goSmithsonian - June 2008 - (Page 60)

N AT I O N A L Z O O L O G I C A L PA R K National Zoological Park The National Zoo—home to more than 2,000 animals including giant pandas, Asian elephants, Komodo dragons and wattled cranes— is an international leader in wildlife conservation and education. A 163-acre urban oasis, the Zoo is located in Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. HIGHLIGHTS Tai Shan, a giant panda, is a must-see. THE BASICS PHONE: April 1 to Oct. 31: Grounds are open 6 to 8. Buildings are open 10 to 6. Nov. 1 to March 31: Grounds are open 6 to 6. Buildings are open 10 to 4:30. The Zoo is closed December 25. Admission is free! ADDRESS: 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW PHONE: General Information: 202.633.4800 FONZ Membership: 202.633.3034 WEB: www.nationalzoo.si.edu METRO: The playful giant panda, Tai Shan, and his parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, are a delight to watch in their Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat, designed to mimic the animals’ native rocky, lush terrain in China. “Asia Trail” begins at the Connecticut Avenue, NW, entrance and takes visitors to the habitat exhibits of seven species: the giant pandas, red pandas, Asian small-clawed otters, fishing cats, sloth bears, clouded leopards and a Japanese giant salamander. At the “Elephant House,” the 6-year-old Asian elephant Kandula frolics in his daily 10:30 bath. At “Amazonia,” a 15,000-square-foot rain forest habitat, check out scarlet macaws, poison dart frogs and other tropical rain forest creatures. View daily demonstrations when zoo keepers interact with seals and sea lions. Watch beavers and river otters frolic in their pools. At the “Reptile Discovery Center,” get an up-close look at fascinating lizards, snakes and African pan- The sea lion demonstration is at 11:30. cake tortoises. Investigate the thought process of orangutans at the renowned “Think Tank” exhibition. (RED LINE) Parking is available for a fee. • Free wheelchairs are available at the park’s information booths. Zoo visitors can dine at the Mane Restaurant, a number of snack facilities, or enjoy several picnic areas. www.goSmithsonian.com 60 MEHGAN MURPHY; JESSIE COHEN Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park stations metro ® M ● Woodley Park TIPS • Wear comfortable shoes for the hilly terrain. • Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members receive free parking and discounts at Zoo shops and on stroller rentals. http://www.nationalzoo.si.edu http://www.goSmithsonian.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of goSmithsonian - June 2008

goSmithsonian - June 2008 Contents Visitor Information Smithsonian Institution Building—The Castle The S. Dillon Ripley International Gallery Dining Guide Donald W. Reynolds Center Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery National Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Discovery Theater, SITES, Folklife Festival and more National Museum of American History Map of the National Mall National Museum of Natural History National Museum of the American Indian Arthur M. Sackler Gallery/Asian Art Freer Gallery of Art/Asian and American Art Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden/Contemporary and Modern Art National Museum of African Art Renwick Gallery/American Art National Postal Museum Anacostia Community Museum National Zoological Park

goSmithsonian - June 2008

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