Planning a Field Trip
Teacher/Trip Leader FAQs
What is the cost of admission for the National Zoo?
The National Zoo is FREE! The National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution—all of its D.C. museums are free.
What are the best times to visit the Zoo?
Fall and winter are our favorite times to bring school groups. The Zoo isn’t very crowded and even “warm weather” animals like cheetahs are active in cooler weather. Before making your plans, please always check this page to see if there are any notices about early closings to allow us to prepare for special Zoo-wide events. On these day, your visit will be severely impacted by exhibit closures or a general early Zoo closing.
Do I need to register for a field trip?
No. If you plan to come and enjoy the Zoo with your class, grade, or school, you do not need to register in advance.
Our group will be arriving by bus or large van. What do I need to do? How much does it cost?
Bus parking is free, but please read the following information carefully. If your trip is in the fall or winter, you do not need to make advance reservations. If you plan on visiting the Zoo between April 26 and June 10, 2011 please contact Guest Services at 202.633.4480 at least three weeks prior to your trip to make parking arrangements. Guest Services begins taking bus reservations on March 1 annually. If you are coming between June 25 and August 26, 2011, we cannot offer bus parking. Buses must always drop off and pick up students in our secure Bus Zone, located between A and B lots. Once your students have disembarked, buses will either be directed to the appropriate parking lot or asked to leave the park for the duration of your trip. There is limited bus parking in the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park neighborhoods surrounding the Zoo. Please note that it is illegal and dangerous to let your students on and off the bus from Connecticut Avenue and the lower area of the Zoo.
Do you still have a Zoo Bus that can pick us up at school?
Yes! If you live within 20 miles of the Zoo, we can arrange for our bus to come and pick you up. Please contact Guest Services at 202.633.4480 for rental rates and available dates. We require at least three weeks' notice for rental. The Zoo Bus can hold a maximum of 38 people
(students, teachers, and chaperones), so plan accordingly.
Our group is arriving by car. Can we get free parking?
Unfortunately, no. FONZ members receive free parking, so we suggest carpooling with your group’s FONZ members. No one in your group is a FONZ member? Become one today
or visit an information kiosk to join FONZ during your trip.
Do you offer guided tours? What about behind-the-scenes tours?
We do not offer guided tours on weekdays. We have many exciting and educational offerings such as Daily Programs, which are free and open to the public. For the safety of our animals and visitors alike, we do not offer behind-the-scenes tours.
Please also look out for our volunteer interpreters, who are our front-line educators. Interpreters wear red or navy polo shirts and a name badge. They often have interesting artifacts, animal objects, or photographs to share. Our interpreters are here to interact with your group, so ask lots of questions!
Our class once came for a pre-scheduled school program. Do you still offer these programs?
Unfortunately, no. We will not offer pre-scheduled exhibit programs, or programs-by-request, in 2011. Please check back in the future for all new on-site school programs!
Our class is studying a very specific topic or animal. Can you do a special program for us?
No. We do not offer special programs.
We are studying a particular animal. Can we go behind the scenes to see it?
No. We do not offer behind-the-scenes tours. This is for the safety of your group and our animals.
Our group is coming on a weekend. What can you do for us?
We suggest bringing your group to our Daily Programs, which are free and open to the public. While we can occasionally schedule a special program for your group, please note that we have reduced staff and increased visitorship on weekends. It is not always possible to hold an additional program.
What sorts of educational resources do you have for groups to use while at the Zoo?
Activity Sheets are one-page activities that will guide your group all over the Zoo, while providing lots of fun and education.
Can we bring backpacks?
Yes. Please note, however, that there are no storage facilities or lockers.
Can we bring food and drink into the Zoo?
Yes. The Zoo is a great place to picnic. We have two large outdoor eating areas—the Panda Plaza (upper Zoo) and the Picnic Pavilion (lower Zoo). There are smaller seating areas throughout the Zoo. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can we purchase food?
Yes. Meals costs about $10 per person. There are several food vendors throughout the park. You can also purchase pre-packaged group meals online.
Where can we get maps?
You can download maps for free, or you can purchase maps for $2 at the information kiosks located throughout the Zoo.
We cannot come to the Zoo, can you come to us for a class visit or Career Day?
Unfortunately, we cannot. We receive many requests each year for school visits, and we cannot accommodate them at this time. We suggest contacting your local wildlife rehabilitators to see if they can send a representative.
Can my student shadow or interview a keeper?
No. We receive many requests each year for interviews and shadows. We simply cannot meet the demand. We have many good staff interviews and bios on our website for students to use.
Do you host teacher or professional workshops?
Not at this time. We hope to have new educator workshops and trainings in the future.
