The National Zoo is open every day of the year except December 25. ADMISSION IS FREE!
| Hours* | |||
| Grounds | |
Buildings** | |
| Apr 1 | Open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
|
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| May | |||
| Jun | |||
| Jul | |||
| Aug | |||
| Sep | |||
| Oct | |||
| Nov | Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
|
Open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec | |||
| Jan | |||
| Feb | |||
| Mar 31 | |||
*Early Closings and Late Opening
Please note: Occasionally, the Zoo closes early for very special events. Once a year, the Zoo opens late. Details will be posted below.
August 21, 2008: Part of the Zoo will close early for Brew at the Zoo. The stretch of Olmsted Walk from the Police Station to the Crossroads, an area that includes the Mane Restaurant and Kids’ Farm, will close at 2 p.m.
October 24-26, 2008: The Zoo will close early for Boo at the Zoo.
December 2008: The Zoo will close early on some December days for ZooLights.
May 2009: The Zoo will close early for Guppy Gala and ZooFari.
** The last admission to buildings is 15 minutes before closing time.
We hope you see every animal at the Zoo each time you visit, however, animals are not on view every minute. Especially during the summer, animals may be resting in shady spots outside or staying cool inside their shelters. Animals at the Zoo and in the wild—and most of us—do what they can to be comfortable when the weather gets hot.
Please note: If you are interested in visiting a specific animal exhibit, please check the animal program (menu at left) for exhibit-specific information. We are renovating some exhibits, which may be closed temporarily when you visit. Details, when available, are posted on exhibit-specific pages. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NOTE: In the spring, many school buses full of children arrive at the Zoo between 10 a.m. and noon. For a more enjoyable, quieter experience, we recommend that you visit later in the afternoon, after 2 p.m. The animals are generally less active in the middle of the day. For tour bus groups, we offer special programs early and late in the day. See Group Packages.
