The zoo is an incredible experience for kids, adults, adults who act like kids (me), everyone loves the zoo!
Not only is it free, but you are basically transported to like 15 million different countries with all the animals you get to see. My favorites include: the pandas (and there's a new baby panda that I just want to give the biggest panda bear hug to), the elephants, the ape house (they are probably the funniest), I might as well list them all, the whole zoo is fantastic!
What I recently discovered is that they also serve beer there. It's a hidden secret (kind of, as it's right there in the "food court" area) and it just adds to the level of zoo fun you can have, not that you need it. Have I mentioned the zoo is phenomenal?
Okay so really though, the exhibits are far apart, wear comfy shoes. I wore wedges the last time and I looked cute but my feet were not my BFFs. The best place to start is the panda house, it has indoor/outdoor viewing areas. You will walk by the zebras and some cats, but don't worry you get to see those at the end. Now once at the pandas, be patient, it's the most popular exhibit and there is always a crowd. It's worth it, they are adorable. Once done viewing their adorableness, proceed down the Asian trail. You will be right at Panda Plaza, AKA, the food court, AKA, get yourself a snack, maybe a beer (seriously though, it's a long walk, you will need sustenance).
Next up, the elephants! Again, indoor/outdoor viewing area. The best is when they play with giant yoga balls. The elephants are usually pretty active, unlike those lazy pandas. Great Instagram moments happen in this area! After you are finished soaking in the awesomeness that is the elephants you will make your way to the small mammal house. In this indoor area you will see more animals whose names you cannot pronounce than ever before in your life. They are pretty awesome though, and most are super cute. They have little monkey like creatures that you just may want to adopt. Once you figure out that, no, this is not the SPCA and indeed these are wild animals that would eat your face off if you weren't separated by glass, head to the ape house.
The ape house has all the big guys. HUGE GORILLAS! They like to put on a show so plan to stand and watch for a bit. They have swings, eat bananas, all sorts of hilarious activities. This would be another great Instagram moment, this time video it and catch these apes at play! After the apes, you will probably be exhausted from all the laughter and will need to choose which exhibits you really want to see from here. From the ape house there are several options: invertebrates for those of us that like the slithering creatures (it's cool I promise!), there is also the great cats, which are awesome but if you are getting tired, don't forget you can see a few on the way out, there's also a kids farm way down there (I've never been, too far for my shoes), you've also got the prairie dogs, lemurs, seals, and one I didn't mention because I am terrified of birds, the bird house. It's actually near the pandas, but I just can't go near there, I like to pretend it doesn't exist.
So now you are exhausted and have to hike back up that hill. This is where you will thank me for the comfortable shoe suggestion. Once at the top of the hill, stop by and see the pretty zebras on your way out. Around the corner from that you can see some big cats. Once done call an Uber. You won't want to wait around for a cab or walk down that hill to the metro again.
Like I said this is my favorite tourist destination. And it's free, so what could be better. And don't forget to enjoy a brew at the zoo.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm
