Yesterday I took the boys to the National Zoo in Washington, DC. For those interested in going, here are my thoughts re COVID. You do have to reserve your spot online. For drivers, you wouldn’t have to specify your time, but you do have to enter via the Connecticut Road entrance.
Social Distancing & Safety
They are limiting the number of people in so book at least a day in advance. There were lots of one-way walking paths to keep navigation safe. A handful of the walkways and enclosures were closed, likely for lack of spacing. That didn’t cause any real issues for us. Check out their safety policy here.
Mask Policy
All patrons over age six are required to wear a mask. Masks are recommended for two to six-year-old kids. My boys only wore theirs inside.
Despite all of the changes made throughout the zoo, it was a great time. We saw plenty of animals, and we had a great day out. Highlights were the Elephants, Leopard, Lions and Tiger, and the Gorillas.
Pro Tip
After driving in, turn right and drive to the bottom and park in Lot D. This will ensure you park at the lowest elevation. Once you enter, walk up the hill (back toward Connecticut Avenue) to start. This allows you to explore the zoo downhill and not have to do tough hiking at the end of the day. It’s downhill all the way back to the car.
Overall
Rating for our day 9/10. Felt super safe and the closures were not too impactful except for the pandas.
