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The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008. You can get to the Zoo by taking public transportation and driving.

There are pedestrian and vehicle entrances on Connecticut Avenue, at the west side of the Zoo.

There are two entrances for pedestrians and vehicles at the east side of the Zoo, near Rock Creek Park. One is off Rock Creek Parkway, the other is at the intersection of Harvard Street and Adams Mill Road.

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To get to the Zoo by public transportation:

The Zoo's Connecticut Avenue entrance is equidistant from two Metrorail stops. There is a Metrobus stop directly in front of the Zoo. Taking public transportation instead of traveling by car saves natural resources.

To get to the Zoo by bicycle

Capital Bikeshare has stations at the Connecticute Avenue pedestrian entrance (at 3000 Connecticut Avenute 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.

To get to the Zoo by car:

After following the appropriate directions below and arriving at the Zoo, you can enter the Zoo from Connecticut Avenue, Harvard Street, or Rock Creek Parkway Parking in the Zoo and nearby is limited, so we strongly encourage you to use public transportation.

By car from Virginia via:

By car from Maryland via:

Parking:

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

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. We are located in a city, and there is not a lot of street parking in the neighborhood. Much of Parking Lot B has closed due to Elephant Trails construction.

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, from April 10 to June 8, 2012. Reservations for this time will be taken after March 1, 2012, 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.

The Zoo is just a few minutes by public transportation or car from the Capitol, the White House, and the Smithsonian museums on the Mall.

Get directions from the National Zoo to:

 

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