The National Zoo's Giant Panda exhibit attracts thousands of visitors every year. RELATED LINKS Return to Washington, D.C. City Guide

This branch of the Smithsonian Institution is best known for its giant panda exhibit, which dates back to 1972 when a pair of the highly endangered creatures first arrived from China. The original occupants, Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling, have since died, but two more pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, now reside in Washington on a 10-year loan from the Chinese government. Their first offspring, Tai Shan (tie-SHON) was born early in the morning on July 9, 2005.

While the pandas get top billing at the National Zoo, the 163-acre facility offers plenty of equally engaging attractions. About 2,000 animals from about 400 different species currently comprise the animal collection at the National Zoo and the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) After paying your respects to the pandas, check out the impressive Great Cats, Great Apes and Amazonia exhibits, and don't miss the 11 am and 3 pm giant octopus feedings in the invertebrate hall.

The National Zoo is in Washington's Northwest quadrant, with entrances off Connecticut Avenue NW and on the east side at Rock Creek Park. The Metrorail Red Line has two stops within walking distance of the main entrance, but it's an uphill walk from the Woodley Park-Zoo station, so if you're saving your energy for the zoo itself (which is fairly hilly), get off at Cleveland Park for a less taxing stroll to the front gate. Like the Smithsonian museums at the National Mall, admission is always free.

The zoo grounds open at 6 am every day, and arriving early when many of the resident creatures are more active is a great way to enjoy the outdoor exhibits before the crowds arrive. The zoo encourages picnicking, so bring your own breakfast for a leisurely start to the day, then tour the inside exhibits when the zoo buildings open at 10 am. If you're not a morning person, head for the zoo after 2 pm when the crowds normally begin to thin out. Either way, wear comfortable shoes, and remember to save some strength for your return trek to the Metro, as it's an uphill walk back to Connecticut Avenue. See www.nationalzoo.si.edu for more information.