The National Zoo is free. Parking is fee-based.
Parking Rates | |
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Hours | Fee |
3 or less | $6 |
4 to 5 | $8 |
5+ | $10 |
Out by 10 am | $1 |
In after 4:30 | $3 |
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Weather permitting, the Zoo is open every day except December 25.
HOURS | |
---|---|
Buildings | Grounds |
Year-round | April 15 - Oct. 15 8 am - 8 pm |
9 am to 4:30 pm, unless otherwise posted | Oct. 16 - April 4 8 am - 6 pm |
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General Information Recording - 202-673-4800
Information Desk - 202-673-4717
Guided Tours - 202-673-4955
(Available on a limited basis, weekend mornings only, with advance reservations.)
Zoo Park Police - 202-673-4731
(In stormy weather, call here to see if the Zoo is
open.)
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The Zoo is located in northwest Washington, D.C., at 3001 Connecticut Avenue.
By subway Take the Red Line to the Woodley Park/Zoo or Cleveland Park stop.
By bus L2 and L4 buses stop at the Connecticut Avenue entrance; H2 and H4 buses stop at Harvard Street.
By car
Parking is
very limited. From May to September lots may be filled by 10:30
am. Parking fee is calculated by the hour.
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Pollinarium - dedicated to the complex interactions between animals and plants.
Think Tank - expand your mind while exploring the nature of thinking in the animal world. Our orangs are becoming computer literate.
Komodo dragons - the first to breed in the western world.
Golden Lion Tamarins - free-roaming in the Valley (summer only).
Orang utan Transportation System - orangs swing from building to building on overhead cables.
Heritage gardens and wetlands
- focus on cultural uses of plants and attract many wild birds.
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You may have to wait to get into these 3 exhibits.
We regulate the flow of visitors to prevent crowding and to help
you discover the BioPark in depth. Groups are encouraged to pre-register
with FONZ to confirm admission (202) 673-4955. Closing times for
these exhibits vary.
Amazonia - Visit the Zoo's re-creation of a tropical river and forest.
Reptile Discovery Center - Investigate reptiles and amphibians up-close.
Invertebrate Exhibit -
Explore everything from ants to corals to octopuses. Open Wednesday
through Sunday.
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FEEDINGS AND INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS | |
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10:30 am | Marabou Stork Feeding - Behind the Bird House |
11:00 am | Panda Feeding - Panda Yard |
11:00 am | Meet-a-Kiwi - In front of the Bird House (M,W,F) |
11:30 am | Elephant Training - Elephant Yard |
11:30 am | Sea Lion Demonstration - Sea Lion Pool |
3:00 pm | Panda Feeding - Giant Panda House, Inside |
There are demos throughout the day in the Invertebrate Exhibit and Think Tank. Ask an Interpreter for the next event. | |
Stop in at the Information Booths for updates, as schedules can change. |
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Don't miss a new way to enjoy the Zoo, the Audio Safari Tour. Listen to Zoo keepers and curators. Your tour is self-guided; you can start at any location.
Though the Audio Tour is no longer available at the "Real" Zoo, you can still find the audio tour on the "Virtual" Zoo. Just follow this link.
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The Mane Restaurant and Zoo Bookstore are open all
year. Others are open seasonally. Don't miss the Bookstore, one
of Washington's best natural history book and gift shops. It's
in the Education Building.
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There are a limited number of parking spaces set
aside for disabled visitors. They are in Lots B and D. At an information
booth you can get a copy of our Guide for Disabled Visitors.
You can also borrow a wheelchair, when available.
Check out our special wheelchair guide to the Zoo, "Get Rolln'."
Additional information is available on our Access Page.
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There are strollers available at the Information
Booths. You can rent single or double strollers. A deposit is
required.
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Join Friends of the National Zoo and you'll receive
free parking, a 20% discount at the shops and Bookstore, and a
free gift. You can sign up at any information booth or shop. Ask
about other benefits. All profits support the Zoo's education
and research programs. To join by phone call (202) 673-4960. Tell
them you heard about it on the Zoo's Web Site, they like to keep track.
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"In the summer, it is hard to find parking after 9:30 am."
"Take Metrobus or Metrorail if you can. The Woodley Park-Zoo Station, on the Red Line, is a five to seven minute walk up hill. But here's a secret, it's a level walk from the Cleveland Park Station."
"The best time to visit is in the morning; the animals take a siesta when the sun is high."
"Get here by 10 a.m. if you want to catch the animal demonstrations."
"Tours get booked-up months in advance in the Summer."
"Don't bring your pets. Only personal assistance animals are allowed. Don't bring your pet and leave him in the car, heat kills."
"There are plenty of benches and grassy areas for picnics. You can bring your own, or buy food and drinks at the Zoo."
"The Zoo is very hilly so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a walk."
"Use the water fountains in the summer and put sunscreen and hats on the wee little ones."
"It takes between three and four hours to tour
the Zoo, so set a realistic goal. Use the benches when you are
tired. A rest stop is a great time to sit and observe animal behavior."
"If it is rainy, remember, most of the indoor exhibits are
along Olmsted Walk."
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