Here are our six top tips on visiting the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The National Zoo is free. This Zoo may not be the largest or grandest in America, but it packs a powerful punch!
Visit the National Zoo of Washington DC with these Top Tips
1. The National Zoo is a parking lot, and you can’t park or drive there.
Parking costs more than $20 per visit. Parking is not only expensive but also very limited. If you’re willing to pay for a place, you might not have a choice if you arrive on a busy day.
The red line of the Metro is a much better way to get to the National Zoo. Always walk downhill. You can use the Cleveland Park Station to reach the National Zoo. It’s a downhill walk. As you leave the Zoo, walk downhill until you reach the Woodley Park Station. It is particularly useful if you have a stroller. No one wants to push a stroller up a steep hill.
2. The National Zoo offers free shuttles for visitors to use.
The National Zoo was built on a hill, which most visitors are unaware of until they get there. When you walk around the Zoo, you will be walking up and down hills to go from one exhibit to another. Pack comfortable walking shoes.
The National Zoo operates a shuttle service throughout the day. If you are tired and at the bottom, you can wait at a shuttle bus stop, and a bus will take you to the top. The shuttle service is free.
3. Where to park your stroller
You will likely have at least one stroller if you plan to visit the National Zoo with children. You can easily pack all your necessities in a stroller. You will see exhibits encouraging you to leave the stroller outside. You should have a small bag with your valuables in it to take along with you when you park your stroller.
4. Skip the Zoo Food
The food at the National Zoo is excellent and has been for many years. However, the best restaurants are located outside of the Zoo. You can either bring your lunch or dine at nearby restaurants like Nando’s and Duke’s Counter if you’re well-organized. Duke’s is located across the street from the National Zoo’s front gate on Connecticut Avenue and makes for a good lunch spot. Connecticut Avenue is home to ten restaurants, so you have plenty of choices.
5. Visit the National Zoo in the early morning.
The National Zoo opens earlier than the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall, which opens at 10 a.m. The National Zoo opens at 8 a.m. and exhibits at 9 a.m. It is cooler and more active early in the day.
If you want to see wildlife, we recommend that you go at dawn or dusk. The animals nap during the midday heat. The National Zoo is a great place to visit during summer because there are misters all over the place that kids will love. A splash pad is another attraction that’s hard to miss. It’s located near the sea lion exhibit.
6. Special Events to Check Out
The National Zoo holds special events all year round. ZooLights is the most famous and takes place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. ZooLights gives you the chance to visit the Zoo in its nighttime glory. The Zoo is beautifully lit, but it can be cold. Bring hand warmers and perhaps a thermos full of cocoa.
Boo at the Zoo is an event that takes place in October. Trick or treating is allowed at the National Zoo. You won’t want to miss this experience if you are around.
