The Solo Scale:
One of the best things about the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. is that they’re free. For tourists on a budget, that’s the best thing you could hear. What might surprise is that not only are all the museums free, but so is the National Zoo!
The one thing to keep in mind is that unlike the museums on the Mall, the zoo is further afield. Luckily, it’s easy to do and well-worth the hike to get out there for the free admission.
While it is free, the popularity of the zoo means that in recent years, you’ll need to “purchase” (aka reserve) your free ticket before you go. This allows for crowd control so make sure you do that in advance (here). If you plan on driving, there is a parking charge. That’s just one more reason why taking the metro to the Woodley Park-Zoo stop is the best plan. The Cleveland Park stop is also in close proximity, for another option!.
If you’re ready to dive into the wild fun at the zoo, you can find plenty to see and do!
Some of the more popular exhibits include Giant pandas, Asian elephants, and Sumatran tigers. That’s just the start. There’s a whole host of mammals and more for you to choose from and visit. There are daily zookeeper talks where you can learn more about the animals. If you have kids, take them to interactive activities like seeing various types of animal teeth or animal poop. There’s also a kids farm to explore where you’ll find more domestic animals. No matter where you are, there’s plenty of educational material to entertain the kids.
Otherwise, take to the trails. There’s a number of them from Elephant Trails to Asia Trails to American Trail where you’ll get to see a variety of animals from their original domains.
In terms of where it ranks when it comes to Smithsonian destinations, it was right up there as one of my favourites. It’s maybe only second to the National Air and Space Museum. It’s a truly unique thing to be able to visit a zoo without having to worry about the price tag.
For more details and to plan out your trip, head to the National Zoo’s website to see what’s happening lately!
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