DC guidebook: Where the Wild Things Are

National Zoo

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

Metro: Woodely Park/National Zoo Stop on the Red Line

Hours: 10am-6pm in the spring & summer

The zoo is also part of the Smithsonian complex, so it has free admission. You have to pay to park- but you probably don’t have a car in Washington DC anyway, if you’re just a tourist.

I was super lucky at the zoo, and got to see lots of animals. I have to say its probably the first time at a zoo that this occurred- usually you see some shadows moving somewhere in the back of the exhibits, but this time I got lots of good pictures of adorable creatures. The highlights were the baby lions and the tiger. I mean, baby lions. How could you resist?

However, there were lots of other animals- bears, anteaters, monkeys, lots of creatures to satisfy everyone. The small mammal house is probably a good choice- lots of small furry creatures, including lemurs, golden tamarin monkeys, Meer cats. Tons of fun. The great ape house was also neat, but smelled a bit like a barn. I don’t think I’ve ever seen gorillas the close before. I skipped the reptile house and the invertebrates- I like furry creatures.

Overall, the zoo was fun. I feel like I was really lucky to see the big cats- I went on an overcast day that wasn’t so burning hot, so that probably helped. It is a lot of walking, like the rest of DC, so be prepared.