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The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA. On this photo the entrance to the Zoo is on the left (going towards downtown).

The entrance to the National Zoo (DC, USA) is decorated with a big flower bed. The "Zoo" sign is a favorite place for many visitors to take pictures.

Two big figures of lions on both sides mark the entrance to the Nation Zoo (DC, USA).

Entering the National Zoo in Washington DC, USA - there are no admission fees and no security. In from of you is the Olmsted Walk - a central alley that goes through the park. For the record, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822 - 1903) was an American journalist, critic, public administrator and landscape designer. He designed the new National Zoo when it was created by an Act of Congress in 1889.

This kiosk is one of the first thing visitors come across when they enter the National Zoo. In this kiosk you can Zoo maps - $2.00 (2011). Selling maps help raise cash for the park that needs desperately every penny. I wish though that the map were more informative.

Even if you do not want to buy a map, there are plenty of displays with maps throughout the National Zoological Park in Washington DC, USA.

Often, next to Zoo maps, you will see displays like this: "What to do at the Zoo?" I should mention thought that some recommendations look indeed bizarre. Like "Great Cats Viewing" (from 10 to 4) or this one - "Encounter Invertebrates" (every half hour). Really?

The Connecticut Avenue entrance to the National Zoological Park is considered its main entrance. There is a visitor center not far from the entrance.

National Zoological Park (Washington, DC, USA) - inside its visitor center.

Asia Trail Shop - one of few souvenir shops on the National Zoo premises. It seems that for the 163-acre (66 ha) park, there could be more businesses like this (especially taking into account that park needs money).

Join FONZ and Help Save Animals display. FONZ, or Friends of the National Zoo, was founded in 1958 as a nonprofit organization to support various efforts from operating of concessions at the Zoo to expanding community support for the Zoo and developing educational and volunteer programs. To join FONZ you should pay annual dues from $40 to $250 depending on the membership level.

Here is another sign in National Zoo (DC, USA) telling what you cannot do in the park: no pets, bicycles, skateboarding or skating.

Various signs are used to communicate with visitors. This one suggests that you can satisfy your natural curiosity becoming a volunteer at the Zoo. If you want to, you should contact FONZ (which happens to have its own Web site, www.fonz.org).

You can come to National Zoo by public transportation or by car. The former means Metrorail - use Red Line to the Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan stop or the Cleveland Park stop. If you use public transportation, you will Connecticut Ave. entrance. If you drive, you will need a parking lot. This photo shows Harvard St. leading to parking lots from Beach Dr.

National Zoo (DC, USA) - entrance to the parking lot E off Harvard St. This is the worst looking parking lot; however, it has the best chance of finding a place for your car. This lot is located on the side of the park opposite to Connecticut Ave. entrance. It can be reached from Beach Dr (which goes along the Rock Creek a.k.a. Rock Creek Pkwy) and Harvard Street.

National Zoo (DC, USA), parking lot E. That is what you will see if you come around 9 AM (parking lots and park grounds open at 8:30 AM). The cost of parking at all National Zoo lots is $20 (2011) or $15 if you stay less than 3 hours.

That is how parking lot E (National Zoo, DC, USA) looks like after 10:30 AM on weekends. There are 5 parking lots at the park, but they are relatively small. Besides, lots A and C are often closed for regular folks. So, lot E, the least convenient lot, may be your best chance.

From parking lot E using this bridge across Rock Creek, proceed to the entrance to the Zoo.

This photo shows the entrance to parking lot D - it is actually very close to lot E. To reach lot D, proceed through the bridge I just showed and turn left; the entrance will be in about 100 yards. The catch is that parking lot D is more popular than lot E. So, it is filled in quicker than E, but while you are venturing for more convenience, you may lose whatever was available in lot E.

This photo illustrates why parking lot D (at National Zoo in DC, USA) is better than lot E. Not only lot D is closer to the park entrance, but it offers a lot of shady places and also is also equipped with accessible parking (not available in lot E).

We have parked our car and approaching now the park entrance (from the direction of parking lot D). The entrance to the park is on the left.

This nice clock tower with bells (near the entrance to the Zoo) is not helpful. It shows 7:18, whereas this photo was taken at 9:25.

This is the Rock Creek entrance to National Zoo (DC, USA). It is on the opposite site of park from its main (Connecticut Ave.) entrance, and it is less glamorous. However, from practical standpoint there is little difference between the two. In fact both are connected with Olmsted Walk - the main park artery.

The Rock Creek entrance to the National Zoo (DC, USA) does not have any visitor center. However, this old shack is all visitors need - at least you can buy a map ($2) and rent a stroller ($9 single, $12 double - 2011). Wheelchairs are also available. There is also a shuttle service stop at this place.

Shuttle service at the National Zoo (DC, USA) runs between the Rock Creek entrance area and the Bus Zone at the park. Bus Zone is located closer to the Connecticut Ave. entrance to the park and parking lot A.

If you arrive to the Zoo early enough, you may see groups like this. These visitors use the park as a pure recreational facility (and not very much interested in animals). In fact, according to park's own data, only about 50% of all visitors come to see animals.

The National Zoo park is relatively clean. Perhaps one of the reasons for that is such trash cans you can find in abundance in the park. They are visible from the distance but at the same time blend with the environment. Cans are marked which one is for trash (landfills or incinerators) and what can be recycled.

Olmsted Walk crosses the Zoo from Connecticut Avenue to Rock Creek Pkwy. Various "islands" off the Walk are dedicated to groups of animals. On this photo you see Kid's Farm (located close to the Rock Creek entrance) which is supposed to teach kids how to take care of farm animals and where are food comes from.

Various signs, displays and maps are installed in National Zoo to inform visitors about what they can find in one or another area of the park.

National Zoo park management tries to be creative in designing exhibits. Giant Pizza in Kid's Farm shows that different parts of a pizza start off growing in the ground.

This building with not very attractive facade is the Mane Grill (near Rock Creek entrance) offering burgers, chicken, hot dogs, salads, ice cream and drinks. I do not know anything about the quality of the food - I hope it is not like the grill's building.

Here is the sign inviting you to eat at Mane Grill. I guess that since there are not that many places to eat at the Zoo, park management could save money even on this sign - hungry visitors would come anyway.

Tiger Treats snacks. Prices are: ice-cream cone - $3.75, fruit slush - $3.75, big pretzel $3.25, mini donuts $5 (dozen), iced tea - $3.00, bottled water - $3.00, soda 20oz bottle - $3.00 (2011).

National Zoo Police station (near Rock Creek entrance). "Health Unit" is in the same building. Police and security presence is not very noticeable in the park; there are no securoty checks. However, there seems to be a lot of park personnel or volunteers on the premises who may report any violation.

This sign cleverly explains that maps are not available from the Zoo Park Police and that they are available at the information stations.

"The Happy Frog" (1975, William M. McVey) - sculptures like this are scattered in the park here and there.

"Souvenir Panda Photos" - picture yourself with pandas

Brats, BBQ and Beer - another snack kiosk on Olmsted Walk not far from the Think Tank building. Its name says it all.

Brats, BBQ and Beer prices (2011): bratwurst and Italian sausage - $6.95, BBQ Beef and Chicken sandwich - $6.95, potato chips - $0.95, Microbrew Beers (local micro brews like Starr Hill, Dominion Hop Mountain, etc.) - $6.75.

Popcorn Wagon selling fresh popcorn at $3.25 cup ($5.25 bucket).

Panda Plaza (National Zoo, Washington DC, USA) with several stores selling food and souvenirs (Panda Store).

Panda Plaza Grill (National Zoo, Washington DC, USA): Cheeseburger - $10.25, Hot dog - $9.95, Sandwich Combos - Chicken Fish, Boca Burger - all around $10.95 (prices 2011)

Perhaps the most pleasant place at National Zoo (DC, USA) to eat and relax - Panda Overlook Cafe. It is located closer to the Connecticut Ave entrance overlooking the area called "Giant Panda Habitat."

Panda Overlook Cafe at National Zoo (DC, USA) - here you buy food; the choice is better than anywhere else in the park.

Panda Overlook Cafe at National Zoo (DC, USA) - and here you eat your food. As you can see the surroundings are pleasant although even if umbrellas protect from the sub, it is still very hot in Washington DC on a good summer day.

Panda Overlook Cafe at National Zoo (DC, USA) - this cafe is supposed to overlook the Giant Panda Habitat. And it does; the problem is that there are no pandas anywhere.

At times, the Nation Zoo (DC, USA) reminds more a museum with its multiple educational displays. Still, a zoological park is about animals and not displays about animals.

I bet one of the first questions visitors ask when coming to the National Zoo is "Where are the animals?" Indeed, chances are high that you will not see many of them. So, the park management explains that animals "are probably resting" and that you should "come back another time!"