Tips for Visiting the National Zoo (Washington DC)

If you're planning to visit Washington, DC this travel guide will give you all the tips you need to have a fun day at the National Zoo! The zoo is one of the most popular Smithsonian Institution sites and for good reason. Make sure to come prepared so you can get the most out of your trip to the DC zoo.
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~Video Chapters~
0:00 Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington DC
1:35 National Zoo transportation
3:44 Food options at the National Zoo
5:04 Tips for visiting the National Zoo

[@mariejessicaalumaga2426]

Thank you for the tips.

[@johnbrooks8788]

Excellent tips. Thanks!

[@TripHacksDC]

No problem!

[@TerriA25]

Thank you. Going there in a few days. 😊

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@reginaweldon8725]

Thanks for the information Rob

[@TripHacksDC]

No problem.

[@TwirlGirl2197]

Another tip, especially if you won’t have little kids with you that will freak out at the mere suggestion of this, is walk directly to the back and then work your way forward. This way, when you stop to view an animal or eat a meal, you’re getting to take a break from the uphill trek to catch your breath and rest your leg muscles.

[@khall8114]

would recommend the zoo its so close to a metro and a fantastic day out! I had an amazing time while at the zoo with animals I haven't seen before.

[@TripHacksDC]

Very cool!

[@selfcarewithness7235]

I'm a fan of the Asian otters area - when they are out and about, they can be very active and playful!

[@TripHacksDC]

That exhibit is fun!

[@samfish1102]

I love your channel

[@skybluejay9473]

We’ve never been to the zoo, but hoping to go and see the Giant Panda’s and the Red Panda too. Some very useful tips again Rob, thank you

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome! Have fun, Jay.

[@IramRolon]

👍🏽 I greatly appreciate your video. I returned to DC and visited the Zoo for the first time after seeing your video. I follow your recommendations for the best Metro station to use. It was really useful your suggestion on which one to use upon arrival and which one to use upon leaving. I shield myself from distance and time.

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome! Happy to hear it.

[@DejeRobi]

Thank you!

[@TripHacksDC]

You're welcome!

[@vstearman5576]

Used your Cleveland Park recommendation to the zoo. Great tip

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice

[@sonyaLparks]

Great tips. Thank you so much. My family reunion will be attending the zoo early Sept

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@sonyaLparks]

@@TripHacksDC thank you very much

[@Booger414]

Thanks for the great tips. I hadn't been to the National Zoo in years but a couple of years ago we did a winter trip to DC for my wife's birthday and got to see the Christmas decorations at Zoo Lights!

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice. I hope they bring back Zoolights.

[@eflatun161]

thorough guide app is definitely needed, I walked around same spots a number of times since I lost direction. At the end of tour I was shattered. it was so exhausting. Signs are not ample and not guiding. bottom line my favorite is ape they are so creepily human like and hilarious. never miss to get in ape building. by the way note that the only COFFFE truck I saw in the zoo was the one near ape site.

[@nicholasmartins8220]

I wish you had uploaded this video 3 weeks ago when I was in DC lol. I spent a while at the zoo but did not get to see the whole thing because I had other places to go see and the zoo is HUGE.

[@TripHacksDC]

Oh no! What did you want to see that you ran out of time for?

[@nicholasmartins8220]

@@TripHacksDC I wanted to see every single animal at the zoo. Lol

[@alisacrowder4833]

happy mothers days

[@azaleahrose351]

It was fun but I only got 1 hour there because it was a field trip we didn't even get to see half of the zoo but we did have fun like I said

[@skebir2506]

Can't remember what it's like. Like visit was 4 decades ago :)

[@TripHacksDC]

Sounds like it's time for another visit.

[@Mikelovesmuseums]

I’ve been to the zoo many times, but I’m watching this in case there is something I missed!

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice 😀

[@chinaberg]

There is a coffee food truck/trailer at the zoo now.

[@devindavis3660]

Just tried to go today drove an 1 and a half hours to the zoo and didn’t realize you have to purchase parking passes and if u don’t have a parking pass they say to park on the side of the street or at the metro station on Connecticut ave but there was absolutely no parking what so ever I would highly suggest riding the metro in that’s what we are gonna do next time

[@D.N..]

It well worth a visit to see The Panda Bears 🐨

[@TripHacksDC]

🐼🐼🐼

[@sodium6855]

Hi just found your channel and really enjoying it. What are your thoughts on staying in Bethesda?

[@TripHacksDC]

Not one of my recommended areas. Check out www.triphacksdc.com/podcast37

[@chinaberg]

I preferred the regular background.

[@syckindahead]

Cleveland Park exit, got it. I reserved a pass just in case

[@corettejones]

Hi Rob, New Sub!

[@TripHacksDC]

Welcome 👋

[@anna-katehowell9852]

Heading to DC with my roommate 7-14 August this year. The zoo is a big thing on our list. We're both adults, both in poor physical shape, and have a whole morning to explore the zoo. What things should we not miss? Obviously both varieties of panda are must-sees. (Also, it will be roommate's birthday that day!)

[@TripHacksDC]

Happy birthday! I don't really believe it must-dos. Check out the zoo website and make a list of the exhibits that appeal to you. Then pull up the map and strategize which order to do them in.

[@sammichaels3757]

Does the Circulator have a stop at the zoo?

[@andycohn5768]

Is there no exit at the bottom of national zoo for the woodley park metro station? In city mapper, we where at the bottom, and it said to walk back to the top, and then leave the way we came in.

[@TripHacksDC]

No because the zoo runs perpendicular to Connecticut Avenue.

[@dariamancini963]

I will have to go back to see the primates. I quickly ran out of cellphone battery on my first day after visiting the zoo in the morning. Do you know if the zoo has a charging outlet station?

[@Dom-oq5kv]

Please help me out! We are going to Warrenton VA this Friday, planning to be free around 11am and drive to the national mall to spend Friday and Saturday in Washington DC, I’m watching your videos with tons of information but now I can’t decide! Can we find a parking spot near the national mall or is better to use the public transportation? Willing to walk long distances and made the most in a hurry trip 😊

[@TripHacksDC]

Parking recommendations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3yrd5yVobKlrMk

[@samfish1102]

Hey Rob I Have Been to The Smithsonian National Zoo Before it was fun and a great way to escape downtown DC But I have to Agree with you Hack the Next Time I go back to The National Zoo in Washington DC I Will use The Metro From Greenbelt and Transfer at Gallery Place Chinatown to get to the red line and I will take that to the Cleveland park Station and on the way back to Gallery place Chinatown I will go to the Woodley Park Zoo Station and I will take that to Gallery Place Chinatown and Transfer back to The Green line to Greenbelt

[@TripHacksDC]

Good plan 👍

[@toarena1101]

Are you allowed to bring your own mobility scooter into the zoo?

[@ruthglatfelter9581]

Is it a good or bad idea to exit zoo at Beach St exit and walk to Woodley Metro station or is that too far to walk from that exit?

[@TripHacksDC]

It's not too far. But still back uphill.

[@samfish1102]

My favorite animal is a Cheetah

[@pattiebattin315]

I wanna see the red pandas

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

The zoo doesn’t have the array of exotic animals it once had years ago.

[@goofyfaces]

You forgot to show the caricature artists and face painters

[@MrTedrow]

in 1993 to see hsing

[@brownalec602]

Does allowing outside food or beverages include food delivery like Uber eats or Doordash?

[@TripHacksDC]

You have to carry in your own food.

[@lluna374]

Good zoo but expensive food

[@TripHacksDC]

Yeah the food is not the best

[@geekyarleenie]

I'm visiting this zoo just for the pandas! They're my favorite animal.

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice!

[@geekyarleenie]

@@TripHacksDC I've been watching your videos to prepare me for my trip this Thursday. Thank you!!!

[@finnboucher6984]

You can just get an Uber because that’s what my parents did