Washington DC Zoo on Saturday

[Anonymous]

We want to take DD on her first trip to the zoo Saturday and I was wondering how horrible the parking would be at 9am? We would get there early and just walk around until the exhibitions opened. So if we get there at 9am will we find parking at the zoo?

Also, can you see any animals before 10am?

Thanks...I haven't been in 20 years

[Anonymous]

you can definitely find parking at 9am-- won't be any problem. We usually get there about 9:45 and can park anywhere. You can see all the outdoor animals- just not any indoor animals.
I'm not sure how old your DD is- but our zoo tip is to park at the bottom near the Kids Farm, and work up. That way when you get tired you just turn around and walk downhill.

[Anonymous]

The zoo opens at 6 am. I was there at 8 am this past Saturday and saw lots of animals but the concessions do not open until 10.

[Anonymous]

I hate going to the zoo on a nice weekend as GAZILLIONS of people also have the same idea. Better to go on a Wednesday . . .

[Anonymous]

Op here. Oh that's awesome you can see the outside animals! That's all we really care about. My DD is 18 months and gets up at the god awful hour of 5:30am so now we can go earlier!

Thanks for the info!

Any other tips, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you can definitely find parking at 9am-- won't be any problem. We usually get there about 9:45 and can park anywhere. You can see all the outdoor animals- just not any indoor animals.
I'm not sure how old your DD is- but our zoo tip is to park at the bottom near the Kids Farm, and work up. That way when you get tired you just turn around and walk downhill.

This is great info! Thanks! I did not know they had a kid farm...can you pet any animals or is it just to see some?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you can definitely find parking at 9am-- won't be any problem. We usually get there about 9:45 and can park anywhere. You can see all the outdoor animals- just not any indoor animals.
I'm not sure how old your DD is- but our zoo tip is to park at the bottom near the Kids Farm, and work up. That way when you get tired you just turn around and walk downhill.

This is great info! Thanks! I did not know they had a kid farm...can you pet any animals or is it just to see some?

You can pet some-- there are little goats? that you can line up and go in and groom.
I like the zoo at 18 months. If you get there at 9am, I would start at Lion/Tiger hill. Then walk up the main path towards the monkeys/ apes, etc. If you want to hit everything I would go all the way up to the gazelle's, zebra's. (They are at the very top of the zoo.)
Then start walking down.
My kids particularly liked the small mammal house at that age b/c they could get right next to the glass and see things- they actuallly had more trouble with some of the larger animals that were further away.
The bird house and outdoor area is also a big hit with my kids, and tends to be substantially less crowded (it's off the beaten path.)
I generally find the zoo food to be extremely expensive and not very good, and will try and pack a picnic. That being said, the zoo offerings have improved in recent years. There is a cart near the Panda's that sells pretty good tacos and a popcorn cart right next to it.
the zoo has a free app that lists various different events and feeding times.
I like the seal show- but there is no shade and when my kids were really little they didn't get a lot out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you can definitely find parking at 9am-- won't be any problem. We usually get there about 9:45 and can park anywhere. You can see all the outdoor animals- just not any indoor animals.
I'm not sure how old your DD is- but our zoo tip is to park at the bottom near the Kids Farm, and work up. That way when you get tired you just turn around and walk downhill.

This is great info! Thanks! I did not know they had a kid farm...can you pet any animals or is it just to see some?

You can pet some-- there are little goats? that you can line up and go in and groom.
I like the zoo at 18 months. If you get there at 9am, I would start at Lion/Tiger hill. Then walk up the main path towards the monkeys/ apes, etc. If you want to hit everything I would go all the way up to the gazelle's, zebra's. (They are at the very top of the zoo.)
Then start walking down.
My kids particularly liked the small mammal house at that age b/c they could get right next to the glass and see things- they actuallly had more trouble with some of the larger animals that were further away.
The bird house and outdoor area is also a big hit with my kids, and tends to be substantially less crowded (it's off the beaten path.)
I generally find the zoo food to be extremely expensive and not very good, and will try and pack a picnic. That being said, the zoo offerings have improved in recent years. There is a cart near the Panda's that sells pretty good tacos and a popcorn cart right next to it.
the zoo has a free app that lists various different events and feeding times.
I like the seal show- but there is no shade and when my kids were really little they didn't get a lot out of it.

You are awesome! I am printing out your information to take! My DD has food allergies so I have to pack all her food anyways I am really excited to go now...thanks a ton!

[Anonymous]

I don't think you will have parking problems.

I don't seem to see any animals any time I go there. By far the most overrated zoo from a visitor perspective, in my opinion. (It may well be a great research institution and/or more humane for animals; but man is it less exciting to visit).

[Anonymous]

No problem with parking at 9

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you can definitely find parking at 9am-- won't be any problem. We usually get there about 9:45 and can park anywhere. You can see all the outdoor animals- just not any indoor animals.
I'm not sure how old your DD is- but our zoo tip is to park at the bottom near the Kids Farm, and work up. That way when you get tired you just turn around and walk downhill.

This is great info! Thanks! I did not know they had a kid farm...can you pet any animals or is it just to see some?

You can pet some-- there are little goats? that you can line up and go in and groom.
I like the zoo at 18 months. If you get there at 9am, I would start at Lion/Tiger hill. Then walk up the main path towards the monkeys/ apes, etc. If you want to hit everything I would go all the way up to the gazelle's, zebra's. (They are at the very top of the zoo.)
Then start walking down.
My kids particularly liked the small mammal house at that age b/c they could get right next to the glass and see things- they actuallly had more trouble with some of the larger animals that were further away.
The bird house and outdoor area is also a big hit with my kids, and tends to be substantially less crowded (it's off the beaten path.)
I generally find the zoo food to be extremely expensive and not very good, and will try and pack a picnic. That being said, the zoo offerings have improved in recent years. There is a cart near the Panda's that sells pretty good tacos and a popcorn cart right next to it.
the zoo has a free app that lists various different events and feeding times.
I like the seal show- but there is no shade and when my kids were really little they didn't get a lot out of it.

There isn't exactly a seal show. You can hang out and watch the seals play and fight with each other, but no show. I don't think there are any shows at the National Zoo.

[Anonymous]

PP with all the info- (OP Here)- if I want to Park in lot D by the kids farm is there a separate entrance to that lot or do you enter the zoo in one place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP with all the info- (OP Here)- if I want to Park in lot D by the kids farm is there a separate entrance to that lot or do you enter the zoo in one place?

You enter in the same spot for all the parking lots and drive to the lot you want.

[Anonymous]

+1 to everything so far! We went last Sunday and had no trouble parking in lot D at 9:45. For a weekend day, it wasn't nearly as crowded as I expected. It was really warm out, so we headed straight to the top of the hill and saw the pandas, then slowly worked our way back down. We pack food for our little one with allergies as well and made it to an indoor (air conditioned) grill just past the tigers around noon. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I agree parking at 9 will be fine. It will only get more crowded and hot as the day goes on. I recommend parking in lot B as it is more in the middle ish.... or if you plan to do the whole zoo, park in D and walk up, then meander down.

Best outdoor exhibits - around the bird house, the American Trail (seals and sea lions, otters,) the Asia Trail. Certainly there is plenty to check out before the buildings open at 10.