The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, part of the Smithsonian Institution, sits in Washington DC’s Woodley Park neighborhood and is home to more than 2,000 animals across exhibits spanning several ecosystems, with its giant panda habitat among the most visited attractions.
Admission is free for every visitor, but timed-entry passes are required, including for infants, and are best reserved online in advance to guarantee entry on busy days.
The zoo is open daily from 8am to 6pm from mid-March through mid-September, and 8am to 4pm the rest of the year; allow at least half a day to see the major exhibits at a comfortable pace.
