National Zoo

Located in the middle of Cleveland Park, the National Zoo is a beautiful urban park offering family fun and excitement, kid-friendly educational programs, parties, summer camps, school break camps, and a great venue to introduce your little ones to some of God's creatures. Take in the 163 acres that are nestled in Rock Creek Park. The zoo is home to 2,000 individual animals, including a Kids' Farm where children can touch and interact with farm animals and learn where food comes from.   New at the zoo: go for a ride around Great Cats Circle on a trackless train ($3).  And scheduled to open in 2012: a restored antique carousel!

Special annual events include African-American Family Day (spring), Boo at the Zoo (October), and Grapes with the Apes (fall).  During the winter, don't miss the beautiful Zoolights exhibtition and the "iceless" skating rink at the Zoo's Picnic Pavilion on the world's best eco-friendly synthetic ice skating surface.