Hours and Admission
The National Zoo is open every day of the year* except December 25 and is located at:

  3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
  Washington, DC 20008

Admission is always FREE!


Hours*
  Grounds Buildings**
Apr Open from
6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Open from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov Open from
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Open from
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar

*Early Closings and Late Opening
Please note: Occasionally, the Zoo closes early for very special events. Once a year, the Zoo opens late. Details will be posted below. We apologize for any inconvenience.

January 19-20, 2009: The Zoo will close early. Buildings will close at 4 p.m., and the grounds will close at 5 p.m. See details about inauguration weekend.

March 14, 2009: The Zoo will open late for Cockadoodle Zoo, our annual member-appreciation event.

May 14 and June 12, 2009: The Zoo will close early for ZooFari and Guppy Gala.

October 22-25, 2009: The Zoo will close early for Boo at the Zoo.

December 2008 (dates TBD): The Zoo will close early for ZooLights.

** The last admission to buildings is 15 minutes before closing time.

Educational Activities

Activity Sheets: Print and Bring to the Zoo
PDFHome Sweet Habitat Scavenger Hunt
PDFCreature Features Scavenger Hunt
PDFUse Your Senses, Test Your Skills
PDFZoo-per Bingo

Animal Demonstration Schedule

 

Highlights
Giant pandas—See Tai Shan, the Zoo's panda cub.
Asia Trail
Kandula, the Zoo's young Asian elephant
Tigers and lions
Bald Eagle Refuge
Golden lion tamarins
Amazonia
Kids' Farm

Essential Information
Getting to the Zoo (Directions and Parking)
Take Metro!
Accessibility
Tips for Visiting
Panda Hotel Packages
Group Packages
Shops, Food, and Amenities
Park Rules and Security
Zoo Map
Animals at the Zoo
Daily Schedule
Zoo News

Friends of the National Zoo
Member benefits include free parking. click toJoin now!

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