Smithsonian National Zoo
Washington, DC · Georgetown & Northwest
Spread across 163 wooded acres in Rock Creek Park, the National Zoo is the rare big-city zoo where admission is free and the headliners are giant pandas. Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived from China in late 2024 and now hold court along Asia Trail, a few steps from red pandas, sloth bears, and clouded leopards. Come for the pandas, then climb the hill to the Great Cats, the elephant barn, and the Amazonia rainforest dome; entry passes are free but required, so reserve a timed slot before you go.




