Reviews of National Zoo (Zoo)

Adele O

One of the best zoos! This zoo is well maintained and absolutely free! There is no entrance fee but they do accept any kind of donations. If you need a map, it's $5 but totally worth it because there is coupons inside and also saves you time . The zoo parking is $25 flat rate but we were able to use the 2 hours free street parking which was great. Animals are well taking care of and fun to watch. There is a lot of interesting animals to see . The zoo is very big and also have a carousel rides! Cheap Fun for the whole family !

Mathieu Fecteau

Beautiful park in the middle of the city. Lots of nice paths in the forest. Some indoor visits to get a bit of AC, reptiles house, gorillas home, Amazonia, etc. Some time it is hard to have a clear view on the animal in their natural habitat, we couldn't see the tigers, pandas or some other animals. But I guess that is a risk visiting a zoo. Being a Smithsonian park, it is also free. You can get the map and the areas description for 5$, we gave 10$

Ryan Macy

We live nearby, with two kids under three years old. I can bring them here, have a great visit, and get them home in time for afternoon naps. I still occasionally find exhibits here I've never seen, and I know that when the kids are bigger, there's enough to keep us busy for an all-day outing.

Karen-John Wisniewski

Free entrance so $25 for close parking was worth it (especially families). We saved a lot of money by packing a cooler and going out to the car at lunch, bringing it in to eat. Only treat (besides parking) was an exorbitant $5 ice cream cookie sandwich in a vending machine. Ouch! The animals were so interesting and the zoo volunteers and staff very helpful answering questions. Pandas VERY popular so find out when they come outside for good view.

Andrew Penniston

100% Free to enter and see app exhibits. Animals are fairly active and provide an interesting look into mammals, reptiles, and birds from all over the world. If visiting DC and you enjoy zoos, it's definitely worth a visit

Jay Fischer

Great free zoo to see in the city. The pandas are the #1 attraction. The orangutan area and suspended rope bridge that goes over the pathways is a great addition. Be careful in the drop zoo when they are passing overhead.

R Haywood

The pandas are out in the exhibit most days. You see them from the asian trial or from the panda cafe overlook. The bird house is closed for construction when I went. I'm looking forward to checking it out when it reopens. The elephants are awesome, a must see at the zoo. There are plenty of places to see them from various trails or in the pachyderm house.

Carey Tso

They had a dinosaur theme going on when we went. It was amazing! We only walked half the zoo but it was still good. There's a free shuttle to get you from parking lot a area to d area. Free admission. Parking is $25, but it might be worth getting the membership if you plan to go throughout the year because then parking is free. Enjoy!

Angel C.

My daughter liked it. I would go again with my other 2 daughters. It's very much worth it. We got to see all the animals AND THE ENTRY IS FREE!!! I think you pay for parking though, but i walked from the hotel to the zoo. I had my car in the garage that night and didn't really want to pay twice for parking, especially when the zoo was in walking distance. It's a nice size zoo, my daughter made the mistake and went in sandals. Bring your sneakers. It's a nice zoo... A lot of walking. We went early, but it seems like it was better to be there late. That's when we got to see all the animals on our way out.

Johnny Schultz

The kids love this place and there is alot here for the whole family. I believe they take good care of the animals. We see the same animals the last 3 years so webgetbuse to seeing them and their growth. We pack our own food and picnic. Always holiday crafts and seasonal venues.

Samar m

i can call it a beautiful big park, comfortable place for animal, clean place. wheelchairs , scooters are available for rent. the main problem is the parking. they are not allowing people to enter and they said its full. but when you go in all empty. i have suggestion if they can provide shuttle to the parking lots.

Dawn Miskar

It was so hot most of the animals were in hiding. I was cranky and becoming dehydrated. The water costs a fortune. An adult hogging the sprayers makes me look bad. I work in education. Summer's all I have for these trips. So the one thing the zoo could change to make it better, lower the prices of ice water and ice cream, and what not when it's so hot the animals are hiding. The water in the fountains is hot. It was burning at The Land Of Little Horses in Gettysburg but they were selling cold bottles of water for $1. Everyone was happy and not worried about dying from dehydration.

Jp Bouchard

Nice clean place, animals well cared for and staff is very engaging (but not overbearing). Plan a full day lots to see. Minus side...every teaching display had something broken...

junksquad1958

Built on a hill be prepared to walk but worth it my highlight was the lions. Grey back gorilla and naturally panda. Best time to see them is around lunch feeding time.

Chelsea Brown

Very fun! The Lemur Island was a hit with my kids (one of the lemurs looked like an older PBS show Zoboomafoo). A lot of the animals weren't visible that day due to the heat, but our family will come back sometime soon.

Justin Mayer

My 3 year old loves this zoo! Our favorites are the elephants, pandas, and big cats! 3yo was not a fan of Amazonia as some of the strange looking animals were a little unsettling to young ones.

Tina Songer

Not too big, not to small. Free admission. $25 parking. Interesting things for all ages, from the children's farm section where you can touch, to dinosaur statues that "spit", to a splash zone warning where the chimpanzees can make you feel like the exhibit, there are interesting twists everywhere. Rides and food are pricey if you're not a member, but with free admission and many parking sections with shuttles, you could easily pack your own food and drinks if you wanted and go back for a break/lunch.

Melissa Salinas

Beautiful zoo. Lots of animals and learning centers for the kids. The only thing that is a pain is the parking. Sometimes it will take almost an hour to get into a parking spot and there is always a walk to get into the zoo. Lots of walking but so many great things to see. You could definitely spend the entire day here.

Cliff Van Scyoc

The zoo was great. My family thoroughly enjoyed it, I was a 90 degree days with humidity. We should have planned to park below and walk to the top early and walk downhill when exhausted. The pandas are at the top and the children's park at the bottom. Food there is eh... pack a picnic and eat there. The food trucks there are better than facility food. Go early in the am to see the pandas.

Kelly Reyes

We love this zoo! My family lives about 45 minutes outside of DC and we love visiting the National Zoo. The membership for parking alone is worth it but if you have young children, the perks of free carousel rides pays for itself quite fast! The animals seem loved and well cared for and we love watching the animals doing their enrichment activities. Wear comfortable shoes because the grounds are huge and hilly! The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon. When it's peak temperatures in the afternoon, the animals are usually sleepy.

Rajesh Bhargava

The best thing about this zoo is that it is free. There is good collection of wild animals that are kept in open. maps are located at various points making it easy to navigate around.

Oliver Ewert

The main exhibits are awesome but some of the smaller exhibits / less "important" animals are quite run down. Many of the animals just look really bored. Still a really cool place to visit and the only free zoo I've ever visited!

Nancy B.

Some inside enclosures seem way too small for the animals and many displays were without animals. The docent in the mammal house was very interesting, but security and other staff out on the grounds were very rude and unhelpful as seems the general rule for the non docent and non volunteer staff throughout the Smithsonian museum system. The pandas were wonderful!

Junebug Pancakes

Vast majority of exhibits had nothing in them or couldn't see any of the animals. The animals we did see were pretty cool but were few and far between. Exhibits were also dirty and seemed poorly attended to compared to other zoos I've been to. Indoor attractions were interesting and a great way to cool off on a super hot day. Staff was rude in every instance we had with them.

Amber Philbrook

It was great to see the lions, panda, and many other animals! The dinosaurs were cool to see. Could use more parking though. We had to use a parking "garage" that we paid for separately and had to walk a bit of a distance. Free admission to the park is an added bonus!

Thao Huynh

Always fun to visit and see the animals! The mist helps with the hot humid weather. Plenty of water fountains! A great place to go for free minus the parking ($25 flat rate fee) though you can always find free parking outside of the zoo.

Chusa Silwimba

I highly recommend this Zoo, they have a Great collection of animals, it’s the place to go with your family, especially the young ones. Elephants, lions, snakes, Zebras, orangutans, Silverbacks, panda, tiger, tortoise, bison, and many many more. The staff and volunteers were also a great help. It was worth the time.

wayne leebowitz

Call to make sure the zoo animals are on exhibit. It is free so I guess you can't complain. But more than half of the animals we went to see were not on exhibit. No tiger, no panda, and at least 6 other exhibits were closed. Warning it is a steep walk for anyone that is not physically fit.

Victoria Teller

Love the atmosphere and all the incredible animals! You can bring in your own food and drink too which is a huge $$ saver! Definitely pay to reserve parking ahead of time - it's worth the small extra charge for a better spot.

Bassam A

Awesome park with lots of interesting animals and very helpful guides. The enclosures are all spacious and provide considerable freedom for the animals, in addition to lots of facts about the animals always present everywhere on the premises. Worth the visit if you're an animal lover. It's also a treat for kids. Recommended.

Sharon Kotovsky

Great place to walk and talk to the animals. It is a bit hilly so come prepared for some exercise! Easy pay parking or free for FONZ members.

Dylan Kolson

Lots of exhibits didn’t have any animals at the time we visited but the zoo is free and parking was easy. Easy walk to close by restaurants for lunch. Zoo was clean and staffed with helpful people.

Leah Gonzalez

Great place! Prepare to walk because it takes a toll on you. Bring your own water and snacks or be prepared to pay high prices for everything. It's clean and some newly added spots. I suggest using the bathroom at the Kids Farm. Very modern and clean.

Mike Rosenke

Beautiful zoo. Bring good shoes, lots of walking but well worth it. The orangutans are allowed to move freely from one enclosure to another on overhead ropes, check it out. Super cool. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We stayed near the zoo, but there is a Subway station a short walk from the entrance. Give yourself time do it right. You won't regret it.

Kunal Gosrani

Of all the Smithsonian stuff to do for free, their collection and ability to cater to all ages is wonderful. Our little one was less interested in all the animals but we had a great time. Huge huge huge park but all very nicely organized with plenty of rest stops. Take your own food or buy something there. A full day is not enough. Love this place and a must visit!

Ali Hammons-Mygrants

Very nice. Shaded with great views to the animals. Both indoor and outdoor viewing for some animals. Definitely worth city traffic to visit. For those who have accessibility needs consider a wheel chair or motorized wheelchair. The park has many hills, some slightly steep. It does have many resting places as well, which is great.

Jackson Wood

The National Zoo is great. They have a great variety of animals and lots of information for learning. The zoo food is good albeit over priced (but what do you expect from a FREE zoo). The entire zoo is a hill so if you want to see the whole thing you should be prepared to get a workout. Lastly, I HIGHLY suggest making time for the small mammal house, they are adorable and its inside so you can get out of the weather!

Karen Anderson

Helpful workers! The pandas were magical. I loved watching all the new babies that were born recently. Not as big as the Bronx zoo but worth your time.

Harry Alexander

My kids are grown up with this Zoo. I have been to other countries a lot, this Zoo is being great comparing to others. This place is huge. Some of them like to walk some of them are not. However, get the comfy shoes!! you are going to walk a lot. You'll come across some great exhibits. You'll see some beautiful animals and their handlers are very knowledgeable

Harry Alexander

My kids are grown up with this Zoo. I have been to other countries a lot, this Zoo is being great comparing to others. This place is huge. Some of them like to walk some of them are not. However, get the comfy shoes!! you are going to walk a lot. You'll come across some great exhibits. You'll see some beautiful animals and their handlers are very knowledgeable

Harmony Andrews

Very disappointed. This being the national park doesn't have very many animals. Not only that but when you go when the park is opening they don't have anything ready not the enclosures, not the animals, not even the shops or Cafe's. We enjoyed it because all the little kids carried about was the animals and that made us smile. Until we got to a shop. We are on a vacation and each kid has a $100 to spend. My little sister found a hat that was perfect. It had the name of the zoo as a reminder we have been there. It also had animals on it so she really wanted it. On the tag it said $11, my sister had $13 left so it was perfect. My mom went to go pay and when the hat got scanned it read $15 my mom asked if this was an accident in the system or something, but it wasn't. They said someone must have put on the wrong sticker and this was the actual price. At this point my sister started to cry, worried she wouldn't be able to get the hat. My mom began to console her and turn back to the cashiers. "So you're telling me this is a normal thing in your establishment? You don't have a problem with this?" They shugged and said sorry. Luckily for my sister (and the cashier) my mom was in a good mood and just wanted to get out of there. So she bought the hat and other things and left without another word. But let me tell you if it is ever up to me we are NEVER coming back again.

Chuck Page

Zoo is free. Parking is not. Once you get over the $25 fee for parking on premise (if you can get a spot at all), you'll have an awesome time at one of our true national treasures. The zookeepers and staff are knowledgeable and mostly good natured, astutely answering questions coming from kids and adults alike. We were given very valuable advice that I will pass on here. Park in lot D or E, walk to the southern entrance, then take the shuttle up the hill to the northern entrance - you'll be walking downhill all day instead of up. Also, know that the Pandas are normally in for the day by 2pm; make sure you plan for that if they are on your agenda.

John Kim

Very good zoo for kids. Nice selection of animals and amenities. Strategically placed water sprinkler was a nice touch on a hot day like when i visited. Only down side was small parking lot that filled up quick so i had to park on the street. But can't complain too much since they were all free!

Michaela Madden

I saw my favourite animal there. The elephant. They had other unique animals. It was a great learning experience. The under and over shark pool was awesome.

Michael D'Angelo

One of the best zoos in the country. Being that it is free, it's a great spot for a day trip. Strolling through early in the morning is really cool

Lindsay Neam

I love this zoo and absolutely recommend checking it out. The only negatives I have are pretty simple or something that can't be changed easily. The zoo is on a hill so there will be some strenuous walking. Many of the exhibits are new and look great but it was hard to go into the great ape house. How is it that one of the smartest animals at the zoo have the smallest enclosures? They look so sad inside of those cement walls and it made it hard to watch. The parking was also a nightmare. Some lots are for members only (which is a great idea) but the others are rough. I saw tons of spaces in one lot but the attendant said the lot was full and to move on. It was a very busy day so I understand lots being full, so this isn't too bad... especially since the metro is so close by. Other than those small factors, it's really a great zoo!

Win Iden

I've visited many zoos and aquariums, this is one of the best. Admission is free, but it's not a cheap day out. Parking, concessions, everything is priced at a premium. This isn't surprising, nor does it degrade the experience. Be prepared for a lot of walking, most of which is on a fairly easy grade. There is plenty of shade and seating for folks who want to take a rest.

Jeff Wachter

The National Zoo is GREAT. The kids had so much fun seeing the gorillas and elephants. Awesome that it's free. And they had good food truck/snack options.

Alex Navarro

Nice park. Good variety of animals. They have finally opened some of the paths that have been closed for construction and it’s much easier to get around. The membership is definitely worth it if you live nearby since parking for the day is $25, no matter how long you stay.

RaNubis

Great for the kids, food is a little expensive if you have many children. Be prepared because the zoo has lots of hills and walking. Nice place to sit and relax too.

Viktoria Mejía Rojas

The zoo is quite nice. Visit with family and friends: it's free! Also, you can bring snacks and drinks, there are several places to sit down and enjoy a break from the walk.

Ete Ogor

This zoo is lovely and has a lot of animals from around the world! All the animals look well taken care of. I especially love the Panda section. I also appreciate the fact that the park is free. It's a lovely way to spend some time with family and friends.

Alexandra Sanchez

I love this Zoo!! Animals are well taken care of and seem happy. You can see the Asia trail with all kinds of interesting animals such as the pandas, the red panda, a large group of elephants. All this area has been renovated and animals have more space. You can see a toddler panda with his parents and a baby orangutan with mom. Great place for kids and family

Will Koehrsen

One of the best zoos I've ever been to. There are countless exhibits to explore, and you could easily spend the entire day here with the family (this is a great place for children or adults of all ages). I was impressed with how well-taken care of the animals are and the conservation work of the zoo (previously I had not been a big supporter of zoos, but a trip here proved to me that a well-run zoo can do a lot of good for animal species). I'd recommend taking the highlights tour (which in my case was run by a very enthusiastic volunteer) and checking out the numerous keepers talks and demonstrations. There is a lot to see at the Smithsonian National Zoo, so plan a couple hours if you want to try and get to it all. Overall, I'd highly recommend the zoo for families, and think that anyone would enjoy it, even if you don't normally consider yourself a zoo person - it's worth the visit.

Toni Ramirez

I loved this zoo! Lots of animals and they had the dinosaur animatronics when i went. One of the reason I went was to see the animatronics and I was impressed. Some dinosaurs shot water from their mouth and the kids enjoyed it. I was also lucky enough to see the pandas during feeding time. If you go to the feeding show make sure to get there early because it tends to get crowded. There is a van that comes around every few minutes and takes you directly to the pandas. Tigers and lions are also big attractions and shouldn't be missed, very cool to see one in real life. Bring walking shoes and prepare to walk a lot. There's small concession stands, vending machines, food trucks, gift shops, and etc.

Quentin Bendtsen

I'm from San Diego and I couldn't believe that a zoo like this was free! The sheer amount of animals and information on display was amazing. Great outing for the whole family. I'd arrive early because it is a tad small in certain sections for the amount of people that begin showing up in the afternoon. The new dinosaur section was also fun to see around the park and in the live show going on.

Aesha

Great experience! Free admission! Cool down places if you get overheated. Water and soda $3.00 which is cheaper than I expected. Food and icecream trucks in various places. We enjoyed it!

Ali Hammons-Mygrants

Very nice. Shaded with great views to the animals. Both indoor and outdoor viewing for some animals. Definitely worth city traffic to visit. For those who have accessibility needs consider a wheel chair or motorized wheelchair. The park has many hills, some slightly steep. It does have many resting places as well, which is great.

sophia merino

I am a DC native so I absolutely love going to the zoo. but my favorite time of all is the DC zoo lights. It looks like a winter wonderland. It's a great fun activity to do FOR FREE in DC around the holidays with your family!

Claudette Waddingham

Beautiful park setting. The reptile house was very well done. Be prepared, as with any zoo, for lots of walking. Very few place to purchase food and drinks and parking is limited. We were very disappointed in the cleanliness of the elephant and primate enclosures. The smell of urine was overpowering. Very sad.

Rebecca Coelho

Our family absolutely loves the National Zoo. We are FONZ members and try to visit regularly. Despite having visited countless times, we enjoy every trip. Parking in their lots is usually $25 for the day. Members park for free, making a membership worth the cost after roughly 4 visits. My best advice is to park in Lot A, work yourself down the hill, then use the free shuttle back up. A is usually the first to fill so if you're stuck with E, use that same shuttle to the top of the hill and finish back at your car. There are 2 children's play areas, one near the Prarie dogs and the other near the petting zoo. My children are 6 and 7, and still ask to visit every trip to the zoo. I prefer the one by the petting zoo, which is bee-themed, because it is located super close to restrooms and it has a waterbottle filling station. Check their website in advance for daily schedules and special notices, particularly if the pandas are your main objective. They close down the inside observatory frequently and their website will let you know when feedings occur. This is my favorite place in DC without question, both with kids and by myself. I really don't see myself tiring of it any time in the near future.

River Spirit

Absolutely loved this place. I got some really cool things from the gift shop. Almost all of the animals were out and i was able to get some really good pictures. Best of all, the whole thing is free!!

SGP Versluis

Well kept, clean zoo with free admission! Parking available at a flat rate of 25 bucks on site and has a few food outlets and enough restrooms along the paths. Recommended if you have the spare time to drop by.

Maggie Glen

This is one amazing zoo, it's huge. get ready for a lot of walking, but you'll come across some great exhibits. You'll see some beautiful animals and their handlers are very knowledgeable

Nick Albina

The zoo was much larger than we thought. Definitely give yourself a full day to explore. The shows are really good in the theatre too. Well worth it, especially considering the park admission is free anyway. The map leaves a lot to be desired, and the sinage needs some work. It's hard to find things. Overall, we had a pretty good experience. The pandas are worth the trip alone.

Jocelyn Glenn

We visited DC for the day and decided to stop at the zoo and it ended up being a great decision. Admission to the zoo is free. The zoo is large and spacious so it doesn’t feel too crowded. There are many exhibits to see and the exhibits are indoor and outdoor. Would definitely recommend making this a stop if you’re in DC

Elizabeth Pecharka

Easy and quick entry into the park, toilets and park we're clean. Bag check was quick and painless with a toddler in my arms. We were able to see an animal in every exhibit, which doesn't always happen at a zoo. Will definitely go back! We took the metro from Shady Grove and it took only 30 minutes and we didn't have to worry about parking. There is a cute shopping center at Cleveland Park to use the bathroom and grab some food.

Catherine Acosta

It's definitely a decent size zoo! Food to buy is pretty pricey like any zoo but it's free to come so can't beat that. If you go on a hot day like my family & I did, definitely hydrate. You will need it with all the walking you'll do. They should also try to make the animals more comfortable. It was hot & some didn't have shade

Julia Clark

Went on a rather hot day, parking was 25$ flat. Quite reasonable considering the zoo is free to enter. Wonderful exhibits, and the enrichment opportunities are endless. Went to a show on sea lions and river otters. Quite informational. Misters are running to help cool you off all over the park. A must for a family of young children.

Kevin

We really appreciated the signage and how it’s well laid out. The animal enclosures were also pretty large, but had really good sight lines. Our local zoo lost our elephants years ago so it was great to see them again and in such a large enclosure.

Cornelius Davoren

Visited this zoo for first time and was very impressed. My best advice if going in summer is get there at 800am when they open. The panda exhibits are great. The exhibits are spacious and easy viewing for children. We parked in lot a (25$) and worked our way down from panda exhibits. Seemed like good idea because zoo is on a hill and by 1100am(already 90 degrees) we were on way back up hill. If u have little ones the carousel by the big cat exhibits is really nice. The dining options were standard zoo fair(pizza chic tenders) with the addition of food trucks made dining for lunch fun.

Sean Kurth

It's as great as you'd expect the official National Zoo to be, only the Detroit Zoo and Virginia Safari Park come close this side of the Mississippi. You'll want to pack lunch though, because I have never seen more expensive food carts in my life, and I've been a lot of places. Get in shape, because you'll be walking all day over pretty hilly terrain, and there will still be a corner of the park you'll have to come back for. In terms of a life-changing experience for a young child, I'd pick Virginia Safari Park, but if you're looking to see a zoo this is *the* place.

Jon Nash

Well kept zoo. I lived the animals that we were able to see. The challenge is that it is all on a hill. But we knew this going in and were able to start at the bottom of the hill and then our round trip ended with a downhill walk. Nice and clean.

Lacey Tome

Absolutely love the zoo! We enjoy visiting the animals and being educated by the employees/volunteers there! Only complaint is there are only 4 bathrooms and they are pretty far apart and with a 3 year old and a 5 year old who pee every 10 minutes, it's a hike to a bathroom! Especially when its 90° and you're trying to keep them hydrated! Even adding port-a-potties would be helpful!

Konamaneti Sreenivasa Reddy.

Just walk 2.00 km through this green covered paths. Panda is major attraction. Other end for big cats with water body, a covered area for reptiles, huge enclosure for 2 elephants... This is all major in this zoo. Parking is on 3 sides to have easy access. Not so good collection of animals and birds, but worth a visit. Have kids with you, who can add real flavour to the visit.

Georgina Roth

We come here almost every week. What can I say? The zoo is beautiful and entrance is free. My kids love it there, it’s one of their favorite destinations in DC. They love riding the carousel too.

Rachel Iverson

Lovely Zoo, wish they had more items on the gift shop. Volunteers and keepers were very knowledgeable and helpful. All the enclosures were very clean, we watched them clean the porcupine enclosure. The animals all seemed very happy except for one very anxious dessert Fox, but it is common for them to get anxious in captivity. Love seeing the research areas and all the conservation work this zoo is doing!

Jorge Martinez

This zoo is a beautiful place to pass your day. There are a high variety of animals. The is a lot of waking up and down and stairs so get a good pair of running shoes and light clothes if your planning to come to this zoo. Awesome place to take your children, place is clean and staff is kind

Amanda Dennis

Love love love our zoo! Wonderful habitats; great reptile and small mammal houses; lovely, clean walkways; just a small walk from the metro; we've never explored the food options, but there apear to be a lot. And at least for the next few months, we have baby cloud leopards!

Conrad Smith

Best zoo in the country. Gluten free snacks at all the shops is a big plus for my family. Gelato and popcorn are our current favorites.

Littlepaws1

Huge, well maintained zoo. Wonderful enclosures compared to other zoo's I've been too. Animals look happy with no pacing tracks around their enclosures which happens when the animals are bored and stressed. Plenty of viewing areas for when crowds get large. Unfortunately the birds exhibit was closed. And panda house was closed, but for possible babies so mom wouldn't get stressed. Males were outside though so still got to see them. Lots of walking involved and much uphill unless you take shuttle up to the top level and start there. Plenty of bathrooms and places to fill water bottles made the trip comfortable in the heat as well as the misting stations along the main path. Charged 25$ for parking which wasn't, as far as I saw listed on the website but thankfully they take credit cards.

Ginni Schaeffer

The National Zoo is a magical place for humans to experience a variety of creatures big and small. This particular year, there was an assortment of life size dinosaurs that not only moved, but also roared or squawked or squealed, much to everyone's delight. The free shuttle bus begins its route circling around the park (from the top to the bottom, every 10 to 15 minutes) at 11am -- something to note for future visits. If at all possible, we strive to begin our visits at the top of the park, and work our way down to the bottom of the park. Otherwise, the walk is uphill all the way... (NOTE: Admission is free, but if you park at the Zoo, it costs $25.) We brought snacks and water in backpacks, cutting down on the need to buy these at the park (at premium prices). After about 3 hours, and 4 miles, we couldn't walk much more in the 90+ degree heat (it was Aug 16), so we decided to end our visit. We had a great time and look forward to our next visit!

Samantha Harris

I didn't know what to expect when I came here but this place is massive!!! We came for the pandas and ended up spending 5 hours touring the park! Even after that there were still exhibits we didn't get to see. I love that the animals are given so much space in each exhibit. It makes it feel more like this is a home for them rather than them just being put on display.

Andrew Guinea

This place is awesome. The only fee you end up paying here is the parking fee, that's it; no entrance fee. All the animals here looked happy and where amazing to look at. From the tiger that loves to play with it's giant ball to the giant fluffy pandas. The elephants were a nice animal to learn about, the staff were patient and helpful with any questions you had about them. They even have their own little domesticated farm. Had a great time, it's good for kids. Would definitely recommend if you're in the DC area.

Tristian S.

I enjoyed my time here, truly. The animals are very interesting. I have trouble because I think the cages are so small. The zoo was nowhere near immaculate, either. It is good. I liked it. The pandas are incredible to see and read about.

JT Kemp

This zoo is free to the public, although parking is $25. You can bring in food and drink, but there are plenty of food trucks spread throughout the park that are not price gouging to make it fine to eat there. There are lots of great educational facts for kids and adults alike. The pandas are awesome and the baby orangutan are definitely worth the trip

Yo am I extinct yet

I want to preface this review by saying none of my criticisms are directed at the animals themselves, if they want to sleep all day or avoid the public eye, that's fine. Out of the few animals I did see on this trip (seriously, they might as well close off the Asia Trail), several displayed behaviors indicative of boredom and/or stress. Several exhibits were lacking in enrichment and had painfully unnatural feels to them, and the amenities for people were few and far between (I had to walk basically the length of the zoo to get to a washroom). The only positives were nice greenery on some of the trails and the indoor rainforest exhibit.

Len

Great place, particularly now that the summer vacations have all ended! Took a staycation and went and enjoyed the zoo with my wife. We loved it! Not crowded in the middle of the week, great place to get some exercise and see some animals. We opted to rejoin the zoo and because that gets us free parking, will certainly be back multiple times just to enjoy a great zoo close to home.

Bo Nea

It's free to get in which I was so surprised. We were able to bring in our own food and drinks!! The animals were all out and seem to be enjoying the sun just as much as we were. The bathrooms were nice and cleaned, the staff that we interacted with by the reptiles were extremely knowledgable. They had water sprinklers in areas to walk in since it was so hot. Overall a great place to go visit.

Abid K

It’s a big zoo and requires a lot of walking, so be prepared (especially with young kids or seniors). There’s shuttle at the door that you could take to the other side and that way you’ll have to have just one way walking back. Daytime animals are hiding if it’s hot so plan accordingly. Food and ice creams available in the park but do bring water on a hot summer day. Thanks to USA and Citizens of USA for offering free zoo and museums for the visitors to DC. Staff at the zoo are extremely helpful and kind. Visitors are greeted with smiles.

Jen Sylvester

We really love this zoo. It's clean and the staff is friendly. The zoo itself is free to enter. They have shows, etc which all cost money. Also the map is $5. Be aware of the parking situation. It's $25 to park and the lots fill up quick. If you can find street parking it's a 2 hour limit. There are currently a lot of renovations going in it seems so a lot of the exhibits were closed. Assuming they are making the zoo even better.

Mike Howells

Overall lots of fun. I imagine they have a rotation of animals on and off display but a bummer not to see some favorites like the wallabies. Also the various delicious looking food trucks parked around the property were all closed when we visited on a Tuesday.

Marlee Collins

My experience at this zoo was so awesome!! This was my first outing after I arrived and the best outing of all the sites I visited. I had a 2 hour tour guide through the zoo and Ms. Hollies was absolutely the most Courteous and knowledgeable guide I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much Hollis you made my trip memorable.

Marlee Collins

My experience at this zoo was so awesome!! This was my first outing after I arrived and the best outing of all the sites I visited. I had a 2 hour tour guide through the zoo and Ms. Hollies was absolutely the most Courteous and knowledgeable guide I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much Hollis you made my trip memorable.

Joey Thomas

Good zoo. Especially for being free. Not to bad of a walk through. Made a whirlwind tour of it due to parking time limit. Zoo parking was full and like $20. Not terrible pricing but D.C. parking prices are outrageous. Decent number of animals. But they did have a lot of exhibits empty. I'd say about half of them in the end. Gift shop prices not that bad either

Tomilola Tosin-Eribake

This zoo is huge! Lots of animals and other stuff to see. We didn't get to see all the animals, though. I now have a reason to return soon. We saw animals (including birds and snakes) we didn't even know of. And the displays for each are really great. Especially the small mammals section. It was cute to see the nocturnal animals sleeping in the day time with the lights of the display turned off. The staff and volunteers are also knowledgeable and very helpful and ready to give you more info on whatever animal you're observing. Advice to those with toddlers, go with a stroller.

Melissa Witt

Wonderful place to visit, plan on spending the entire day there. Parking can be difficult to find or get there early to park in the lot. Make sure you use the bathroom by the visitors center as you enter the Zoo they are hard to find. Also recommend bringing a cooler or something for lunch so you can a completely free day.

Ross Harrison

The most beautiful zoo to walk around. A shuttle buss is provided free of charge to get to the different areas. The zoo is spacious and well taken care of. I spent an entire day here and it was well worth the visit!

Colin Davis

Definitely great for the price (free) but compared to a lot of other zoos I have been to it just was not super great. I liked the robotic dinosaurs they added in to make it a bit more fun. Half or more of the animals weren't out and seemed like very small enclosures. Lots of the children I saw there all seemed to be having a good time. I will be back though. I just really love zoos.

Lin Brann

The ground staff and trainers have done a wonderful job keeping the zoo clean and enjoyable for the visitors. Parking inside the zoo cost $25, but the admission is Free. It wasn’t very difficult finding a street parking a few blocks away. This is a great place for family to spend a fun day.

Chris De Christophe

Great park. Huge zoo is one of the largest I have visited (check out the Beijing zoo that's monsterously big) nicely laid out with nice enclosures. Also well provided with parking. We especially enjoyed the pandas, but there's loads to see. You can easily spend all day here. The size of the zoo helps to spread out the crowds so you don't feel it's too busy even on a weekend. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

Maira Montessa

It's free to enter, and very big, so prepare to do a lot of walking. They have a dinosaur expo going on during the summer, and a panda show as well as an elephant bathing and training session and a carousel that are nice added attractions. They do have a wide variety of animals; the only issue is that for some they offered very little habitat space. For instance, the overgrown turtle only had roaming space the size of a bathtub. Also, it can get very pricey inside the zoo, with a zoo map being $5 and a bottle water for $3. Overall, it's very enjoyable and educational and great for the whole family.

Lisa Mae Reid

Great place, great for the family! It's free and parking is only 25 dollars. So big you would need to go twice. Food is a good price, was able to bring personal drinks in for the kids. Had so much fun!

Jeff Carlson

This zoo is so well organized and so clean! It's set up to host the thousands of people who go through there on a weekend. There is no admission fee so be sure to make a donation when you pass the information desk. The one challenge there is that it's built on a pretty steep hill. You are either going up or going down as you traverse the paths. I personally like this because it's great exercise, but just be forewarned. Parking onsite is good but it's $25. You can ride the Metro there but it's about a 10 minute walk from the nearest Metro stop. There is a good amount of free parking (free on Sunday, that is -- on other days you have to feed the meter or use the Parkmobile app) on Connecticut Avenue but again you may have to walk a few minutes.

Jacqui G

Incredible zoo. They have some fantastic animals and their enclosures are beautiful. Especially love how the frogs and reptiles are housed and they have a huge range of snakes! Saw some wonderful feedings and got to talk to very knowledgeable volunteers which really made the whole experience for me, they were so lovely to talk to and answered all our questions.

Niketa Libert

We loved our visit here. No entry fee but parking is $25. You can always take other means of transportation to avoid that fee. They have mist showers that you can use throughout the Zoo to keep cool. Be prepared to walk since It's built into a hill. Visit their website for more details.

D mike

Great place to visit! Everything was so clean, staff was super friendly everywhere we went. The exhibits and all the animals were great. Definitely the best zoo we've ever visited!

Sonlm Wells

Great Treat for All Ages. I enjoy it every time I go to the zoo. The zoo guides are always patience and answer all my questions about the animals. There are so many animals, and so much to learn about them.

Mary Siglar

Busy day with lots of kids out on spring break but still so fun. Reptile house is very cool. Nearby, be sure and look up as the resident Orangutan may be climbing overhead and ready to drop a surprise if you aren't looking. Beautiful zoo. Nice food in and at nearby restaurants with outdoor eating. Have fun.

Christy W

Really beautiful place with some spectacular animal habitats. We only did a small portion, but we were treated to some great close ups. I really like how you can bring your own food and picnic. I definitely plan on visiting again. The gift shop was a bit underwhelming in variety.

Christy W

Really beautiful place with some spectacular animal habitats. We only did a small portion, but we were treated to some great close ups. I really like how you can bring your own food and picnic. I definitely plan on visiting again. The gift shop was a bit underwhelming in variety.

Jacob Papp

Better than expected, though a little hard to navigate, even with all the signs. Saw lots, good reptile house and ape house, and I got great shots of the cheetahs, leopards, and others. Staff was friendly. Parking was $25... what!?

Sally Rubiano

Good food at the Mane Cafe offering better quality (no hormones and antibiotics) as well as grain free. In addition, it's a pleasant walk through the zoo. It offers yours. Beautiful landscaping!!! We really enjoyed it

Carrie Clark

Beautiful property, relaxing to walk through, lots of cool things to see and it's FREE! $25 to park on premises but we found street parking about a block away and that seems to be free on the weekends. Great for a cool date ❤

Chloe Zimmerman

You can’t beat a free zoo, and this one is beautifully done! Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who was involved in planning a multitude of parks and landscaping across the US, including Central Park, NY) this zoo has a flow and a natural beauty that encapsulates the term, “Zoological Park.” This zoo is incredibly kid/stroller/picnic friendly, though I would recommend bringing your best “off-roading” stroller since it’s pretty hilly in a few places. Also HIGHLY recommend going early in the morning, as close to opening as you can! All the best trips we’ve taken here have been early and we have scored parking spaces, avoided the crowds and, best of all, got to see the animals while they were still awake! DC is hot and by 12:00pm every animal in there will probably be napping.

Elora Culver

Honestly who can complain about a free zoo, Not to mention a fantastic zoo at that. I usually feel bad for some animals in zoos, especially elephants and apes but they take fantastic care of their animal and give them spacious environments. The zoo keepers and volunteers obviously care and are more than willing to talk to you about their animals

Patrick McCormack

What a great Zoo! Animals are well cared for for, particularly noticed how clean and active the big cats were. I have never seen a lion in captivity that truly looked that regal. This guy was surely the Fabio of the lion world. I was also impressed with spacing and viewing areas for popular animals like the the Pandas, no difficulty seeing the animals even on a busy Saturday in April. Conveniently located near the Metro.

Rik Blonski

Well maintained and enough variety of animals to make a great half day adventure. Everything is a little pricey here but it is free to get in so just be prepared to pay a. It if you wanna grab lunch there.

Tricia Duncan

Be prepared to see lots of empty enclosures. If every enclosure had an animal it would have been worth all the walking. Pretty landscapes tho

Valerie Nelson

We went on a Monday to see the dinosaur show but was told it's not open on Monday. No where that we saw did it say no show on Mondays. So we were quite disappointed. We appreciated their water spray stations bc it was extremely hot that day. The zoo was still clean and well maintained.

Zaaraa Padgett

Great place to spend your day. It was really hot when I went but there were misting stations to help keep us cool and water fountains every few feet. I loved it. Definitely going back once the weather cools down.

Mark W Paro

Came with my family and grandchildren for the day. I was very happy to be able to use a mobility scooter to enjoy the zoo as my knee's dont work very well. Thanks again.

Alissa Simms

This was such a fun activity to do in dc. It's completely free. I had a lot of fun. There are a lot of people and some are nicer than others but that's everywhere you go. Just have to have patience. The kids loved seeing all the animals.

Bethany Weaver

Perfect place for families and a good time! Always a positive atmosphere and friendly faces! Thankful for places like this in the community that provide a safe environment for tourists.

Lisa Mason

Always fun to see the animals at the zoo-even if I do feel guilty about them being caged up. We got lucky that so many animals were out. Because it was a cool, overcast day? Not sure. Bring your own lunch as food is expensive!

Christina Godoy

Great day, lots to see! FYI: Parking was $25, paper maps cost $5 and the gift shops don't have bags they will ask you to purchase a re-usable tote for $1. It definitely got much better since we were there 5 years ago especially in regards to food. We had dumplings at a food truck and they were delicious! It's a lot of walking and some paths are on an incline but definitely worth the visit.

Charles Acree

Great place to take the kids to look and learn. The more times you take them to the National Zoo, the more they will learn about the World and the Ecosystem we all love and share around the World. If you are going to visit often, then get a Membership. It has a lot to offer and makes getting access more affordable.

Richard Musgrove

Nice little zoo. Get here early. Parking fills up fast. Only complaint, zoo itself is on a slow decline. Depending which entrance you use. You could possibly have one heck of an inclined hike back to your car. With that said, my legs were burning afterwards. I would gladly pay for a tram/trolley/train. Anything. To get us back to the top.

Jon O

The Zoo in D.C. is outstanding! It's free for one which is great! It's huge for two, so if you don't want to get stuck with groups of people you don't have to. You should really plan on spending your whole day here as it takes awhile to try and see all they have to offer.

Sandra O'Connor

Love the zoo but it's sad to see the animals like that (Super bored) some of them grew in a zoo so they don't know any better, at least the gorillas get to change location with an special pole system.. so they get to be outside, would be great if other animals get to have something similar. Still.. can't help it, everytime I leave.. I have mixed feelings. Note. The mice problem around the gorillas zone looks awful, looks out of control.

medekin

Good for the whole family. Visited in the afternoon since it’s summer time it was super hot. I recommend going in the morning or evening. I loved how the animals that I saw had a lot of space to play and eat. Definitely need to go back to see the rest of the Zoo.

Rebecca Flaherty

The Zoo is free to get in. Be prepared that the walk out on a hot day is hard as it is like climbing a mountain. Lots of street truck vendors. Love the O Line for the orangutans. Lots to see. Tons of information. Be careful if you rent a wagon and leave it unattended.

Louis McGowan

Enjoyed the day. Disappointing that several large attractions were closed or animals with the vet. Over all had a great day! Park was clean and staff is very knowledgeable. Take water with you on hot days!!! $3 for bottle water and $4 for 20 oz Gatorade.

Friday13th fan

There is a lot to do here and a lit to see. Nicely laid out but in some places is easy to get lost so pay attention. Food and drink here are very expensive and the gifts shop is as well. Come a little later in the day as some of the animals are not out at opening and pay attention to the show roster. But did get a lot of pictures of unique animals that are hard to find at times but can be seen on the trip back. Not a bad trip overall.

Rebecca Riordan

It's free! You pay for special exhibits if interested. Bathrooms are nice. We went on a holiday weekend and it was crowded but not too bad with the walkways. Parking can be a hassle when busy though.

Shawn Martin

Excellent, this place is setup nice. We are from the greater Ohio area and know the Columbus Zoo well and we were pleasantly surprised with the Smithsonian Zoo. Especially when we found the admission was free. You just pay for parking. I would definitely visit again when in town.

Heart

Great park. Easy layout to navigate. A lot of exhibits. Was very clean when I arrived. Entrance is free. Parking is not free, I do not remember the price for parking. The place appeared to be well kept. Kinda far off from most DC sights. I enjoyed wandering around this zoo.

Earl Griffin

The Smithsonian National Zoo is a treasure. Our family visits several times a year. What a wonderful place to go and enjoy the day! Bring water bottles to carry with you. Refill them from The Fountains that work. Not all of them do. The price of food and water in the park is excessive. However, we still love the zoo!

Ryan Harris

Great seeing the Pandas and the dino exhibits. One drawback was a lack of water bottle filling stations. It was super hot and we were going through water really quick so it's a small fortune to keep the water bottles full and going through several plastic bottles just didn't sit well. All in all it's a nice zoo.

David Casey

Beautiful grounds, awesome exhibits, very family oriented. The only negative I have is that there were a lot of exhibits that were not available or "No one is home". More than 10 of these were scattered throughout the zoo. This coupled with a major section closed off for remodel took away 15% of the viewing opportunities.... But Do not mistake this negative as a deterrent from going, it is

matholomew clark

Great zoo. Probably best I've been too, clear that they do their best to give animals lots of things to do. Though the aardvark demonstrated unusual behaviour. Was very hot in July, saw a few ambulances taking people away so more water fountains would be good.

Steve Myers

It's allowed to get in which I was so astounded. We had the option to acquire our very own sustenance and beverages!! The creatures were hard and fast and appear to appreciate the sun the same amount of as we were. The washrooms were pleasant and cleaned, the staff that we cooperated with by the reptiles were incredibly knowledgeable. They had water sprinklers in territories to stroll in since it was so hot. Generally speaking an incredible spot to go visit.

Tina L

There is free admission, but the zoo has to compensate that with food and merchandise costing a few more bucks. The walk is definitely a workout, but it was a decent trade-off to see all of the exhibits. It was really cute seeing the mama and baby orangutan cuddling while sleeping. As a final note, be sure to bring water and snacks to save some money.

Sandy Solliday

Beautiful day! Wide variety of animals that are well cared for. Exhibits are clean and there are numerous toys and enrichment tools for the animals. There is also a wide variety of different restaurants and food carts for visitors. Everything our group tried was very good.

Anna Baker

One of the best zoo's I've been to. They have lots of animals, from pandas, lions, tigers, and reptiles to name a few. It's a great place to bring kids. I've been to this zoo many times and have noticed that the animals are more active in the morning and in the evening. The keepers and other workers and very friendly and helpful.

Joshua Rice

Visited the zoo for the uncorked event. Great time sampling wines and chatting with the restaurant owners in the VIP tent. The only complaint was that the animal demonstrations were not clearly labeled now was the schedule clear. We missed the one animal we wanted to see, the penguin.

Perry E

I met a Fly River Turtle and now we are best friends. I also met a wonderful staff person who helped alleviate my concerns about the treatment of the animals on one of the hottest days that summer. I believe her name was earlier Shirley Karen or Shelly. She was in the reptile exhibit. So informative.

Hugo de Jong

Great (free!) zoo with ample space for animals (the orangutans can use an rope bridge over the visitors). Incredible educational value.

Jasmin Hollywood

A blessing to be able to take my children to the Zoo I grew up as child visiting. The best things in life are free and the admission to this zoo has always been free. Another reason I feel proud to be a true Washingtonian (Born and raised).

Mike Rosenke

Beautiful zoo. Bring good shoes, lots of walking but well worth it. The orangutans are allowed to move freely from one enclosure to another on overhead ropes, check it out. Super cool. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We stayed near the zoo, but there is a Subway station a short walk from the entrance. Give yourself time do it right. You won't regret it.

Brittany Reynard

My three year old and I enjoyed it very much! Animal enclosures are large and the animals look like they are very well taken care of.

Anna Sekuła

It's a good place for animals. And there is a sweet panda :) There are many places to see. In the event of rain, you can hide in the pavilions with animals. You can buy raincoats in the store. This place is great.

Owen Randolph

One of the best zoos I've been to. Animal-wise, it's pretty standard (lions, giraffes, petting zoo for the kids, etc) but there are a few sections where there's some neat habitats and lots of space for animals that need it. The place itself is free to enter and has multiple restaurants and food and drink trucks to keep you going. There's a lot of shade and many benches suitable for a quick rest. If you ask me, it's definitely one of the coolest destinations in DC and certainly worth a visit.

Cassondra Kenney

Always a fun time with the family. The food could be better priced, but what can you expect? So we usually choose to lug around a cooler just to save money.

Kunal Gosrani

Of all the Smithsonian stuff to do for free, their collection and ability to cater to all ages is wonderful. Our little one was less interested in all the animals but we had a great time. Huge huge huge park but all very nicely organized with plenty of rest stops. Take your own food or buy something there. A full day is not enough. Love this place and a must visit!

Leah Gonzalez

Great place! Prepare to walk because it takes a toll on you. Bring your own water and snacks or be prepared to pay high prices for everything. It's clean and some newly added spots. I suggest using the bathroom at the Kids Farm. Very modern and clean.

Katherine Arnold

I SAW THE PANDA TUMBLE DOWN THE HILL! That made the trip worthwhile alone. Spacious exhibits and cool architecture throughout. Very vertical. Be prepared for sore legs. BBQ chicken sandwich was good but quite pricy.

Melinda Rice

We appreciate that the zoo overall. The terrain was tough, an uphill walk after a long day. There were so many exhibits with signs "Nobody home" and the kids were disappointed that there were no giraffes. The park was clean, shady, plenty of amenities available.

Michael Johnson

Great for dates. I used to live right up the road and went many times. Entry is free and food is reasonably priced. There are also lots of restaurants within walking distance on Connecticut ave. Get your drinks at 7-11 across the street.

Kevin Girten Jr.

First time at this zoo. I really enjoyed it but as an adult it didn't quite capture my interest like it used to. The staff was friendly and the grounds were very clean. The entire trip was a blast and the expenses were extremely slim so id very much recommend to anyone looking for a fun yet inexpensive trip.

Diana Whitcomb

I had such a good time here! On the day I went, it was close to 100°F, but the misting stations and water fountains throughout the zoo, as well as the air conditioned exhibits were a lovely surprise! Parking is $25 but entry into the zoo is free, so it was so worth it! There are so many signs around to help with navigating. The zoo employees and volunteers are very knowledgeable in the animals. There are many dining options and even a couple food trucks!

NickDaRobloxian: The Revival

I went here for a field trip in 6th grade and it was awesome. There were so many animals there and some were only found on the other side of the world. 11 out of 10 rating

Jackson Wood

The National Zoo is great. They have a great variety of animals and lots of information for learning. The zoo food is good albeit over priced (but what do you expect from a FREE zoo). The entire zoo is a hill so if you want to see the whole thing you should be prepared to get a workout. Lastly, I HIGHLY suggest making time for the small mammal house, they are adorable and its inside so you can get out of the weather!

Jonathan Brown

Great experience & well cared for animals! The Smithsonian Zoo does an incredible job with the park maintenance as well as ensuring everything runs smoothly in the park, including the cleaning and feeding of the animals. The best part about it is that it’s a free thing to do and great for all ages! I can’t wait to go back!

Rokin Gala

A very good zoo specially so near to DC. The best part it's free. Quiet well maintained. But be prepared to walk a lot of u plan too see the complete zoo in a single day. The Animals are kept is nice enclosures which r not very small and give enough space for animals to roam around. The main Attraction are the giant panda's. The zoo is well maintained and has lot of tree covering so even on a hot day u do not feel the sun much and you can walk in shade for most part of the zoo. The only problem is to find parking. It's 25$ at the zoo but the lot gets full very soon as it's small lot. And Street parking is pure luck. So of you can walk , suggestion would be to take metro.

Anthony Rosado

Get there early for your best experience. Expansive grounds allow for a leisurely walk around the world of animals. Good selection of animals whom seem well cared for and some amazing aerial orangutans. (New baby)