Tips for visiting the National Zoo
If you're taking the Metro to the National Zoo in Washington DC, get out at the Cleveland Park station -- NOT Woodley Park/Zoo! It's actually about the same distance from either of these stations to the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue (about a 10 to 12 minute walk) -- but the walk from the Cleveland Park station is slightly downhill, whereas the walk from the Woodley Park station is all uphill. You’ll be really glad you took the downhill route and not the uphill one if you’re going to the Zoo on a hot summer day.
You can rent strollers at the Zoo. Ask at the Information kiosks located near the entrance and the restaurants. Both single and double strollers should be available.
The National Zoo has several food concessions as well as vending machines selling drinks and snacks. The selection is pretty limited, though, and prices are high. Bring bottles of water and healthy snacks. If you want to buy lunch, think about getting it at one of the fast food restaurants near the metro stations. There’s a McDonald’s near Woodley Park, a California Pizza Kitchen near Cleveland Park, etc. There isn’t that much near the Zoo entrance – just a Starbuck’s, a 7-11, and the “Zoo bar,” which is okay for adults but not a great place to take kids.
Try to time your visit to the National Zoo either in the morning or the afternoon. A lot of animals sleep in the middle of the day so there’s not much to see then. If mid-day is the only time you can go, take a look at the indoors exhibits (the small mammal house, Amazonia, and others) – the animals are usually active in the enclosed exhibits any time of day.
