National Zoo

Pros: Great variety of animals, mixture of indoor and outdoor exhibits, free
Cons: Tons of construction, grumpy employees, some dated cages

Few things make me happier than a day at the zoo. In fact, I planned my entire D.C. visit, including my hotel selection, around ensuring that I would be able to spend adequate time at the National Zoo. While the zoo has room for improvement, it ...

Pros: Great exhibits, Interesting Animals
Cons: Lack of water fountains, Hills, Tourists not eaten by Bears

I love animals a lot. They are absolutely delicious, and I've been warned by D.C. police that the Canada Geese on exhibit here are not allowed to be hunted, although the giant sized pigeons are a definite possibility. There are plenty of zoos in the D.C. ...

Pros: Excellent focus on nature and education, free admission
Cons: Parking is tight -- take Metro

What makes a great zoo? Lots of animals? A lush wooded setting? Natural looking habitats? Hands-on exhibits that teach kids about animals and the ecology? Affordable prices so everyone in the family can go? I think a great zoo does all these and...

Pros: It's FREE. Smithsonian research going on. Panda fun.
Cons: Hilly. Your feet will get tired.

This review is part of the Hard_to_Please Love Fest, organized by diverpam,
for our friend Mark (Hard_to_Please) ,recently diagnosed with advanced
cancer. All funds raised this write-off will be donated to Mark to help
defray some...

Pros: Free admission, easy to get to, very open.
Cons: Cost of parking; not enough bathrooms; no air conditioning in buildings.

Recently, my family took a trip to Washington, D.C., and before we left, we tried to plan out all of the places that we wanted to see. The National Zoo was high on our list, and we decided that after the four-hour drive, that would be a good ...

Pros: It's part of the Smithsonian and it's free.
Cons: Not many parking spaces; take the Metro.

I took the Red Line of the Metro and got off at the Woodley Park-Zoo station to visit the National Zoo on Sunday, June 24, 2001. If you haven't had breakfast, there is a McDonald's and other restaurants upon exiting the Metro. The zoo is a few minute...

Pros: Fascinating animals on exhibit, free admission, well-marked paths
Cons: Not scenic

I have many wonderful memories of visits to the National Zoo. When I was a child, my family lived in Richmond, Virginia, and every Saturday my father drove 100 miles each way to take my mother and me to the zoo.

Those are memories I will never...

Pros: good selection of animals; it's free, easy to get to by subway
Cons: lots of walking and a lot is uphill

If the animals at the zoo could talk they'd all say, "it isn't the heat, it's the humidity that gets to us!", and maybe that's why they aren't so active in the summer.

I love Zoos and taking my kids to them. Have I been to better...

Pros: So much to do, so little time...convenient and train-accessible
Cons: expensive concessions

Living in the DC area, it's very easy to forget how many stellar attractions are right here in our own back yard. While I don't get to the Smithsonian as often as I would like, or visit the National Gallery regularly, the National Zoo is one such...

Pros: Free admission, Giant Pandas
Cons: Zoo is too big for so few animals

On Labor Day, I visited the National Zoo in DC for a Biology Lab project. I enjoyed the experience since I have not been to the zoo in years. However, I found that I was getting exhausted just walking about the zoo! It takes awhile to get to each...

Pros: Free, Clean, Great Scenery
Cons: Lack of Animal Species

I love zoos. If it weren't for zoos the average modern American wouldn't be able to experience the wonderful diversity of animal life on this planet. Admittedly, the history of zoos is quite dark, with small cubicle like cages standing in for homes for...

Pros: Free admission, nice exhibits of a wide variety of animals
Cons: horrible parking, some of the cages were awful

My brother, sister-in-law, and son visited the National Zoo several years ago. There were exhibits that were absolutely fantastic and then there were exhibits with animals caged in abominable conditions.

The National Zoo seems to be very well...

Pros: Luxuriant landscaping, high-quality habitats and PANDAS!
Cons: Not enough restrooms or shade.

This is by far the loveliest zoo I've ever seen. The painstakingly-planned animal habitats are stunning in their detail and consideration for the animals. It truly deserves its name and is something of which every American can be proud. Getting to ...

Pros: Pandas, Orangs, It's FREE!, free ranging monkeys
Cons: a little hilly

I recently went to the National Zoo with a bus trip. I did not realize it was free until we got there and didn't need tickets to get in. This I thought was very nice. However, if it is your first time visiting, I would recommend buying a map. They...

Pros: Free. Features wonderful new pandas (Spring 2001)
Cons: Inadequate parking; some facilities need improvement; expensive concessions.

I live in the DC area, so have visited this zoo, run by the Smithsonian, several times. On the plus side, visitors can enjoy the view of two wonderful pandas (a tremendous attraction) after a short wait in line. Given the space limitations of a city...