Reviews of Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (Zoo)

Jason Ream

Zoo layout is bizarre but, the animals were well taken care of. Admition is free parking was $25.

Tonya Trivett

Nice elevation walk. Difficult for a person recovering from meniscus surgery, but, slowly walked around. Beautifully!

sabrina kelsey

We had a wonderful time visiting the zoo! Even though it was 100 degrees outside, there was plenty of shade and benches to stop and cool off! Staff was very helpful and friendly! We will definitely be returning for another visit! The panda exhibit was wonderful! Great fun for everyone, espy the kids! Thank you for a great day!

Raborn Gantt

Plenty of exhibits, great learning experience!

Jim Ma

Wanted to see the panda its more like a sanctuary than a zoo

Yousun Shin

(Translated by Google) Pleasant to see just three cute pandas (Original) 귀여운 판다 3마리만 봐도 기분 좋은 곳

Jacqueline Ratkowiak

It was a lot of walking but worth every step. Even in the crazy heat. I will be going back to see the animals that did not want to be in the heat like I was.

Habibullah Ziar

Enjoy Lightning

Donnie Armstead

Great work experience we will be back hashtag proshot

Megz M

Most of the animals were missing we were there for 45min before we even got to see one

B Colbert

Be prepared to pay $25 up front to park. If you're disabled go early. Parking fills up fast and you end up parking in the first available. Parking attendants are not very helpful and don't watch well to see if lots are full. Also bring your own water. It's $3 a bottle. Check the web for a map because they are $5 at the park.

Kay W

This was a good little zoo. There are a good amount of exotic animals to see within the zoo. They have different shows throughout the day like the baby clouded leopards in the morning and then after that there was a seal show that was very entertaining. The walk can be a bit steep in a few places but nothing too strenuous. The best time to go would be earlier in the day not too long after they open, it is cooler and more of the animals are out then. I would plan between 2-3 hours really to see everything, it only took me 2 hrs but the bird exhibit was closed the day I went. It is a smaller zoo, which I was surprised by since it is a zoo at the capital but it was a lovely morning out! The staff were very friendly as well. If you have little kids there is also a petting zoo for the little ones to interact with the animals as well. I gave it 4 stars because I felt there were fewer animals and less ground to cover than I was really expecting but as I said it was lovely.

Nepia Kaa

Nice zoo. Lots of walking involved. Not the best day so a lot of the animals inside.outdoor orangatang climbing frame a high ( get it) light

Haritha S

Not all animals are present.but mammals , asian elephants n reptiles are best

Bryan Mcmurray

For being free it's a great place

CocoNuttra K.

Lucky! All animals show up today. It very good weather though, about 63F today.

Emma-Lea Jacklin Warsaw

Great big zoo lots of animals, parking is expensive so take the metro and get off at the Cleveland Park station so you can walk down hill to get to the zoo.

Michael Swanson

Loved the Pandas!

Sonia Jain

Awesome experience!! Lot of walking.. But its worth..kids loved it.. The zoo is maintained well..

John Saunders

I was very disappointed. Go to another zoo in another city! Don't waste a day of your vacation coming here. We we're lucky to have seen 10 to 12 animals the 4 hours were there. Admission was free, but parking is $20. The zoo is built on a hill, so you're either walking up hill, or down hill all day, and it's a pretty steep hill. They do offer a shuttle bus at the bottom to take you back to the top. So if you do decide to go, park at the top, and take the shuttle bus back, trust me especially if you have someone in a wheelchair like I did.

Christina Feliz

I was pretty disappointed with the overall experience. The animal houses closed at 4pm, even though the park didn't close until 5pm (actually 9pm because of the lights festival). There were very few animals available for viewing. Parking was difficult and $25. There is a free shuttle from the parking lot, but we didnt take it because it took too long to come.

Tanya Milord

The zoo lights were very nice me and my nephew had fun wish they had a few more activities

Nancy Fernandez

Zooliights. One of my favorite annual traditions

Joseph Seriki

Excellent experience. Wonderful time in a lovely location. Plenty of sights along with plenty of snacks to keep yourself going. If you’re ever in DC this is an excellent place to come.

Shemetrius Davis

This place is HUGE with A LOT of different areas I wouldnt have expected to see here. But most of the large attractions were napping when we got there. But great experience nonetheless.

Clint Ray

Very clean and some cool animals

Brad Belcher

Great place...free to get in..was an easy metro ride from downtown DC

Jenny Xu

Nice free zoo, easily walkable, cute pandas, not super busy in the morning!

Alfredo Torres Roman

Awesome place to go with the family.

Dianne L

A bit disappointed. Huge crowds, many animals were either hiding or not in their exhibits.

Lincoln Whitaker

Had a great time at the Zoo in DC. Went early Sunday morning to avoid the crowds.

Ashis Roy

Beautiful family out night in the zoo. Initially I thought it would be only few minutes of walking with lights, however, I was surprised to see all the ways with anourmous amount of lightings. There is a laser lightning show as well with a sitting area which my daughter liked a lot too.

Jason Ostrander

Had a great time, it was my first time to the zoo.

Wei-Fan Chiang

It is a great place for a one-day tour. Comparing to the other "big" zoos, it is small and it doesn't have many exhibitions. But the whole area is good for a holiday hiking, and there are animals that children love. The admission fee depends on your will -- but please do support them.

Jonathon LaForest

Parking literally was less than 10 yards from the elephants. Free zoo. Lots of elephants.

Susan Pulluaim

We really Enjoy going..can never go to many times..have fun every time

Floyd Keller

Enjoyable outing for the family. All for free, you just have to pay for parking.

iammkeene

Freaking awesome place

Vineet Kulkarni

Over hyped. Agree its one of the oldest zoo and maintained well (arrangements are very well like water sprinklers, food, tree shadows etc) but main thing is missing, active animals. All animals looks long distance and very tired or lazy. Few small animals like red panda, panda, snakes, you won't be able to see as are hidden themselves and slept. Good place if you want to walk in nature. Instead i would see good variety and active animals in Richmond zoo!

GTB 7270

Amazing

Dominique Carter

Beautiful but most exhibits were closed and most animals weren’t out, I want to go again in the summer time and see how it is .

Mark Mac

Huge zoo! So much to see.

Maria Tomasovic

Great place for families

최다영

동물들 짱많음! 무료라니! 희귀종, 양서류 등등 굉장히 많음

vicky henriquez

Very nice place but the food prices are too high!!

A Floyd

A free exhibit with the famous pandas. We loved it!!!! The staff is really nice. Bring comfortable shoes! I hope to go again soon!

Plínio Araujo

Is difficult to see the pandas

Moshe E

Best zoo ever