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    ZooLights

    3.5 (111 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - ZooLights

    Venue rental

    ZooLights Photos

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    Jen J.

    Wow, the zoo has upped their game this year! The light displays were amazing and totally worth the $6 entrance fee per person. Get your tix ahead of time--when we arrived, we were glad that we had reserved them as they were sold out. The paper lantern style scenes arranged according to the different habitats of the creatures (sea, grasslands, arctic, desert) was a cute idea. Everyone, including us adults, were super impressed. There was even "snow" in the arctic! My only complaint was the long lines for the food/drink vendors.

    Kwame S.

    Unfortunately, I left ZooLights underwhelmed. There was a decent attempt for this experience, but I think the execution could have been better. For two adults, I think it took us about 30 minutes to walk through the display of lights. I'm not too familiar with the zoo, but I think the lights display should have been organized in a loop. In its current format, it's more or less an in-and-out tour, so you see the same things going out as you go in. Yes, many trees were lit, but I didn't really have a festive experience during our visit. To be frank, I've seen better display of holiday lights in local neighborhoods. For instance, there really wasn't any music or things to remind you of the holidays (e.g. Santa, reindeer, snowmen, a menorah, etc.). Since the entry tickets were only $6, I was not too annoyed. However, I would have been very annoyed had I paid for parking, which was $30. Tip: If you have to drive to the zoo and do not have a lot of things to carry around (e.g., kids, strollers, bags, yourself, etc.), I highly recommend finding street parking nearby and walking to the zoo because the $30 parking definitely is not worth it.

    Crystal G.

    If you happen to be in DC during the Thanksgiving- Christmas holiday season you might want to check out Zoo Lights at the Smithsonian zoo. Like all museums in DC you need to plan ahead and book yourself some tickets. It is an easy stroll through the zoo with gorgeous displays of light up animals. Tickets for the event are well worth the few dollar per person. Pls note that you do not get admission to the zoo since this is in the evening. There are even beverage carts located throughout the walk so you can enjoy your festive walk with some holiday cheer.

    Maria L.

    The Zoolights are always a nice way to catch up with a friend while enjoying a good walk! Remember, you gotta come back up the hill too!! Along your path, you can buy refreshments-- hot chocolate was just what I needed! If you want booze, there is also an adult beverage truck! If you're going any time soon-- bring gloves and a hat!! It was chilly on Monday!!! :)

    Time stamp of my carasel photo.
    Tiffanie S.

    I have a very sad kiddo tonight. We attended zoo lights at the national zoo from 2014-2019. It was amazing! Lots of music, games, slides, a train and best of all (for animal lovers like my kiddo) the indoor animal houses were open for visiting at night when many nocturnal animals were more active. This year was our first year back since covid and there was nothing. No slides, no crafts or games. They closed the carousel down prior to 8:45 (time posted). The event was supposed to go til 9pm but everything was closed by 8:30 and by 8:45 there were cops driving through the zoo with a megaphone telling people to head toward the exits. And worst of all, every animal house, exhibit and trail was closed down. You literally saw zero real animals. I am not saying this to rant. I am hoping to avoid another mom having a super sad kiddo by making people aware that zoo lights has changed and is not worth the hike if you don't live in the city.

    Front
    Leah C.

    Was this THE best light display I've ever seen? No. There are certainly places where I wish there were more trees covered in lights, and flashier decor. You have to remember, though, that this is a FREE event in an otherwise very expensive city. I enjoyed the zoo-themed lights and would happily come again. I spent about 1-1.5 hours moseying about and think that's a reasonable amount of time to expect to spend. There are some boozy drinks available for purchase. I got the bourbon apple cider and it was lukewarm, $15, and not very strong. I wish I had held out for the boozy hot cocoa, which uses a salted caramel liquor and is located near the red panda lights display (before the ropes the monkeys climb during the day).

    Food court croc
    Paola A.

    Super cute experience! Came here with my 3 year old and parents (whom are senior citizens) and they had a blast! We entered through the back to which they had a workshop for kids with a mad scientists and a 360 Photo Booth?! Amazing. We spend a solid hour in there making Christmas cards and staying warm. We then headed to the Mary-go-round which never disappoints! It was $4 a person...an amazing price. The cocktail drinks they had were delicious. I got the spiked hot chocolate and my son got the regular. It was pretty tasty, however we also tried the hot chocolate from the non vendors and I do not recommend those. I recommend going to the vendors in front of the elephant exhibit. Food court food was the same, they didn't have any different food choices only drinks. But overall, you can never go wrong with pizza and a hotdog at the zoo!

    Song Y.

    Very nice FREE event for kids and adults alike. You can spend a nice hour or two strolling through the park and enjoy the many light displays, sip on some hot beverages, and listen to some live music too! As of December 2022 they are doing timed entry tickets so reserve them in advance. If you don't want to pay for on-site parking then look for free street parking in the neighborhoods nearby. We found one within about 5 minutes and just a few minutes walk away. There are a few spots in the zoo with bright overhead lights you can use for selfie photos where you can see yourselves and the background lights.

    Donyiel C.

    Finally made it to Zoolights! I've been wanting to check this place out every holiday season. I haven't been to the zoo in many many years! This event is free and is suitable for adults and children! The closest metro station is the Woodley Park station, but it's still a good 10 minute walk or so. Prior to coming to the event, I met up with a friend to do happy hour. I'd recommend getting a drink before or after the event - just to make it a bit more fun and also explore the Woodley Park area. I came on a Tuesday evening so it wasn't too crowded, but I'm sure on weekends it's packed. I really enjoyed the environmentally friendly LED light displays, the live music and holiday treats! After about 30 mintues, I felt I saw all I needed to see. I was able to snap some cool pictures and I enjoyed myself. I'll be back next year.

    Melissa N.

    Oh, it's a shame that so many people are criticizing this event. Yes, it is a small event, but it is pretty and it is free! And free is great, considering how expensive DC is. It might not be over the top, but it is pleasant and festive. Children seem to love it. So if you have kids, definitely bring them here. I personally love all the animal themed colorful lights. The animal exhibits are closed. You know, animals need their peace and quiet too. I recommend visting on a weekday. I went on an extremely cold Wednesday night; it was deserted. I heard it gets crowded during the weekends. Try to use public transportation or Uber because parking is not easy around this area. The only thing I did not like was the Gingerbread house. I was expecting a gingerbread house, instead there were just a few props around. There are multiple vendors. I wasn't interested in buying anything, but I am sure they sell at festival prices. There were some rides like a merry go round and a cute trolley. Rides are not free. 4 stars. It's a cute event where you just walk along the main path looking at the sparkly lights.

    Sally W.

    Zoo lights used to be so much better! What happened to it this year? Not nearly as many lights set up throughout the park and it looks like they've taken out the big slide. In general, it's still great to be able to enjoy the zoo after hours. There's still enough lights and music to get into the holiday spirit, but in years past, it was always a much bigger setup. Pro-tip: Bring your own hot chocolate or grab a hot drink from Starbucks across the street before strolling through the zoo. Have fun!!

    Aarti B.

    I love ZooLights - it's free and a winter wonderland of dazzling lights! Hard not to give 5 stars. I spent an hour walking down the hill mesmerized by the rainbow sea of colors. The light and music synchronized display at the end (near the train) is my favorite and impresses me every time with different beats and lights. I was a bit disappointed with the Gingerbread Village, it's a cheap display and not worth the walk in the cold. Although I didn't go on the train ride, I haven't heard good things about it. The deliciously pungent smell of fried oreos and grilled cheese from the food vendors is alluring. I was tempted to spend $9 on a s'mores kit and roast marshmallows at the firepits. Next year - I'll bring my own kit :) Parking is a bit pricey at $25, so I recommend taking the metro or Uber. Although it can be a bit crowded with some elbow bumping, the lights are spectacular and worth checking out! Recommend going on the last day when the crowds die out on Jan 1st or the weekdays.

    During the day
    John C.

    The zoo at night is spectacular. During the day you can see the set up as well but at night it is magical. The shuttle does not run at either for pickup but the walk is what we enjoy as well. The animal exhibits are closed at night but you are here for the light.

    Gingerbread Village

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - ZooLights

    Is this event free and do I need to rspv or can I just go directly?

    Free and no reservation needed! Just head on over! If you arrive via metro, there's shuttles from woodley park metro station to the zoo

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - ZooLights

    Despite Living Socials ridiculous fine print, I and my group finally made it ZooLights this past Sunday.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Isla - Custom delicious aperitif. We didn't ask questions, we drank, we enjoyed. Ase!!

    Isla

    (79 reviews)

    Downtown

    I went to Isla for the first time and celebrated a friend's birthday and here's my take…read more..... Food Every single thing we ordered and ate was delicious (in my opinion). Here's a list of what we ordered: Starter - Plantain Chips and Scallion Bread Appetizers: - Oyster (hibiscus granita, scotch bonnet mignonette) - Wagyu Oxtail (wagyu oxtail, spiced ground beef, fermented mango) - Crab (panang curry, sweet potato, west african American) - Curry Goat (pomme puree, scallion) Entree - Bone In Pork Chop (kuchela jus, crab butter, grilled mango) - Smoked Chargrilled Chicken (jerk jus, pickled pimento, fried curry leaf) - Fire Grilled Branzino (citrus mojo, chive blossom) - Fried Snapper (fish spice, escovitch vegetables) ADDITIONS - Fried Brussels Sprouts (pimento pepper aioli, plantain furikak) - BBQ Greens (pot liquor, chicken skin chicharron) - Cook Up Rice (coconut tea, pigeon peas) Service The service is great. All the crew were attentive. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu. He also was able to recommend his personal favorite which helps with making decision of what to order. Ambiance The restaurant is very cozy and modern. The big chandelier is definitely an attraction. It's very beautiful.

    Decent meal overall. For our drinks, my friend enjoyed the capital oasis cocktail. Although it is a…read morerum punch, it's light in color and light on the pallete. I started with the fancy pants cocktail. The house jerk syrup gives it a slight edge with the bitters. We decided to try two different patties, the first being the Wagyu oxtail, and the second the crab. The Wagyu oxtail patties came with a mango scotch bonnet pepper sauce. This sauce instantly bought the heat. The crab patties came with a mild or sauce that still brings heat, but not as sharp. The red snapper has a delicious, airy batter. The branzino is cooked to perfection. The cook up rice has a lovely lingering flavor of coconut milk. The rice had a bit of a salty flavor that felt accidental. The barbecue greens are flavorful. The service we received was very friendly and welcoming. Our server was attentive and gave us helpful insight to the meals. I'm so happy we tried a variety of dishes and would come back to try other items on the menu.

    The Metropolitan Club Of The City Of Washington - Lobby

    The Metropolitan Club Of The City Of Washington

    (6 reviews)

    Downtown

    This review is long overdue. I was invited to dinner here and this has to go in the Top Ten places…read moreI've ever dined at. Of course my friend is a member and if I'm lucky, someday I will be too. It started off as I walked up the sidewalk and approached the club, the doorman was standing on the sidewalk. As I got closer, the doorman greeted me by name! I was taken a back for a minute wondering how could he possibly know my name! I was escorted in and asked to wait in the main reception while they went to get my friend. I went into what they refer to as the "Correspondence Lounge" which is sort of a small library with some incredibly old literary works. They have very strict rules and one of surprise is no use of cell phones... period. How refreshing! You can go into the Correspondence Lounge if you need to use your phone but otherwise you cannot use while in the dining room or other public areas. So make sure you "check-in" on Yelp when you are outside. Naturally they have a dress code, but really, if you have to ask what the dress code is, you probably aren't going to this place. Another rule I was surprised is they try to keep business limited so you cannot bring out a bunch of papers, laptop, etc... The only papers you can hold would have to be a newspaper or a book. Once seated, the service is impeccable. Extremely polite and not overbearing. They knew when we were engrossed in conversation and didn't interrupt. I had the lump crab cake for dinner and it was without a doubt the BEST! I lived in Virginia for five years and went to college at George Washington so I'm quite familiar with East Coast seafood and I can honestly say the lump crab at the Metropolitan Club is the BEST! I could go on about this place but simply put, if you have the opportunity to go, don't pass that opportunity up for what will end up being one of the greatest dining experiences of your life.

    This is a wonderful spot nestled across from the White House. The building and members have more…read morehistory in Washington, than just about any place in the capitol, or the nation for that matter. I have been fortunate enough to dine, party, and converse with some of Washington's behind the scene's power players. You can learn a lot, if you ever get past the door man, or Lily.

    Exclusively Entertainment

    Exclusively Entertainment

    (147 reviews)

    Kia and Farzan were quite literally AMAZING. Probably the #1 thing I am most happy with is going…read morewith y'all for music. Not only did they make me feel comfortable and excited with their presence but Kia also helped with our timeline in a way that made everything go extremely smoothly. When him Conor and I. Had a meeting couple weeks before the wedding. We were struggling with the timeline of everything and how we're going to incorporate the Persian ceremony with American ceremony and Kia was able to explain how it will be done so effortlessly. As for the actual music, we sent a couple ideas what we wanted the night to be like in Kia couldn't be more perfect in his effortless djing and MCing. And Farzan was a tremendous add, I am so happy We have also had him to compliment Kia. Everyone we spoke to after the wedding could not stop raving about both of them. Also both of their extremely positive attitudes was a cherry on top- they were truly a huge part of the night and couldn't have gone as smooth as it did without them. I need Kia to make a playlist on everything he did because OBSESSED. My maid of honor getting married next year also using Kia also said she is now soooo excited to use you guys!

    I couldn't recommend Exclusively Entertainment more! They are extremely professional,…read moreaccommodating, personal, and talented! The DJ for our wedding, Maz, executed my vision just perfectly. He was the perfect match for our fusion wedding!

    DACOR Bacon House - North Drawing Room Holiday Decor at DACOR

    DACOR Bacon House

    (14 reviews)

    Foggy Bottom

    DACOR Bacon is a sensational venue for hosting a party/wedding/school reunion/etc.. We have thrown…read morea cocktails and dance party there for the past three years, and can't say enough about the professionalism of the staff, the quality of the food, the service, and the price. Best of all, our guests love DACOR Bacon and come back each year. The house is an elegant Federal brick building (1801), home of John Marshall when he was on the Supreme Court. It is decorated with beautiful antiques and paintings. If you're having a large event, the garden AND the house are able to accommodate 180 people. When we wanted to rent a tent for dancing under outside, they helped us. When we wanted great DJs, they helped find them. For smaller events, the house is wonderful for a cocktail party, lunch or dinner. It retains its beautiful old world charm and is located just a stone's throw from the White House. Parking is fairly easy on weekends and in the evening We have also used DACOR Bacon for alumni cocktail parties. Guests tremendously enjoyed the elegant and comfortable setting. Washingtonians love to come to parties there -- it's the only still functioning grand historic house in Foggy Bottom. People walked by and say, 'What's that? I'd love to go in there." Out of towners are thrilled with its location, history and beauty. The staff is very experienced and helpful. They go out of their way to ensure the success of the events. Sylvia, who is the events coordinator, always goes above and beyond to make sure that we have a good experience. Alba and Jose make sure all the logistics are running smoothly, and they do a wonderful job. Meg wonderfully oversees it all.

    This is a private club. Went for a group dinner sponsored by a member. We had to preselect our…read moremenu, but there was a decent variety for a quiet evening. I had the arugula and heirloom tomato salad, spring pea soup (which was quite delicious, I think it had some mint?) ginger glazed salmon for my entree, and an orange cake. Had a decent merlot. Servers were very attentive and polite. The building itself was the draw for me; rich with character. It must be about 200 years old. It feels like a converted private house with how the rooms are carved out of the space. Very nice experience.

    Decatur House - Our gorgeous Courtyard! Photo courtesy of Timmester Photography.

    Decatur House

    (14 reviews)

    Downtown

    My daughter and I visited in 2015, 2019 and again last Spring 2023 took a tour of the downstairs…read moreonly. In 2019 a 200+ pound replica of the White House by former Executive WH pastry chef Roland Mesnier was on display. A photo of the Gingerbread house has been attached to this review. The unassuming brick home sets across from the WH. The house happens to be the oldest private residence in DC at almost 200 years young. I would not go out of your way, but we thought the cake was super cool inn2019. 3.5 rounding up.

    Came here for a after-hours party so to be honest, this is more of a review about that party than…read moreit is about the house itself. The party occurred in what I assume to be the courtyard; it was covered (though the weather was nice out for March), with beautiful lighting. But crazily enough, the space was HUGE. Absolutely gorgeous. If you're looking to host a large party, I 100% recommend this location. The set-up was fantastic. I have NO clue where the food came from, but whoever catered was phenomenal (I had the best cheesecake bites I have EVER let my tastebuds experience). While waiting 45 min for this lyft to arrive, I decided to venture around the house (with the guide). The house itself is pretty bare, but I love it's simplicity. It was of course quiet, though you could hear the faint sounds of the party outside. I completely forgot that we were SO close to the white house, could have gone for a night stroll, but didn't. Overall, this was a fun experience and I am glad I got to enjoy it in such a way.

    ZooLights - zoos - Updated May 2026

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