If you are looking for an amazing zoo to visit with your family be sure to check out the Smithsonian's National Zoo located in the heart of the nation's capital, Washington DC. National Zoo is located just a few hours from my house so we love to take our three children and visit each summer. The zoo is FREE and offers a small parking lot that does tend to fill up quickly. If you can, it is best to ride a metro to the National Zoo and walk. The Zoo grounds are open from 6:00 am until 8 pm. The exhibit buildings are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
My kids love the National Zoo
Be sure to purchase a ticket to ride the Carousel (tickets are $3 each)
The National Zoo has many gift stores located throughout the park, but my favorite is the Panda Shop. There are some really adorable stuffed animals in the store, so be ready to make some purchases :)
National Zoo has so many unique and beautiful animals and amazing exhibits. My children absolutely love the Children's Farm which includes a petting zoo area and a really neat playground. The Pizza Garden Playground is an educational and hands on experience geared towards children ages 3-8 years old.
Be sure to check out the map of the zoo before you visit so you can get an idea of just how many exhibits there are and what type of animals you will get to see.
Eating at the Zoo
There are many affordable options at the National Zoo. If you are on the go and don't want spend a lot of time in line I would suggest just grabbing a quick hot dog from a kiosk. If you have more time and want to cool off inside head to the Mane Grill. They have great kids meals and they come with adorable little keepsake boxes that the kids can play with later. Here is a list of all of the options at the zoo. I would highly recommend the Panda Overlook restaurant which serves smoothies, paninis ad wraps.
Here is the map of our Blogorail Peach | Family Adventure : Zoos
- 1st Stop - What's the Point | Staten Island Zoo
- 2nd Stop - Heidi's Head | Cape May County Zoo
- 3rd Stop - Adventures with Toddlers & Preschoolers | Smithsonian's National Zoo
- 4th Stop - Love Our Crazy Life | Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- 5th Stop - Disney Nouns | Brevard Zoo
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I visited this zoo as a child. Then, when Brian and I were first married, we went on a bus trip with my work and took our little 4 year old niece along to this zoo. Nowadays, I have a cousin who lives in close proximity to this zoo - I think we need to make a trip to visit him and explore the zoo again. I love the pandas!
ReplyDeleteLee Beatens says: Good tip to take public transit, as that parking charge is a bit steep! But free admission is good. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is another zoo that I planned on visiting but never made it there. There's SO much to do in DC I always get rerouted. But maybe next trip with the kids, I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnother zoo with free admission! We need some of these closer to my home. (We paid $27 for 2 adults and a child to our itty bitty zoo)
ReplyDeleteI am making sure to put this on my list for if we ever make it to DC
Had no idea it was free! How cool. I know my husband has this on his list for when we visit DC.
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