Top 13 Zoos in Washington DC for a Great Family Experience

Top 13 Zoos in Washington DC for a Great Family Experience

Planning a fun weekend can be daunting, especially if you have young children. However, living in the DC area means you can take them to one of the many Washington DC zoos near you.

The diversity of wildlife will not only captivate them but will ensure that you and your family spend some quality time together!

If you are in Washington, DC, with your family, here are some of the best zoos you can visit!

List of 13 Best Zoos in Washington DC

1. Smithsonian National Zoological Park

The National Zoological Park is one of the oldest zoos in America. The park is run by the Smithsonian Institute, which aims to promote the conservation of animals and raise public awareness of these species.

The zoo is free of charge and sees an annual footfall of approximately 1.8 million visitors worldwide. It is home to 14 different exhibits of different species of animals, birds, and reptiles.  

• Location: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost- free
• Number of animals: 2700
• Number of species: 390
• Number of Restaurants: 4

Amenities: Indoor gift store and outdoor kiosk, drinking water fountain, strollers and wheelchairs (electric wheelchairs for rent available), disabled access, restrooms, service animals allowed  

2. Asia Trail

The Asia Trail is among the most popular exhibits in the Smithsonian Zoo. While it houses red pandas, fishing cats, and the ever-so-sleazy bear, the most famous resident of this exhibit is the giant panda.

This trail enclosure mimics the natural habitat while helping them behave like they would in the wild.  

Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States  

• Cost -free
• Animals found: giant panda, red panda, clouded panda, sloth bear.
• Don’t miss the Panda family, Tian Tian, ​​Mei Jiang, and their cubs.

3. Kid’s Farm

This kid-friendly exhibit at the Smithsonian Zoo offers an excellent opportunity to interact with pets in close quarters, making it one of the best family-oriented zoos in Washington, DC.

Animals are encouraged to behave naturally thanks to innovative training techniques and equipment used by their highly qualified trainers.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost- free
• Animals found: Alpaca, cows, goats, miniature donkeys, Osaba Island hogs, and chickens.
• Don’t miss Orion and Cirrus, two male alpacas, during their shearing in April.

4. Elephant Trails

This exhibit at the Smithsonian Zoo is dedicated exclusively to the care of Asian elephants. The trainers here plan activities for these gentle animals so that every new day brings something different and fun.

Tourists can see elephants playing and bathing in the open. The afternoon will give you a chance to watch them feed and take a nap.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Asian elephant.
• Don’t miss: Herd of elephants bathes and roams during the day.

5. Reptile Discovery Center

If creepy crawlies fascinate you, the Reptile Discovery Center exhibit is the perfect place for zoos in Washington, DC. Filled with 70 different species, the enclosure allows you to see some of the rarest and most beautiful looking reptiles found in the wild.

From the Komodo dragon, the world’s most giant lizard, to the brightly colored venomous pit viper, you can watch them hide or glide through various displays.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Reptiles, snakes, and lizards.
• Don’t miss: the Aldabra tortoise, one of the zoo’s oldest inhabitants, and the Panamanian golden frog, now extinct in the wild.

6. Small Mammal House

With over 35 beautiful species in the enclosure, the tiny mammal house is one of the most mischievous and lively exhibits at the Smithsonian Zoo.

Tall trees, chunky mulch, and rocky surroundings mimic the natural habitat of these animals, challenging animals just like nature.

Here visitors can enjoy the plantations swinging from branch to branch or observe sand cats while they assess their desert-like surroundings.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: sloths, monkeys, tamarins, coatis, and arakaris
• Don’t miss: a pair of golden lion tamarinds and Goeldi’s monkeys jumping trees.

7. American Trail

Curious visitors from American marine and amphibian life forms are in for a treat at the American Trail.

Exhibits within the Smithsonian Zoo focus on species unique to North America, such as seals, wolves, and beavers, while leading conservation efforts that have saved some of them from extinction.

The enclosure is carefully designed to make the animals feel at home, allowing them to display their natural behavior to the delight of the guests.

Visitors have a great chance to witness the underwater shenanigans of playful seals. 

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Seals, wolves, pelicans, bald eagles, crows, seals, and sea lions.
• Don’t Miss: The Bald Eagle, the USA’s national bird, and an underwater seal display.

8. Primates

If you’re interested in learning more about the species from which humans originated, look no further than the Smithsonian Zoo’s Primates Exhibit.

Home to about a dozen primates such as gorillas and orangutans, these animals captivate visitors with their daring stunts and acrobatics.

Lemur Island is home to various lemurs, the lazy antics of which serve as a source of entertainment for visitors and trainers alike.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Lemurs, orangutans, gorillas, gibbons, and monkeys.
• Don’t miss: 50ft suspended O-line, Orangutan Tug of War, and Orangutans traveling along Lemur Island.

9. Great Cats

If your passion for wildlife is roaring lions and running feral cats, then the Smithsonian Zoo’s Great Cats exhibit will enthrall you.

These apex predators attract the attention of both young and old because of their majestic looks and razor-sharp instincts.

The Great Cats Display is frequently visited by tourists and locals alike and is one of the most famous zoos in Washington, DC.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Found animals: lions and tigers
• Don’t miss Damai; the zoo’s only Sumatran tiger.

10. Bird House

The Smithsonian Zoo’s Bird House exhibit is a pioneer in understanding the migratory movements of flying species.

The exhibit features nearly 100 species of birds worldwide, ranging from songbirds to herons.

Established in 1928, it has now undergone renovations and is set to open in 2021, the largest of its kind in the US.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost: Free
• Animals Found: Geese, Herons, Swallows, Swifts, Hummingbirds, Robins
• Don’t Miss: Seasonal Migratory Birds That Migrate During the exhibition come continents

11. Amazonia

The Smithsonian’s Amazonia exhibit mimics the natural conditions along the Amazon River, the world’s largest river basin.

As a result, it houses one of the zoo’s most diverse collections of animals. You can encounter a variety of animals, from bears and sloths to salamanders and emperor tamarins.

The exhibit is also home to various birds and corals, an active focus of the conservation program.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Bears, sloths, monkeys, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and corals.
• Don’t miss Arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fish, and Coral Lab, Coral Conservation Center.

12. American Bison

The American bison served as the inspiration for the establishment of the Smithsonian Zoo in 1887. The exhibit has since become a pioneer in bison conservation, with specially designed enclosures to mimic their natural habitats.

Highly skilled trainers also ensure that they maintain most of their natural behaviors to ensure smooth rehabilitation in the future.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: American bison.
• Don’t miss Lucy and Galley, two bison, as they forage for food within the enclosure.

13. Cheetah Conservation Station

Despite the name, the Cheetah Conservation Station is home to several species facing extinction threats.

While cheetahs steal the spotlight of the crowd, the enclosure also houses zebras, gazelles, and hornbills.

The variety of animals within the enclosure allows them to interact like in the wild, demonstrating their sharp predatory skills and survival methods.  

• Location: Within the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
• Cost – free
• Animals found: Cheetah, Hornbill, Vulture, Zebra, Hog, and Oryx.
• Don’t miss Justin, Donnie, Copley, three male cheetahs, and the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill.

So if you’re looking for a chance to reconnect with nature and wildlife in the Washington DC area, be sure to include these zoos in your plans!

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