The National Zoo: An Overview

Ask anyone who's met me since I moved to DC (or, probably, since I found my apartment), and they'll tell you that the Smithsonian National Zoo in Woodley Park is by far my favorite attraction in DC. Maybe it's because I miss my dog, Cazi, so much, or because I haven't quite given up on my dream of being a Disney princess to whom animals flock.

Cazi. You're welcome for restraining myself from posting all the pictures I have of her.

This is pretty much my dream. photo credit

Anyway, since I live so close to the zoo, I've gone there almost every weekend since I moved in. Doing so has helped me learn the tricks to making sure your zoo experience is fun and as stress-free as possible. My first Tip: go on a weekday if you can. The zoo is much less crowded when the children of the area are in school or summer camp, and their parents are at work. However, this doesn't work for most people's schedules, so here are my weekend tips:

1. Go to the zoo early. I'm talking pre-brunch early. The grounds open at 6:00 am, which is when you'll see the crazy people going on runs, and the buildings open at 10:00 am. I suggest going around 9:00 am and starting at Asia Trail (where you can hopefully see the pandas, who are more active in the morning, if they're outside).
   

   

   This is Mei Xiang, the mom. She's eating a popsicle!

   When you're almost at the pandas, you'll pass by a bridge to the Bird House. I absolutely love the Bird House, but recommend waiting to cross the bridge until after 10, when the building will open. There are some really cool birds outside, though, if you just want to make a quick trip while you're there!
   

   

   These flamingos are a small part of the enormous flock that lives outside the Bird House. 

   You'll exit the trail near the elephant house (its official name is Pachyderm Plaza) - if you can't see many elephants outside (there are seven), it's worth going inside the building to see if they're inside.
   

   

   This elephant is eating hay from the barrel on the right of the photograph. This was taken around 2 pm on a Sunday - the building was very crowded, but it was still easy to see and admire the elephants.

   Once you pass the elephants, your next stop should be American Trail, where you'll see otters, wolves, and seals/sea lions!
   

   

   The harbor seals always look relaxed and refreshed. This guy isn't at the zoo, but there are plenty like him! photo credit 

   The trail will take you right to Amazonia, which is a cool building set up to be like a field station in the Amazon, and which includes a section that is meant to be like the Amazon, with plants from the rainforest and with animals roaming free. They generally don't get very close to people, but it's really cool to look up and see a monkey just sitting in the tree above you! If it's not 10 yet, just keep walking - there's plenty more to see outside!
   

   

   This bird apparently wanted to pretend he was viewing, not a part of, the exhibit.

   After Amazonia, you'll be at the Kids' Farm. I'm not a huge fan of the farm - the animals are the same ones you can see at every county fair in the Midwest - but one of the cool parts about it is that you can pet the animals!
   

   

   The goats have a great setup and seem very happy on the farm!

   You'll get back to Olmstead Walk (the main path), and will see the prairie dogs, which are always fun to watch, and then the Great Cats. These guys are always so regal. In addition, there are two one-year-old tiger cubs who love to play (I've seen them spend over 10 minutes trying to open a watermelon), and four brand-new lion cubs! The lion cubs are only out from 11 am - 1 pm, according to the zoo's website, but their parents are usually outside throughout the day. The cubs are definitely worth a quick walk back, though, if you pass the Great Cats and don't see them!
   

   

   So cute! photo credit 

   Near the cats is Lemur Island, which is also home to a whole bunch of turtles. The lemurs are visible through the glass in the back. After Lemur Island, you'll get to the Think Tank, which is home to intellectual enrichment for the apes, and the Invertebrate House. I've actually never been inside here, but I'll report back in a future post. Surrounding the building, though, are the tortoises and the Komodo dragon, one of my favorite animals to watch.
   

   

   Look, he's not scary at all - so playful! photo credit 

   You might wonder why there are random telephone lines in this part of the zoo. That's called the O-Line! It's how the orangutans get from their place in the Great Apes House to the Think Tank, and you can see them swinging along if you're lucky!

   

   I always hope they'll climb down and hold my hand and walk around with me - so far, no luck.

   If you've made it this far, it's definitely past 10 am, so you can go into the Great Apes House and the Small Mammal House, both of which are excellent. If you're there at 2 pm, you can even meet a small mammal. 

   

   These are the naked mole rats I met in the Small Mammal House. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little grossed out and a little disappointed they didn't look like Rufus from Kim Possible...

   Finally, you're heading back to the beginning. It's an uphill walk, so this is a great opportunity to take a break and grab some lunch or a snack (or unwrap the picnic you so wisely decided to bring), and just sit down. On your way out, see if the pandas are active (you'll be able to tell by the fact that there will be a long line of people). If they are, it's worth waiting in line to see them.
   

   

   Mei Xiang is very friendly when she's inside the exhibit. She walks up to the glass and sits there looking at people!

   You can also stop by the Savannah animals (cheetahs and zebras, for example), and then pop across the street to FroZenYo if you want something cold to eat! If you do all this, it will be a long and probably exhausting trip, but you'll have seen everything, and hopefully beaten the afternoon rush!
2. Check the events calendar. The zoo has lots of cool events going on throughout the day, where you can see the animals eat, hear from the zookeepers, or watch the animals learn. The daily schedule can be found here; plan your visit accordingly!
3. Don't be afraid to go by yourself. Being with other people at the zoo can be a hassle; people get tired or hungry at different times, they like certain animals more than others, and it's much harder to maneuver a group than your own person. It's obviously more fun to go with your friends, but it's also a great place to just go for a walk if you need some alone time or light exercise.
4. Follow the children. Obviously, don't be a creep, but this is a good strategy for a few reasons. First, they're adorable, especially if they've recently learned the name of an animal or the sound that it makes. They get so excited! More importantly, they (often with the help of their parents) are always able to spot the animals within the exhibits, which can be useful when you're trying to find that easily-camouflaged giant salamander (near the pandas). Try to switch up which families you follow around, please.
5. Talk to the volunteers. These people are always able to tell you which animals are inside, sleeping, or better-viewed from a different angle. They're also very knowledgeable and have great tidbits to share! Volunteers at the zoo actually have to apply for their positions, which are quite competitive, according to the website.
6. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The zoo is an outdoor, pretty expansive, crowded place. The last thing you want to do is have sore feet or be constantly adjusting your outfit all day. My favorite strategy is to wear workout clothes and pretend I'm coming from or going to the gym. 
7. Bring a water bottle. Drinks at the zoo are expensive! There are water fountains, but not everywhere, and you'll want to make sure you stay hydrated and happy throughout your whole visit. For reference, there are water fountains inside the Visitor Center, and at various points along the trails. They are marked on the map below.
8. Pack food. If you're planning on eating lunch/dinner at the zoo, it's healthiest and cheapest to bring your own food. The zoo does have plenty of great options (I'm partial to the paninis at Panda Overlook Cafe, and the tacos from the cart in Panda Plaza), but in case nothing on the menu strikes your fancy, bringing your own food is a safe bet.
9. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses or a hat. It's sunny in DC! You'll be outside for most of your visit, so plan accordingly. Bring sunscreen, too, so you can reapply!
10. Budget extra time to leave. The walk from the back of the zoo (Kids' Farm) to the entrance is uphill and always feels longer than the walk from the entrance, so just keep this in mind when planning your exit. You can exit the zoo from the back, but if you're trying to get to the Woodley Park or Cleveland Park metro stops, you'll want to go out the front entrance. 
11. Print a map. There are plenty of maps throughout the zoo, but I think it's always best to be prepared. Here's a link: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/zoomap.pdf  

And, in case you're short on time, here are some of my favorite places at the zoo, listed in order if you follow the route I described above:

1. Asian small-clawed otters: They're really cute, and Whole Foods named them all things like Rutabaga, Chowder, and Pork Chop. 
2. Pandas: Obviously.
3. Bird House: Just do a quick lap around the outside, and you'll see flamingos, cranes, cassowaries, emus, and kori bustards (which are pretty funny looking). 
4. Asian elephants: They're pretty active, and always look like they're smiling!
5. Seals & sea lions: They always seem to be having a good time.
6. Great cats
7. Komodo dragon
8. Great Apes building: They often interact with visitors through the glass, or with each other.

And you're done!

What to Bring
Bring a water bottle, picnic food or snacks, a camera, sunscreen, and sunglasses or a hat.

What You'll Spend
If you're planning on buying food there, plan to spend $10-15 for a meal. Otherwise, nothing, unless you visit the gift shop or make a donation!

How to Get There
The zoo does offer parking, but it costs $22 for non-members! I recommend taking the Metro; the zoo is equidistant from the Woodley Park-Zoo stop and the Cleveland Park stop. The walk from Woodley Park is slightly uphill, while the walk from Cleveland Park is flat. If you don't want to walk (about half a mile), you can catch a bus from either stop. From Woodley Park, cross Connecticut Avenue and catch an L2 or L4 bus, in the direction of Chevy Chase Circle. The third stop is the Zoo stop and is right at the Zoo entrance. From Cleveland Park, exit on the west side of the street (by the restaurant Indique) and catch an L1 or L2 bus, in the direction of Dupont Circle or McPherson Square. The third stop is the Zoo stop and is across the street from the Zoo entrance. Check here for more information!

When to Go

On weekends - I cannot stress this enough - go in the morning. It's cooler, the animals are more active, and it's less crowded. This also prevents your entire day from getting away from you; you want to be able to stay and watch if something interesting happens, not frantically rush to the exit and miss your favorite animal. If you don't want to wake up early, I suggest Sunday over Saturday.

What's Around
Right across Connecticut Avenue is a FroZenYo, which I've mentioned before as one of my favorite frozen yogurt places in the District. On the way to Cleveland Park, there is a movie theater and some various restaurants. There is also the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, which offers free Wi-Fi and, of course, books. Back at the Woodley Park Metro Stop, there's a Noodles and Company, Chipotle (where Barack Obama once broke a cardinal Chipotle rule), and some local restaurants. My favorite is Lebanese Taverna, where the pita and hummus is amazing!

The Crowd
The zoo is primarily filled with children and their parents, as well as plenty of tourists from other states or countries. There are also plenty of locals running through, but they don't stick around for long.