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Smithsonian's National Zoo

Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, USA

"Grounds: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admittance 4 p.m.) | 7 p.m. closing in summer* Exhibit Buildings: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 6 p.m. closing in summer* (Amazonia opens at 10 a.m. year round) Dining & Shopping: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 5 p.m. closing in summer* Visitor Center: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 6 p.m. closing in summer* *Summer hours begin March 15 and run through Sept. 30. Exact dates may vary each year"

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museums, outdoor-adventures

Lions and Tigers and Pandas....oh my! 

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is wonderful with a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits. We love making it a day and cruising around the beautiful, well-shaded pathways to explore everything it has to offer.   The most popular animals at the zoo tend to be the pandas, lions, giraffes, monkeys, sea lions, and tigers. The Kids Farm is also always a favorite with the little ones. Kids are often encouraged to touch the animals (donkeys, cows, alpacas etc) and the zookeepers often have the animals "playing", which is always entertaining.
 
The zoo provides online activity sheets that you can print out in advance. These activity sheets keep kids interested and excited about looking at and learning about all of the animals and their exhibits.
 
You'll need the entire day if you want to see every exhibit but can always pick and choose if you have less time.  Earlier and later in the day are the least busy times. The Cleveland Park station is the nearest metro stop and is less than a ten minutes walk to the zoo. If you didn't pack a lunch but don't want to get food in the zoo (there are lots of kids options but it tends to be expensive), Coppi's Organic Restaurant is a short walk away and serves delicious Italian food. 
 
There are several annual events worth checking out that include: Easter Monday, ZooFari, Brew at the Zoo, Conservation Discovery Day, Boo at the Zoo, and ZooLights
 
 
 

Features

Good for All Ages Zoo Animals
Thoughtfully captured by:
Caitlin Iseler
Caitlin Iseler, happyly founder and CEO, was born in New York and is one of eight children. Her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and the chance to sit at one table with her favorite 40 people. Caitlin, her outdoor loving husband, Thomas, and daughter, Hanah, live in Virginia Beach. She is also blessed to be a bonus mom to 2 incredible humans, Max & Elizabeth. Being a mom has always been something she dreamt of and it brings her joy beyond measure. Before starting happyly, Caitlin spent 15 years working in executive search with technology companies, most recently with Korn Ferry. In what seems like a lifetime ago, she attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the National & ACC Championship Teams, a gift that keeps giving.
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