Smithsonian's National Zoo
Columbia Heights—sample rating
Quadell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute sits on 163 acres in Rock Creek Park's Woodley Park neighborhood. It is famous for its giant pandas and also features Asia Trail, Africa Trail, the American Trail, and Amazonia, home to species from sloth bears to sea lions to electric eels. Admission has always been free, but the Zoo requires all visitors, including infants, to reserve a free timed entry pass in advance due to high demand. Parking passes are a separate paid add-on ($30 in advance, $40 same-day). Some areas, including the Africa Trail and Arabian Leopard exhibit, are periodically under renovation, so check the Zoo's website for current closures before visiting.
Why visit
A world-class, free zoo with beloved giant pandas and a scenic, walkable hillside campus in Rock Creek Park.
Best time to visit
Reserve free entry passes online in advance; arrive early morning when animals are most active and before crowds build.
Recommended duration
Allow about 3 hours (180 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 08:00-18:00
Summer (Mar 15-Sep 14) grounds 8am-6pm, last entry 5pm; winter (Sep 15-Mar 14) grounds 8am-4pm, last entry 3pm. Free entry passes required for all visitors; closed Dec 25.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
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Stay near Columbia Heights
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