Visit

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is the nation's zoo. It is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C.

You can visit the Zoo 364 days a year to see 2,000 individual animals of 400 different species.

Cost

Admission to the National Zoo is FREE. There is a fee for parking in Zoo lots, but FONZ members park for free! The Zoo is accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus.

Where to Stay

If you're looking for a great hotel in the D.C. area and want to support giant panda conservation, consider booking a panda package.

Amenities

Strollers, wheelchairs, and electronic vehicles are available to rent; ask at any information kiosk throughout the park for location. (FONZ members at the Household level and above receive a discount on stroller rentals.)

ATMs are located at the Visitor Center and Mane Restaurant.

Souvenir Zoo maps are available at the Visitor Center and information kiosks throughout the park for $2.

Public restrooms are located in Panda Plaza, next to the Zoo Police Station, inside the Visitor Center, at the Elephant Outpost, and inside Amazonia.

There are no lockers or other storage facilities for visitors at the National Zoo.

The Zoo does not have a kennel where visitors may leave pets during their visit. Pets are not permitted in the Zoo (except for assistance animals) and leaving your pet unattended in your vehicle is strongly discouraged.

Early Closings and Late Openings

On occasion, the National Zoo closes early to host special events. In 2013, the Zoo will close early on these dates. Other dates and additional details will be posted when they are available.

• May 13, 2013: ZooFari

  At 12 p.m., the Zoo will close from above the Small Mammal House to the Crossroads including Small Mammals, Great Apes, Reptile Discovery Center, Invertebrates, Think Tank, Great Cats, Kids' Farm, and the Mane Grill.

  At 3:30 p.m., the Bird House and Panda House will close.

  At 4 p.m., the entire Zoo will close.

• July 11, 2013: Brew at the Zoo

  At 2 p.m., the Zoo will close from the Great Cats main entrance and the Great Cats gift shop to the Crossroads including Think Tank, Great Cats, the Mane Grill, and the Kids' Farm.

• October 25, 26, and 27, 2013: Boo at the Zoo

  At 3 p.m., the Zoo will close from below the Small Mammal House to the Cross Roads including Great Apes, Reptile Discovery Center, Invertebrates, Think Tank, Great Cats, Kids' Farm, and the Mane Grill.

  At 4 p.m., Small Mammals, Panda House, Bird House, American Trail, Amazonia, and Amazonia Science Gallery will close.

  At 4 p.m. the entire Zoo wil close.