Just 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown D.C. is an enchanting world of lush landscapes, scenic vistas, and exotic animals. Here, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute located in beautiful Rock Creek Park, visitors can explore 160 acres of preserved habitat from ecosystems across the globe, getting up close and personal with more than 300 species of animals from around the world. Nearly one-fifth of the species on display are endangered in the wild, and the zoo’s conservation efforts and breeding programs are among the best – and oldest – in the world. Free to the public, the zoo boasts an incredible collection of animals including the famed giant pandas as well as big cats, great apes, amphibians and reptiles, and mammals big (Asian elephants) and small (Northern tree shrew).
A Walk in the Rock Creek Park
Structured with a series of immersive animal habitats, the zoo was one of the first to do away with singular animal enclosures. Instead, animals are free to roam in larger, mixed habitats. The Asia Trail is a series of natural habitats for Asian species like the red pandas, cloud leopards, and sloth bears. The Elephant Trails exhibit is home to seven Asian elephants, the largest members of the zoo community, while Lemur Island is a moated fortress of playfully marauding prosimians (think monkey “cousins”) including ring-tailed, red-fronted, and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Other themed walks include the Mammal House, the American Trail (home to iconic American species like wolves and bald eagles), the Great Ape House, and Great Cat Hill. With more than 1,800 animals comprising 300+ species, there is something to see for every animal lover.
Smithsonian's National Zoo And Conservation Biology Institute
As one of the nation’s oldest zoos, the Smithsonian's National Zoo And Conservation Biology Institute a leader in animal care, research, animal husbandry, and conservation. A satellite facility, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, dedicates its 3,200 acres of conservation land (with thousands of species of plants and animals) to the education of wildlife professionals and the propagation of rare species through assisted breeding programs. The National Zoo was also one of the first to implement animal research programs, adopt public education programs, and restructure the classic “zoo experience” to a more accurate reflection of animal habitats and interactions. The result is a successful breeding program for endangered species like golden lion tamarins, Sumatran tigers, sarus cranes, and others, as well as more than 2 million ecstatic guests every year.
Visiting the zoo is easy, with free admission 364 days a year 8am to 7pm (it is closed on Christmas). Both the DC Metro and Metrobus have stops conveniently located near the zoo entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW. For your next trip to Washington DC, book one of the most gorgeous vacation rentals in Washington DC near Smithsonian area!