If you are planning a trip to Washington, DC with your children, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo should definitely be on your list of things to do. The Zoo was founded by the Smithsonian in 1889 to preserve and research animals from around the world. Today, it sits on 163 acres in the D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 2,700 animals. The Zoo is one of only three in the United States to house pandas. And the best part is that admission to the Zoo is free!
First Stop Pandas
There is no question, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian along with their cub Xiao Qi Ji, are the stars of the show here. In fact, you can tune in to watch them from home on their very own Panda Cam. But seeing them in person is just so cool! In summer 2021, you will need to get a pass to enter the Panda House – make a reservation as soon as you arrive for timed entry during your visit. More details on Panda Passes are available online.
Typically, you can view the pandas as they play in the yard or when they’re eating or resting inside their house. It’s amazing to watch how quickly they take down a stalk of bamboo! And there’s so much to learn about inside their house. The boys loved watching the pandas – it was the highlight of our trip!
See Animals from Around the World
The Panda House is located in the Upper Zoo along with the Cheetahs, American Bison and Elephants. We loved seeing the Elephants lumbar through their area. They are such enormous creatures!
In the Valley, you’ll walk along the American Trail. This area is filled with animals that are native to the US and Canada. Learn about Harbor Seals, Grey Wolves, Brown Pelicans and Beavers. Keep your eyes out and you might even see a Bald Eagle! Amazonia is filled with tree frogs, spiders, turtles and other animals that live along the Amazon River. There’s even a sloth. There’s also a Kids’ Farm here where kids can feed some of the animals.
The Lower Zoo is where you’ll find the Apes, Lions and Tigers and was definitely a hit with the boys. We saw a Sumatran Tiger swimming. One of the Lions was resting in the sun, but still looking around in case there was any prey in the area. The Reptile House is filled with Snakes, Alligators, Salamanders and a Gila Monster! Plus, it was nice and cool in the dimly lit building.
Don’t Miss the Dinosaurs
In addition to seeing the more than 390 species of animals in the Zoo, there are huge Dinosaur statues throughout. Some of these massive creatures move, make sounds and even squirt you with water! They are strategically placed within the trees, so that they really do seem real. The boys loved searching for them as we walked through the Zoo.
The Zoo is shady and there are several misting systems throughout, so we were comfortable on a hot summer day. There are lots of benches, so we could stop and take a break if we needed it. There are several options for food. We enjoyed an ice cream to keep us cool!
The chance to see the Pandas and nearly 3,000 other animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo makes it a must see for your next trip to Washington, DC!
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Zoo is free! However, in the summer of 2021 you will need a reservation to enter the Zoo. Passes are available online one month ahead of time, so plan to book yours early. You cannot get one at the gate.
- As soon as you arrive, find one of the eight giant panda statues located throughout the Zoo to scan the QR code and make a reservation to visit the Panda House. More details are available on their website.
- There is parking available onsite for $30, but the Zoo is also very easy to access by Metro. It is on the Red Line and can be easily access from the Cleveland Park Metro Stop or the Woodley Park/National Zoo Metro Stop. It’s about $2 per person to ride the Metro from the National Mall area. Be sure to check to see if you’re traveling in peak or non-peak hours before purchasing your ticket as the fares are different.
- If you don’t want to walk uphill, get off at the Cleveland Park Metro Stop when you arrive and walk downhill to the Zoo. Then continue downhill to the Woodley Park Metro Stop when you leave.
Have you been to the National Zoo? What was your favorite animal to see? Let us know in the comments.
