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Smithsonian National Zoo

Photo: O01326 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

🎡 Attractions

Smithsonian National Zoo

Washington, DC · Georgetown & Northwest

About

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.

Highlights

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao on Asia TrailFree admission (timed entry passes required)Asia Trail: red pandas, sloth bears, clouded leopardsGreat Cats, elephants, and the Amazonia rainforest dome

Getting there

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Washington D.C. Attractions23 places

Washington D.C. Attractions

No city packs more world-class attractions into a walk than Washington, and most of it is free. The Smithsonians line the National Mall like a museum mile, from the moon lander hanging in Air and Space to the Hope Diamond and the Wright Flyer. Between them stand the monuments and memorials: Lincoln gazing down the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument over the Tidal Basin cherry trees, the marble halls of the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Bring good shoes and a full day, and you still will not see it all.