The pandas are back — and the zoo is still free
For the first time in years, giant pandas are back on public view in Washington — and this is the only place in the United States where you can see them for free. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Woodley Park is one of DC’s best half-day outings: 163 acres, more than 2,000 animals, and zero admission charge.
There’s one catch every visitor needs to know: free timed-entry passes are required, reserved online before you go. This guide covers passes, hours, the pandas, the must-see exhibits, and how to get there by Metro.
Tickets: free, but reserve a timed-entry pass
Admission to the National Zoo is free, like every Smithsonian museum. But unlike most of them, every visitor needs a free timed-entry pass — including infants — reserved in advance on the zoo’s website at nationalzoo.si.edu. Passes can sell out on weekends, holidays, and spring weeks, so book a week or two ahead when you can.
Members of the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) can enter without passes by showing their membership card. Same-day availability isn’t guaranteed, so don’t count on walking up.
Hours: seasonal, and buildings close earlier
- March 15 – September 14: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- September 15 – March 14: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Closed: December 25 (open the other 364 days of the year).
Two things to know: the outdoor grounds open earlier and stay open later than the indoor buildings, and entry typically cuts off an hour before closing. If there’s one animal you can’t miss, check the zoo’s website the morning of your visit — exhibit hours shift with weather and animal care needs.
Getting there: take the Metro
The zoo sits at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW in the Woodley Park neighborhood. The honest advice: take the Metro. Parking is limited, costs $30, and must be reserved online in advance.
Take the Red Line to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan — it’s a short but uphill walk to the Connecticut Avenue entrance (you’ll know it by the two lion statues flanking the gate). Cleveland Park, also on the Red Line, is a slightly longer but flatter walk. Several Metrobus routes stop right in front of the entrance.
Inside, expect hills — the zoo is built into Rock Creek Park terrain. Wear good walking shoes, bring water, and plan on 2–3 hours to see it well. Paths are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, with rentals available on-site.
The giant pandas: Bao Li and Qing Bao
The stars of the zoo are Bao Li (a male) and Qing Bao (a female), who moved into the Asia Trail habitat and have been on public view since January 2025. No extra ticket is needed — panda access is included with your timed-entry pass.
Go in the morning. Pandas are most active early in the day, especially in cooler weather, and the habitat draws the biggest crowds by midday. If the pandas are napping when you arrive, loop back later — they wake up for bamboo on their own schedule.
Must-see exhibits beyond the pandas
Elephant Trails
The zoo’s Asian elephant herd lives along a quarter-mile trek designed to mimic natural terrain, with bathing pools where the elephants cool off. It’s one of the strongest elephant habitats in any American zoo — don’t skip it.
Bird House
Reopened after a six-year, $69 million renovation, the Bird House is now a multi-sensory experience with three walk-through aviaries — home to 170 birds representing 72 species — tracing the migratory journeys of songbirds and waterfowl. Visitors consistently call it the most stunning indoor exhibit at the zoo.
Great Cats
Lions and tigers, with exhibits built around how these predators hunt — roars, speed, teeth, and claws. A reliable crowd-pleaser for kids.
Great Ape House and the O-Line
Gorillas and orangutans — and look up: the orangutans travel overhead on the O-Line cables strung between towers. It’s one of those only-at-this-zoo moments.
Amazonia
A lush indoor rainforest under a giant dome — a perfect escape on a rainy or sweltering day. The field-station tank holds an electric eel; the stingray pool is surrounded by wattled jacanas.
Small Mammal House & Reptile Discovery Center
Two classic indoor houses for the extremes of weather — small mammals from around the world in one, turtles, snakes, and lizards in the other.
American Trail
Beavers, river otters, bald eagles, and seals along a trail celebrating North American wildlife. Check the zoo’s site for any temporary exhibit closures before you go.
New in 2026: five new residents
The zoo announced five new animals this year: a pair of wattled jacanas and an electric eel named Ameelia in Amazonia, a rescued Forster’s tern nicknamed Forrest in the Bird House’s shorebird aviary, four female Chacoan peccaries (Zsa Zsa Gaboar, Mia Hamm, Mariska Hogitay, and Hamela Anderson) near Lemur Island, and a sloth named Olive in the Small Mammal House. Keep an eye out — new arrivals are often the most active animals in their habitats.
Tips for a great zoo day
- Arrive at opening. Animals are most active in the cool of the morning, the light is best for photos, and you’ll beat the school groups.
- See pandas first, then loop. Head straight to Asia Trail, then work downhill through Elephant Trails and the Bird House.
- Eat before or bring snacks. Food options inside are limited and pricey — fuel up in Woodley Park or Cleveland Park instead.
- Combine it with the neighborhood. The zoo pairs perfectly with an afternoon in Adams Morgan or a walk through Rock Creek Park.
- ZooLights in December. The zoo’s holiday light display is a beloved DC tradition — it’s a separate ticketed evening event, so check dates early.
National Zoo FAQs
Is the Smithsonian National Zoo free?
Yes — admission is free, like all Smithsonian museums. But every visitor, including infants, needs a free timed-entry pass reserved online in advance. Parking costs $30 and must also be reserved ahead.
Do I need tickets for the National Zoo?
You need free timed-entry passes, booked on the zoo’s website (nationalzoo.si.edu) before your visit. They can sell out on weekends and holidays, so reserve a week or two ahead. FONZ members don’t need passes.
When is the best time to see the giant pandas?
Morning, as early as you can get there. Bao Li and Qing Bao are most active early in the day, especially in cooler weather, and crowds at the Asia Trail habitat build by midday. No extra ticket is required beyond your entry pass.
How do I get to the National Zoo by Metro?
Take the Red Line to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan — it’s a short uphill walk to the Connecticut Avenue entrance. Cleveland Park (also Red Line) is a slightly longer, flatter walk. Driving is possible but parking is $30, limited, and must be reserved online.
Photos: giant panda at the National Zoo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0, Ron Cogswell); Asian elephant at the National Zoo via Wikimedia Commons (public domain, Robbie Clark / Smithsonian’s National Zoo).
_November_2017.jpg){kind=link}
