Smithsonian's National Zoo

Our trip to Zoo was fun filled and quite entertaining for our 3.5 year old one. Getting early to the zoo by 930 AM had its advantages and we were able to secure a parking spot closer to the zoo. Entry to the zoo is free but not the map. You can buy the booklet along with the map for $5 each. They also provide stroller rentals which would be quite a convenience when you have toddlers.

We parked at Lot D and started on the Olmstead walk heading to the Lion and tiger enclosures first. The lionesses were growling and provided a great photo shoot. Our kid enjoyed the Carousel right next to the cats enclosure. We then headed to the great Ape house where the Orangutans were let out to walk on the O-Line , it being a sunny day! Be advised that the great ape house smells a lot being a closed enclave. Then was the reptile house where we visited Pythons, Boa, Rattle snakes, Alligators, and such interesting reptiles of different species. We were lucky to view the Rattle snakes putting up a great show crawling on the glass windows.

An Orangutan on the O-Line across the Great Ape House

The Reptile house, Great Ape house and Small Mammal house are all lined with benches outside to sit and relax. I relaxed on the bench as my family members visited the great Ape house which I was not so keen on due to my sensitivity to smells. The small mammal house is home to Lemurs, meerkats, naked mole-rats, Golden Lion Tamarin,porcupines etc. We enjoyed fresh pretzels from the Pretzel & Ice stand  after heading out of the small Mammal house right next to the Hot Dog Diner after failing to find vegetarian food/ snacks in the Hot Dog Diner.

Panda playing in the open enclosure 

We headed to the Elephant community center bypassing the Elephant outpost. As it was a sunny afternoon, we found the elephants in the community center relaxing and chewing on grass. There was some great information on the elephants and fun activities there in the center. We headed to the Panda Habitat right after it. We visited the lower level enclosure first for a closer look at the Panda playing in the grassy open enclosure and then to the overlook level  that lead us to the Panda  indoor habitat too where we found more pandas, babies and information.

Our next stop was at the bird house most of the indoor habitat which was under construction but, we thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor habitat with a colorful display of Spoon bills, Flamingos and cranes. Our patience was awarded when the peacock displayed its grand feathers. We took a long walk around the enclosure and ended crossing the bridge that gives a great view of the outpost and lead us to the panda area again. We skipped the cheetah area.

The Andean Bear cubs on American Trail

 We headed back on Olmsted walk and headed towards Elephant outpost this time to head to the American trail where the seals put up a great fight and the other seal entertained the kids at the lower level view behind the glass. When the kids moved their hands in circles, the seal turned in circles as if chasing its tail following the hand movements of the kids. We could spot neither otters nor wolves on the American Trial. The Andean Bears were fighting playfully in the evening and was a great attraction.



We then headed to Amazonia where it is best to park your strollers outside as there are steps to climb and not sure if there is an elevator available. It is worth visiting this with great fish, Eels, sting ray, turtles  in big tanks, and then a collection of Piranhas, and other fish in tiny tanks. On the top floor is a setup of an Amazon forest scene with birds, small monkeys left open. Be careful not to carry any food items as that might attract the animals or birds. Also, do not tease or try to touch the animals.  Don't miss the beetle shaped display before exiting that is arranged with a variety of beetles found in the amazon forest.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry light as there is quite a bit of walk involved. It is a good idea to carry snacks and food considering that we did not find many vegetarian options until we reached the panda plaza. The vending machines ran out of water bottles. Again, the choices were very limited. There is a zoo App that you can download on the phone prior to your visit. Keep hand sanitizer handy.

The kids farm was mentioned to be closed due to construction but on our way out, we found out that there were a few animals available to pet in the kids farm. A great place for a day trip!


Website - https://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/