Of course in addition to seeing the pandas I did walk around the rest of the Smithsonian National Zoo on my 2 days there and I think I just about saw everything! The Africa Trail section was closed while work was ongoing, but otherwise the zoo was actually just like I remembered it from my 2018 trip, although I don’t remember seeing the Bird House previously, well it turns out it was under renovation last time, so that was something new to see. I also don’t remember the Claws&Paw Pathway so I’m thinking maybe that was also not open when I was last there.

In my first visit post there is information included on getting to the zoo – this hasn’t changed at all, but definitely check the zoo website to confirm opening hours. On this trip, the zoo is still free to enter, but you needed a reservation QR code to enter – I got these in advance of my visits but there were links to sign up at the entrance, and it was efficient at the entrance so there weren’t any lines to have your QR code scanned, super quick to get in.