Explore the Free-to-Enter National Zoo

The National Zoo is right for you

It’s not all elephants and donkeys in DC. At the National Zoo, visitors can find all sorts of animals that don’t subscribe to party lines. Lions, tigers, giraffes and the zoo’s beloved giant pandas are just some of the 2,000 animals that call the 163-acre park home. The zoo’s habitats feature animals from 400 different species and about 25 percent of the zoo’s residents are endangered. All of the animals at the National Zoo – which is also a global research center and conservation center – are cared for by world-class zoologists and veterinarians.

The National Zoo is located in DC’s residential Woodley Park neighborhood and, like all Smithsonian museums, admission is free. The main entrance (you’ll know it by the two Instagram-friendly lion statues flanking the gate) is on Connecticut Avenue. The zoo is just a short walk from both the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stops on the Red Line and the L1 and L2 buses drop off right in front of the entrance. The National Zoo is open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (until 4 p.m. in the winter months) seven days a week. Be prepared to do lots of walking! The National Zoo, which is handicapped and stroller accessible, is a large park with 18 distinct areas to explore.

A world of knowledge awaits you at DC's Smithsonian museums!

Check them out this summer.

Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo.

Explore and learn about everything from the origins of man and the future of flight to the history of art across multiple continents with nearly 140 million objects, works of art and specimens to discover. The Smithsonian’s collection of knowledge centers serve as a treasure chest for visitors and a guide to the most fascinating aspects of our world. And the best part: You won’t have to pay a penny to experience it as admission is free at every location.

https://washington.org/smithsonian-institution-museums

The White House

Want to visit the most famous house in America on your next trip to the District? 

Here's what you need to know!

About the White House
Perhaps the most famous residence in the United States, and certainly the most well-known address, the White House is the epicenter of political life in Washington, DC. The more-than-100-year-old home has hosted world leaders, state dinners,...Read More

How to tour
The White House is a must-see for any visitor to the nation’s capital. Tours take visitors through the East Wing, which includes much of the home’s entertaining space. You’ll see, among other rooms, the State Dining Room; the Red, Blue and Green...Read More


 


What to see nearby
The White House is centrally located near a number of major attractions. Since it’s within walking distance of the National Mall, before or after your tour is a great time to see the Washington Monument and other memorials. You’re also near some...Read More

Unique Washington DC Sightseeing Experiences

1) Tour the Monuments by Moonlight
At nighttime, DC lights up and the capital city’s monuments look stunning. For a new sightseeing perspective, take a DC Monuments Tour to see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Jr. Memorial, FDR Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial fully illuminated. You’ll be amazed by the beautiful lighting and iconic memorials on the tour, and you might even hear about some of the ghostly spirits who haunt the nation’s capital. Along the way, the tranquil evening breeze will cool you down after a long day of visiting DC’s attractions.

2) Visit the National Museum of Crime and Punishment
First opened in 2008, the National Museum of Crime and Punishment is full of interesting and interactive exhibits. From a crime lab to the filming studios for America’s Most Wanted, this 25,000 square foot museum is packed with artifacts and history about crime and punishment in the United States. Since the FBI Headquarters are currently not open for tours, check out the simulated FBI shooting range inside the museum. Serial killer Ted Bundy’s VW bug is also on display in the museum’s lobby, so don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind museum experience during your time in DC.

3) Learn About Literature at the Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library is a favorite of visitors, students, families, teachers and scholars alike. A vast collection of Shakespeare’s works are available to study and enjoy, including a display of a First Folio, the only source for eighteen of his plays including Macbeth and Julius Caesar. For children, there are Shakespeare-centric games, puzzles, coloring pages and student resources. The Folger Shakespeare Library is also home to an intimate indoor stage called the Elizabethan Theatre, where visitors can watch plays, concerts and other events in an authentic environment from Shakespeare’s time.

4) Get Spooked at The Octagon House
The Octagon House was designed by the first architect of the United States Capitol, William Thornton, and was one of the first buildings to incorporate circles, rectangles, and triangles in its architecture. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the House is the former home of the American Institute of Architects. The Octagon House is also known as the most haunted home in DC, with many spirits said to reside within its walls including Dolly Madison, two of the builder’s daughters and British soldiers. When you visit the Octagon House, you’ll see visionary architecture and possibly a ghostly presence or two!

5) Take a Day Trip to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
If you plan on spending more time in DC, take a day excursion to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Traveling to the Center takes roughly 45 minutes from the DC area, so make sure to leave time in your itinerary for travel purposes. The Center is an extension of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and home to an expansive collection of aircraft and spacecraft. Special exhibits include the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. Another crown jewel is the SR-71 Blackbird, a spy plane from the Cold War era. There are many extraordinary sights here that can only be explored at the Center, making this hidden gem a must-see.