The free Smithsonian zoo on a hill a few miles north of the National Mall, with social narratives to read ahead for 11 trails and animal houses (they also point out quiet areas), the zoo's own quieter seasons, and ZooLights on select evenings from Nov 20 2026 to Jan 3 2027.
Sensory supports. Social narratives for 11 trails, quieter seasons.
Hours
Open every day, rain or shine, except Dec 25. Winter (mid-September to mid-March): grounds 8 am to 4 pm, last entry 3 pm; indoor exhibit buildings 9 am to 4 pm, last indoor entry 3:30 pm. Summer (mid-March to mid-September): grounds 8 am to 6 pm, last entry 5 pm; indoor exhibit buildings 9 am to 6 pm, last indoor entry 5:30 pm. ZooLights (separate ticket) runs on select nights from Nov 20 2026 to Jan 3 2027, 5 to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 5 to 8 pm Sunday, last entry 30 minutes before close; check which nights are on sale when you buy tickets.
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC (car, bus and walk-in entrance; walk-in only at the Harvard Street Bridge)
“Social narratives are resource guides for individuals with cognitive disabilities and are useful as pre-visit guides to animal areas within the park.”
“In addition to showcasing animals in the collection, these guides also provide information on quiet areas, educational demonstrations, hands-on activities and artistic works.”
“Labor Day through Easter (excluding Thanksgiving through New Year’s) is typically a less busy, quieter time of the year to visit the Zoo.”
“Light, noise and crowds vary widely between animal exhibits.”
“Visitors sensitive to sound may encounter loud or unexpected noises in areas of the Zoo where work is underway.”
“The Smithsonian does not offer sensory bags at any of its museums, however visitors are welcome to bring their own equipment or materials.” si.edu
There are 11 social narratives in English (Giant Pandas, Amazonia, American Trail, Asia Trail, Elephant Trails, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Small Mammal House, Gibbon Ridge, Lemur Island and Think Tank) and 6 in Spanish. The zoo notes they may not show which buildings and areas are open right now, so check the zoo's exhibit updates the same week. The zoo also lists a ZooLights social narrative and a ZooLights sensory-friendly tip sheet, both from 2025.
The Smithsonian doesn't offer sensory bags, so pack your own headphones and fidgets. If waiting or standing in a long entry line is hard for your kid, the Smithsonian asks you to contact the zoo's visitor services office ahead to talk about options: Visitor Services, 202-633-2614.
For an accommodation that needs advance arrangements, use the zoo's Accessibility Request Form, at least two weeks before your visit when possible. The zoo will make every effort with shorter notice, but sending the form does not guarantee a specific service.
For help on the day, ask at the Visitor Center or the Information Station near Lion/Tiger Hill.
Social narratives to read ahead for 11 trails and animal houses, with notes on quiet areas; the Smithsonian doesn't offer sensory bags, so bring your own headphones.
Free, but everyone needs a free Entry Pass; open every day except Dec 25, last entry one hour before closing.
Typically quieter from Labor Day to Easter, except Thanksgiving through New Year's; light, noise and crowds vary widely between exhibits.
Areas where construction work is underway (visitors sensitive to sound may hear loud or unexpected noises there)not stated
Restrooms (all restrooms at the zoo have automatic flushing)not stated
Quieter, in the zoo's words
The quiet areas the zoo's social narratives point outquiet zone
Benches throughout the zoo, indoors and outdoorsquiet zone
Entry Passes: free and required for every visitor of every age. They open on a rolling basis 30 days ahead, with a small number released a week before, the day before and the day of; a limited number of walk-up passes are available each day at the pedestrian entrances. With a pass you can arrive any time on your day; last entry is one hour before closing. Children under 18 must be with an adult chaperone, at least one adult for up to ten children. Groups of 16 or more need a group reservation.
Leaving and coming back: get your hand stamped at the Visitor Center near the main Connecticut Avenue entrance or at the Harvard Street pedestrian entry tent, and come back in before last entry.
Parking: a Parking Pass is $30 per vehicle bought at least a day ahead, or $40 on the day; no cash. Passes are nonrefundable and can be exchanged online, but not within 48 hours of your date, subject to availability. Lots often sell out on busy days such as weekends and holidays, and drivers without a pass may be turned away. Each lot has wheelchair-accessible spaces, first come, first served. Vehicles must fit a standard space; for a large vehicle or van, call Visitor Services at 202-633-2614. Daytime and member parking passes aren't valid for ZooLights.
Metro and bus: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park stations are each about a half mile away and accessible. There is a moderate uphill walk from Woodley Park-Zoo; for mobility needs the zoo recommends Cleveland Park. The D70 bus (formerly the L2) stops right in front of the main entrance. Ride share pick-ups and drop-offs go to the main entrance.
Rules: bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks (glass is discouraged; no alcohol), but no eating, drinking or gum inside buildings, except at approved events. No balloons, pets (service dogs are welcome; emotional support, therapy and comfort dogs are not service dogs), loud music (headphones are encouraged), laser pointers, weapons or toy weapons, grills, tripods, selfie sticks or drones. Scooters, bikes, skateboards and wheelie shoes can't be ridden in the zoo. Don't cross barriers or hold children over them. The gates may close during open hours because of crowding or an emergency.
Strollers and rentals: on busy days strollers may not be allowed inside animal buildings, and stroller parking is usually by each building's main entrance. Rentals at the Visitor Center and the Information Station near Lion/Tiger Hill: manual wheelchair free, scooter $40, stroller $15, wagon $17 (members 15% off), with a U.S. or foreign photo ID or driver's license (passports not accepted); operators must be 18 or older, and cash isn't accepted for stroller and scooter rentals. There are no lockers or bag check. The guest shuttle isn't running right now.
Restrooms are at the Visitor Center, Panda Plaza, Elephant Outpost and Conservation Pavilion; family restrooms at the Visitor Center, Elephant Outpost and Conservation Pavilion; changing stations in all of them. A lift in the Visitor Center lobby reaches its restrooms and water fountains. A private lactation room is inside Think Tank (open it with the free Mamava app). Water bottle refill stations are throughout the zoo.
Closed or changing for construction: Africa Trail (reopening summer 2027); the Elephant Outpost viewing area on weekdays from late November, fully reopening in spring 2027; the Bird House's Great Flight Aviary; the outdoor Komodo dragon and Chinese alligator habitats at Reptile Discovery Center, scheduled to close for good on Nov 16 2026; the Beaver, River Otter and Bald Eagle habitat on American Trail, scheduled for renovation (reopening 2028); and the new Arabian Leopard habitat near Africa Trail, under construction (due 2029). Some walkways and buildings may also be affected on the day of your visit. Check signs or ask at the Visitor Center for the day's changes.
ZooLights, on select nights from Nov 20 2026 to Jan 3 2027 (separate ticket): general admission $10, children 3 and older need a ticket, 2 and under free; the winter maze, mini-train and carousel are $6 each (carousel weather permitting) and festive glasses $3, or $1 with an attraction. Tickets are nonrefundable; exchanges up to 48 hours before, subject to availability. Indoor animal houses are closed on most nights. Tickets and parking tend to sell out, so buy early, and plan for your whole group to enter together. Member Nights (Dec 8 and 9 2026) are for members; Wed Dec 16 2026 is an adults-only (21 and up) night. ZooLights parking is $30 ahead, $40 on the day.
In 2025, ZooLights was most crowded on weekends, in the days before Christmas and in the week between Christmas and New Year's, and less crowded earlier in the season. This year's hours and prices differ from 2025, so for this year's details call Visitor Services at 202-633-2614.
