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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is free and open every day of the year, except December 25.

Exhibits and most concessions are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Visitors can park and enter the grounds beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Visitor Center and Panda Plaza open at 9 a.m. daily. Exhibits and concessions are closing at 4:30 p.m. except during ZooLights.

Although some areas are closed while we build exciting new exhibits, most exhibits are open. Cheetahs, Przewalski's horses, lions, tigers, gorillas, birds, and many other animals can be seen outside much of the time, many more are on exhibit throughout the day in our air-conditioned buildings (including the Reptile Discovery Center, Invertebrate Exhibit, Small Mammal House, Bird House, and Amazonia). We apologize if you are unable to see any of your favorite animals during your visit.

Early Closings and Late Opening

On occasion, the National Zoo closes early or opens late to host special events. Find out more.

Please note: If you are interested in visiting a specific animal exhibit, please check the animal program (menu at left) for exhibit-specific information.

Getting to the Zoo

The Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008. You can get to the Zoo by public transportation and by car. Find out more.

Public Transportation

By Metro: Take the Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan stop or the Cleveland Park stop. The Zoo entrance is halfway between these stops and both are a short walk from the Zoo. Find out about taking Metro bus to the Zoo. The pedestrian entrance is on Connecticut Avenue.

Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park Metro stations will be closed for construction on January 28 and 29. Bus service will replace Metro service on those days.

Biking

Capital Bikeshare has stations at the Connecticut Avenue pedestrian entrance (at 3000 Connecticut Avenue NW) and at the Harvard Street gate (Harvard Street and Adams Mill Road NW). Find out more about Capital Bikeshare.

Note: Biking is permitted only on public vehicle roads. Riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, and the like is prohibited on all pedestrian walkways. While in the Zoo, you must park or walk or carry your bike, scooter, skateboard, etc. There are bike racks near the Visitor Center and at Lion-Tiger Hill.

Driving

There are vehicle entrances on Connecticut Avenue at the west side of the Zoo and near Rock Creek Park at the east side of the Zoo. See a map and get driving directions.

Parking

Parking is $16 for the first three hours, and $22 for more than three hours. Parking is free for FONZ members during regular daytime hours. Every dollar you spend at the Zoo—for parking, food, and gifts—supports our education, research, and conservation efforts.

Please note: During ZooLights—November 25-December 11 (Friday through Sunday nights) and December 16-January 1 (every night except December 24, 25, and 31)—parking at the Zoo after 5 p.m. will cost $9 for members and $16 for nonmembers. These rates apply to anyone leaving Zoo parking lots after 5 p.m.

Please note: The Zoo is a popular destination and lots fill early in the day during spring break and summer, so we encourage you to take the Metro. The Zoo is located within Washington, D.C., and there is not a lot of street parking in the neighborhood. In September 2010, most of Parking Lot B closed due to Elephant Trails construction and will be closed until further notice.

Tour bus parking is extremely limited, and can be guaranteed only to groups that book one of our Group Safari Packages. Tour buses may not drop off passengers on Connecticut Avenue. This is both unsafe and illegal.

School Buses

During the school year, reserved bus parking is available only during the busy spring season. Reservations for this time may be made on or after March 1 by calling 202.633.4480. Parking for the remainder of the school year is available most weekdays. On weekends and during the summer, bus parking is not available. Find out about group packages. Get resources for your field trip.