National Zoological Park

As the National Zoo enters its 120th year of existence, it celebrates a birthday attended by some controversy (several animals’ deaths in the last decade and the resignation of a director), hope (two words: giant pandas) and cautious optimism exemplified by the birth of a lowland gorilla. Still one of the best zoos around, the National gently sprawls over 163 acres cut through by a mini-Amazon, the interactive Think Tank, which examines animal intelligence, and the excellent Asia Trail, which winds around aforementioned pandas, clouded leopards and red pandas. The Smithsonian Institution zoo was founded in 1889 and planned by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York’s Central Park. The zoo’s grounds follow the natural contours of a woodland-canyon, and the exhibits are noted for their natural-habitat settings. The zoo is intensively involved in worldwide ecological study and species-preservation work. It’s hard to pick one favorite part of the zoo. The Great Ape House is always popular; on-site orangutans prance around on external cable crossings across the rest of the zoo. The dark Bat Cave is always a hit with the kids, and big-cat fans will love the cheetahs’ display, What’s for Dinner?, where overly honest scales inform you who would like to feast on you (‘100lb to 150lb – you’re a female warthog. A pack of lions could finish you off in an hour.’) Currently, the zoo is expanding the existing elephant house. In December, local businesses compete with each other to showcase elaborate Christmas-light displays fashioned to resemble animals; it’s a great holiday treat to wander amid the brightness on sharp winter evenings.