Our family adventure to the Smithsonian Zoo was a journey filled with excitement, a touch of disappointment, and the unique charm that only a day spent with loved ones can bring. Riding in on the Amtrak from Norfolk the day before added a layer of anticipation, with our kids, Carter Grace and Barrett, eager to embark on this wild experience.
The train ride was comfortable, but as we neared our destination, the kids' excitement reached its peak. "Is this our stop?" echoed through the second half of the journey, signaling the imminent adventure awaiting us at the Smithsonian Zoo.
That night, we nestled into the welcoming embrace of the Washington Hilton. Our room, overlooking a tranquil courtyard, boasted two queen beds, providing the perfect respite after a day of exploration. Located within walking distance of the vibrant DuPont Circle, we delighted in a culinary fiesta at Mi Casa, a charming Mexican restaurant.
The next morning, the easy ride from the Washington Hilton was a seamless transition, fueled by a delightful breakfast at the restaurant in the lobby. We left our luggage with the bellhop, paying only $2 to hold it for the day. Surprisingly, the zoo lacks any luggage holding service.
Days before our visit, my mom delivered the unexpected news: the beloved pandas were leaving for China a month earlier than scheduled, dashing my hopes of the kids experiencing their iconic presence at the zoo. Despite this, the zoo's diverse array of animals, from majestic elephants to flamboyant flamingos, kept us captivated. Barrett's excitement for the Reptile House, complete with its snakes (ick!), contrasted with my anticipation of the Great Ape House, where we hoped to catch a glimpse of the recently born ape (spoiler, we didn't see her).
Lunchtime found us at the Mane, a zoo eatery offering a variety of meals. Ben and the kids opted for the classic chicken strips, while I indulged in a Cheeseburger kids meal, a budget-friendly choice that included a drink. I didn't expect the food to be as good as it was!
As we explored, the bird house surprised us with a chance to make our own flower bombs, promising to attract a variety of birds to our gardens back home. The kids were both very excited to give their Mimi one for her garden as she is the avid birdwatcher of the family.
A lesson learned halfway through the adventure was the scarcity of stroller rentals – available only at the entrance. Barrett, our 4-year-old, tired quickly, and the thought I'm of a long hike back to the stroller rental became a daunting prospect. A tip for future visits: grab a stroller at the beginning to ensure a more comfortable journey.
The zoo has a marvelous solar powered carousel called Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel. It adorns dozens of hand painted animals for the riders to enjoy. Tickets are $4 a person and each child much be accompanied by an adult if they are under 42" tall. Carter Grace chose the panda to ride on the carousel, a fitting tribute to the missed pandas. As we were getting ready to leave, we spotted a gelato stand. It proved to be the perfect finale, with the cookies and cream far exceeding my expectations for American made gelato.
After bidding farewell to the zoo's inhabitants, we made our way back to the Washington Hilton to retrieve our luggage. Our journey continued as we made our way to the Amtrak station, where dinner varied among family members – Chick-fil-A for the kids, Shake Shack for Ben, and a choice of Cava for myself. They have a handful of other options including an Uno Pizza, Chopt, Potbelly's, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Halal Guys, Dunkin, and Jersey Mikes.
Our late departure of 7:00 pm made for a quiet train ride home, with Carter Grace dozing off early in the journey. However, Barrett, fueled by the day's excitement, resisted sleep until after 10:30. Finally, we arrived back in Norfolk just after 11:30, concluding our Smithsonian Zoo adventure with memories etched in the hearts of our family.
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