Smithsonian National Zoological Park

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA

Address:	3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Phone:	+1 202-633-4888
Site:	nationalzoo.si.edu
Rating:	4.3
Working:	8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

CARMEN PEREZ

WORST!!! Dont waste time and money in this place ever!!!!! worst experience ever and WORST administration of the Zoo and in the Great Cats Shop (Strollers Rentals). My husband ID was given to another person or just lost it by Customer Service: Erica Carpenter the one that still doest know where she put it on because when we came to return the stroller we received the news of my husband ID is missing. I ask for a supervisor and they send a lady: Charlene; that does not know the protocol to follow in a situation where a zoo employee loses the ID of a client. At least the Officer Burke that came to take our complain was the ONLY person that cares about what happened. Also the supervisor let me know that this is not the first time that this happen!!!! Common....the administration of the zoo needs to learn from this and have a proper protocol to act fast and in organize manner because is not only the lost of an ID, someone else can stole my husband identity thanks to the poor attention that the employee have during her shift. Also, they dont give us a refund about our rental!!! They just let us know that after we make all the process we just have to call to the Director Guest Services Rafford Seymour to ask for a refund of the DMV charges for the new ID, that only Gods know is this is a real person from the zoo. Also the animal enclosures are empty and there were NO animals too see just old vegetation for enclosures that are not up to date. Its more that disappointed that we paid $22.00 for the parking, $25.00 in food that was not even warm and finally receive the wonderful news that we are going home with out my husband ID. Not even to recommend to anybody this place and Im not wasting money in a membership that doesnt works. Thank you for the great pain in my ass that you were today for us.

Paul E

Do yourself a favor and find another zoo! Approaching the zoo from 495 takes forever, then once you enter, finding a free parking spot is fun. One lot was poorly marked leading us to believe we could park in it but it was for staff only. Then after almost getting hit while turning around, we headed to the next logical lot, but we were told by the staff that all lots in that direction is full. We ended up at the last lot that is "full" to find several open spots, we paid ($22) then parked. While looking for a spot, police and EMS forced there way into the park causing us to pull over with no room to. They should have a back emergency entrance just for this! In the park, the layout is nice, the vegetation is nice, but the selection of animals that were actually on display was highly disappointing. I live in central PA and felt like I was visiting a zoo of animals in my back yard! The next complaint is with concession, why does a hotdog cost $10??? Food costs are WAY to high! Pack your foods if you go! The last compliant is with the police, for what ever reason, they feel they need to drive through the main walkway in full size SUVs with sirens on and drive WAY to fast! I swear I almost saw a few people get hit! Sure they need to respond to emergencies, but surely they could do so with smaller and less obnoxious vehicles. During our visit to the zoo, you heard and saw many police and EMS driving around. At one point we saw a fight break out between adults... isnt this a family and kids place??? It felt like we were in a bad part of town and might get hit with random bullets. I would suggest visiting a different zoo, like the one in Pittsburgh or Toledo. Very disappointing and in a way, unsafe.

Nathan Ridgway

The Star Rating is only on a Zoo or Aquarium with 5 Stars being the best zoo ever. Anyway, I live near Washington D.C. so this zoo is very familiar to me, I go there about every 2 or 3 months. I know how the zoo works. Firstly, the main exhibit I have problems as a guest with; the giant pandas, Im not like the person who said they were in a small concrete cage(thats there sleeping quarters, during the day they can chose to go in or out, you saw them when they were in.) Personally, I think there exhibit is to large and forested. Im all for large exhibits, but given the lines, that just took it too far. The nearby exhibit, Asia Trail has large exhibits the way I am used to seeing them throughout the zoo: rather narrow and long so guests can easily see the animals. The other two problems are the parking, and the food, the parking is slow, and easily filled up, so take my advice and enter through the street utterance if possible. The food, is, simply, bad, but its a zoo. If your on a trip to DC for more than 2 days, or just live near it, this zoo is a must see. (Exhibits are Asia Trail, Cheetah Conservation Center and Maned Wolf, Great Cats, American Trail, Amazonia, Elephant Trail/Outpost/ House/ Yard, Bird House, Reptile House, Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Think Tank, and Kids Farm, along with random animals along the main path, such a gibbons, zebras, ground horn-bill, bison, and wild horses. Be sure to go down the path around the Small Mammal House, and keep in mind the zoo is on a hill, rental wheelchairs and strollers are available.)

John & Heather Holmes

Yesterday, although rainy and a bit cold, our family had an amazing visit to the National Zoo. We are from Florida and frequent the Miami Zoo and Palm Beach Zoos, but when coming into town visiting the National Zoo was on our priority list. The weather is something no one can control, but the overall experience is something our family will not forget. First, I want to commend your Guest Services employee Larry. He sat at a little station on the corner near the Pandas. He stopped us and asked if we knew what we wanted to see - our daughter replied with "Everything!" and you could see the excitement on Larrys face. His enthusiasm for the zoo, his knowledge, and theatrical map is something you cannot train your employees, but rather something that is within them. Employees like Larry are a rare find. He is someone who loves his job and it shows. His knowledge of the zoo was right on point, from the "elephant tracks" to the "carousal on the right"... You need to give this man a microphone! We could not stop talking about Larry, and with each employee we came in contact with spoke as highly of him as we are right now. Lastly, we stopped in the Asia Trail shop on the way out to get a children a gift. We were in contact with Tierra, Tia, Aisis, and Camille - all very friendly and helpful. We want to especially mention Adam who let us stay a few extra minutes to look for the perfect gift as they were closing. We can walk around and look at animals, but when you have employee interaction and those employees truly love their jobs and posses the customer service gene it makes the trip extra special.