There were more than just trashy animals at the National Zoo.

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Of course the main draws are the real animals.

The National Zoo is famous for their pandas.

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It was hot.   They were sleeping inside.

It was so hot that touching this statue was a bad idea.

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It was so hot at the #zoo today that the donkeys were melting. #donkey

A photo posted by @dvmheather on

We followed the panda’s advice and spent a lot of time inside.  We really liked the huge aviary.

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Everyone was having a nap.

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Or staying inside in the air conditioning

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Outside was nice though if you found a cool shady spot to sit.

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My best advice for visiting the National Zoo

  • Take the Metro from Washington D.C. to the Cleveland Park stop on the red line which is one stop past the stop labelled Zoo.  If you get off at the zoo spot it is a long walk uphill to the zoo.  If you get off at Cleveland Park it is slightly downhill.
  • The food available isn’t very vegan friendly on the menu but the paninis seem to be made on site so you could ask for them to be made without cheese.  They weren’t very appetizing looking though.  I just had a pretzel.
  • The zoo is large and is on a hill so be prepared to hike.  To go from the back of the zoo to the exit is an uphill climb.  Maybe head to the back of the zoo first and gradually make your way to the front while seeing the animals so you gradually work your way back up the hill.