Planning Your Visit

A 3D bar that says Zoo Highlights, National Zoo.
ADMISSION HOURS
PHONE NUMBERS GETTING TO THE ZOO
DON'T MISS THESE SITES SPECIAL PLACES
FEEDING AND INTERPRETIVE DEMOS AUDIO TOURS
FOOD & GIFTS TIPS FOR VISITORS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
STROLLER RENTAL BE A FONZ
INSIDER'S TIPS RETURN TO HILIGHTS

ADMISSION

The National Zoo is free. Parking is fee-based.

Parking Rates
HoursFee
3 or less$6
4 to 5$8
5+$10
Out by 10 am$1
In after 4:30$3

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HOURS

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 postedOct. 16 - April 4 8 am - 6 pm

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PHONE NUMBERS

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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GETTING TO THE ZOO

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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DON'T MISS THESE SITES

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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SPECIAL PLACES

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
10:30 amMarabou 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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AUDIO TOUR

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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FOOD AND GIFTS

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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TIPS FOR VISITORS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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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STROLLER RENTAL

There are strollers available at the Information Booths. You can rent single or double strollers. A deposit is required.


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BE A FONZ

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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INSIDER'S TIPS

"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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A navigation button that links to the National Zoo Homepage. A navigation button that links up one level. A navigation button that links to the next document on this level.

A navigation bar that links to each major section of the Zoo Web Site. Go to the Zoo Highlights Section Go to the Zoo Views Section Go to the Friends of the National Zoo Web Site Go to the Animal Photo Library Go to the Zoo Questionnaire Go to the Zoo Web Site Search Engine Go to the Zoo Map Interface