If you’ve spent the last year of quarantine watching the animal cams from the Smithsonian in your apartment, you’re in luck! The Smithsonian National Zoo is one of the many museums and parks now open to the public again, so it’s time to start planning a visit to meet your favorite animals in person. All you have to do is log on to their website and grab a free timed-entry pass so they can monitor crowd control throughout the season as we get back to normal.
If you’ve never been to the zoo, you’re in for a real treat. This expansive zoo situated right outside the downtown area spans over 160 acres and is home to 2,700 animals from all across the globe. They put great focus on education and conservation, so you’ll meet many nearly extinct and endangered creatures who the team of scientists there is trying to save and revive. They have large animals like giant pandas, African lions, Asian elephants, western lowland gorillas, crocs and alligators, and more. But you’ll also find little guys like lizards, meerkats, titi monkeys, and more.