SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO
Located near Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Omni Shoreham Hotel is within walking distance of one of Washington, D.C.’s most-visited attractions. Open to the public 364 days a year, the zoo hosts 2,000 individual animals of 400 distinct species. Visitors can see animals, learn about wildlife and conservation and enjoy the gorgeous gardens. It also serves as a veterinary hospital and a research, conservation and education center for endangered species.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008., just a few blocks from our hotel.
You can visit the zoo for free.
If you feel like a guided tour is your speed, The Highlights Tour is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and starts at the Visitor Center lobby.
Tours are offered all year and are wheelchair accessible. They are guaranteed to be no larger than 10 people per group.
To schedule a tour or for questions, contact (202) 633-3056.
There is a fee for parking in zoo lots.
The L1 and L2 buses stop in front of the main entrance on Connecticut Avenue.
Since the zoo sits on a hillside in Rock Creek Park, we suggest you wear comfortable shoes.
You are welcome to bring a snack or lunch with you, so be sure and stop at Morsel's on the way out of our hotel and grab a snack to go.
Pandas have returned to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, delighting visitors once again with their playful antics. Founded in 1889, the zoo is a key part of conservation efforts, housing over 2,100 animals across 163 acres in Rock Creek Park. Their presence highlights the zoo's commitment to wildlife preservation and education.