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Join FONZ

Your FONZ membership is vital to ensuring the Zoo can continue its commitment to be the best in animal care, conservation, education and sustainability.

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Premier Plus$114

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Free Parking
During regular, daytime visits to the Zoo – Parking reservation currently required*

Carousel, Train, and other seasonal attractions
Carousel and Train are currently closed due to COVID-19*

Cardholders
Up to three named adult cardholders

  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Priority registration and big discounts on popular Zoo event tickets
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenewGift

Premier$84

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Free Parking
During regular, daytime visits to the Zoo – Parking reservation currently required*

Carousel, Train, and other seasonal attractions
Carousel and Train are currently closed due to COVID-19*

Cardholders
Up to two named adult cardholders

  • Up to two named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Punch card valid for eight carousel, train or other seasonal attraction rides*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenewGift

Standard$64

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Carousel, Train, and other seasonal attractions
Carousel and Train are currently closed due to COVID-19*

15% Discount
On food and merchandise, and discounts on events

Cardholder
One named adult cardholder

Note: this level does not include free parking benefits

  • One named adult cardholder
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Punch card valid for eight carousel, train or other seasonal attraction rides*
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Benefactor Circle$1,000

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

One exclusive Meet-a-Keeper Tour
Tours are currently not available due to COVID-19

This tour offers you the opportunity to find out more about an exhibit directly from an animal care expert.

For more information on how to schedule your Guided Specialty Tours and/or Meet-A-Keeper Tour, please contact us.

Free Parking
During regular, daytime visits to the Zoo - Parking reservation currently required

Invitation to an Annual Breakfast
Our Members' Breakfast with the Curators*

  • Invitations to VIP exhibit openings*
  • Members' Breakfast with the Curators*
  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Sponsor Circle$500

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Two Guided Specialty Tours of your choice
Tours are currently not available due to COVID-19

Free Parking
During regular, daytime visits to the Zoo - Parking reservation currently required

Cardholders
Up to three named adult cardholders

  • Invitations to VIP exhibit openings*
  • Members' Breakfast with the Curators*
  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Priority registration and big discounts on popular Zoo event tickets
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Patron Circle$250

Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

One Guided Specialty Tour of your choice
Tours are currently not available due to COVID-19

Patrons are invited to choose one Guided Specialty Tour: Endangered Species, Hidden Gems, Kiss and Tail, or Upper Zoo. Each tour provides fascinating glimpses into the cutting-edge science and conservation work that your support makes possible.

For more information on how to schedule your Guided Specialty Tour, please contact us.

Endangered Species Tour
Looking to learn more about the conservation efforts to save endangered species? This tour explores many of the species at the Smithsonian's National Zoo that are facing, or have faced, the danger of extinction. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the amazing ways these animals have adapted to their habitats, how they are being threatened in the wild, and what you can do to help.

Hidden Gems Tour
Do you think you know everything about the giant pandas, elephants, great cats, and the Zoo's other most famous animals? This tour takes you "off-the-beaten path" and introduces you to some of the Zoo's most interesting yet lesser-known animals, such as Andean bears, caracals, and elephant shrews. Who knows? You just may find your new favorite animal!

Kiss and Tail Tour
Looking for something a little more wild? Join this adults-only tour and learn about the fascinating world of animal dating and mating. This tour visits cheetahs, zebras, Przewalski's horses, giant pandas, Big Cats, Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, and Reptile Discovery Center.

Upper Zoo Tour
Want to spend more time learning about animals and less time walking? Join our Upper Zoo Tour. This two-hour tour allows you to really get to know the animals in the three exhibits at the upper part of the Zoo, including cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards, sloth bears, and more.

Each tour group can have one to ten members. That size fosters the best possible learning environment for you and your guests.

Free Parking
During regular, daytime visits to the Zoo – Parking reservation currently required*

Cardholders
Up to three adult named cardholders

  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenewGift

Ambassador Council$10,000

For the health and safety of our living collections, animal care staff, volunteers, and visitors, membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19. We are immensely grateful for your understanding. We look forward to fulfilling these benefits as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, we will continue to offer behind-the-scenes virtual access and engagement for all Council members as opportunities arise.

  • All Explorer Council benefits
  • Participation in a special virtual Director’s Update
  • Invitations to VIP exhibit openings*
  • Members' Breakfast with the Curators*
  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Explorer Council$5,000

For the health and safety of our living collections, animal care staff, volunteers and visitors, membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19. We are immensely grateful for your understanding. We look forward to fulfilling these benefits as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, we will continue to offer behind-the-scenes virtual access and engagement for all Council members as opportunities arise.

  • All Director Council benefits
  • Invitation to a special Members' Roundtable Discussion with senior staff
  • Invitations to VIP exhibit openings*
  • Members' Breakfast with the Curators*
  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Director Council$2,500

For the health and safety of our living collections, animal care staff, volunteers and visitors, membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19. We are immensely grateful for your understanding. We look forward to fulfilling these benefits as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, we will continue to offer behind-the-scenes virtual access and engagement for all Council members as opportunities arise.

  • Invitations to Council level events, including private receptions, annual programs and exclusive events sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, such as the Annual Smithsonian Weekend*
  • Invitation to the Annual Donor Dinner*
  • Name recognition in the Smithsonian Institution annual report and the donor wall at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
  • All Benefactor benefits
  • Invitations to VIP exhibit openings*
  • Members' Breakfast with the Curators*
  • Opportunities to attend talks with animal experts*
  • Up to three named adult cardholders
  • Access to free parking during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo*
  • 15% discount on food and merchandise
  • Unlimited carousel, train and other seasonal attraction rides with your member card during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo for up to 4 riders per visit*
  • Priority registration and big discounts on Zoo education programs
  • Invitations to animal previews and exhibit openings*
  • Weekly Zoo Friends members-only e-newsletter
  • Free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide
  • Discounts on stroller rentals*
JoinRenew

Over 62? FONZ offers senior discounts at the Standard, Premier and Premier Plus levels.

* Membership benefits, including parking and rides, will be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19. Free parking, carousel, train and other seasonal attractions are only available during regular, daytime visits to the Zoo and not during special events. Unlimited free rides, when back in operation, are available for up to 4 riders per visit. All benefits are subject to change and based on availability.

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