in The Zoo event is supposed to be fun....not the SanDiego Zoo but still fascinating, metro accesible/Woodley Park.
Amanda CarvalhoNovember 29, 2016
Beautiful lights!!
Mark PhillipsOctober 29, 2012
Been here 100+ times
Boo at the Zoo is always a treat ... lots of treats, in fact!
Narnia FansFebruary 15, 2011
Narnia film stars Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Skander Keynes (Edmund) got to name one of the Smithsonian National Zoo's seven new lion cubs. They named him "Aslan" in honor of the Narnia character. Read more
The Bozzuto GroupAugust 6, 2012
Two words: cheetah cubs. Stop by at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. this summer to see the baby cheetahs playing in their yard.
DonnaDecember 30, 2015
Pandas!!! Zoo lights are cool but will be crowded!
M Squared Real EstateAugust 14, 2011
Free admission, free parking, over 2,000 animals. What's not to love?
Ana BarcelonaAugust 17, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Lions tigers and bears oh my!!
Mike DaughertyJune 16, 2011
If you are going to spend $2 on a map, donate it instead. There are big maps throughout the park.
Kelly O'KeefeApril 16, 2012
The people watching can be just as good as the animal watching.
Camille WrightAugust 13, 2015
Free admission, but kind of disappointing. Not a lot of good animals, more stores.
Anna FaderNovember 28, 2015
Pretty cool to see orangutan swell right above you.
Michael NataleJune 9, 2013
Bottled water - $3 each in Zoo but frz yogurt place across street sells it for 29 cents each
Jeri McCoySeptember 1, 2013
A family of otters with 9 pups!!
Jaya PunethaAugust 17, 2014
Don't miss the big cats!
Eric JawAugust 11, 2014
He sat like this for a while
Joni J.April 17, 2013
If you are a nursing mom the visitors info desk will find you a private place to nurse if you ask
Jason HartMarch 4, 2012
Join FONZ and get free zookies (cookies) for the kids at each visit.
Dustin HedrickOctober 28, 2012
Go to Boo at the Zoo. You have to sign up in advance. They are always sold out at the gate.
Tranita ExcellentJanuary 1, 2016
There are only 3 restrooms throughout the entire park. Go go go.
Liz PomperOctober 29, 2011
Been here 50+ times
Be sure to visit the new Jessie Cohen photography exhibit in the visitor's center. Spectacular.
Zeynep O.March 15, 2016
Best ever zoo I've seen so far.
ShelleyMay 7, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Great place to get engaged if you're animal obsessed like I am!
Anastasia DellaccioMarch 18, 2011
Don't forget to get some homemade all natural gelato at the Dolci Gelati stand!
Wan Mat Ali Wan MamatAugust 25, 2015
All places inside the zoo are very informative
Mike BarkerSeptember 28, 2014
Great Zoo. The pandas rock.
JH H-DOctober 23, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Beautifully maintained zoo, and it’s free! The pandas aren’t always active to mitigate expectations
Brett payneJanuary 19, 2015
Buildings close at 4:30 during the winter
kassie rodreeeegezzzzzzJanuary 14, 2016
Find the Dippin Dots booth that sells beer!
HarjitMay 1, 2013
Easy walk from the Cleveland Park Metro station.
Kim Darwaza, REALTORMay 10, 2011
Boo at the Zoo is fun for the kids. Parking is bad so metro. It gets cold so bundle up.
LeeJanuary 8, 2020
The only downside - no giraffes at this zoo.
Tom HamlynAugust 17, 2013
Don't drive. Parking is terrible and fills up fast. Take the metro.
Will DevineOctober 9, 2012
If you can't find the pandas outdoors, check inside the giant panda house.
BC 😎🎶April 22, 2011
Expansive and hilly, get ready for a workout. Nice for family outing.

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