Attractions

Carousels, playgrounds, and more! Don't miss these exciting attractions throughout the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

A child sits at the top of a slide sculpted to look like a bee hive overflowing with honey at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Me and the Bee playground

Me and the Bee Playground ›

On this pollinator-themed playground located next to Kids' Farm, children of all ages can “shrink” to bee-size!

Visitors ride the Zoo's carousel. In the foreground, a young girl with one hand in the air sits atop a giraffe seat while her parent holds her in place.

Speedwell Conservation Carousel ›

Take a ride on the wild side! Located across from the Zoo’s Lemur Island, the Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel features dozens of custom-carved and hand-painted animals.

A kid playing in a rocky beach environment.

Splash Zone ›

Come stomp in the shallow waters of American Trail, weather permitting.

Artist Matthew Willey paints a bee mural on the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Great Ape House

The Good of the Hive Mural ›

The Great Ape House has received a makeover—with a mural of hand-painted honeybees! The mural is part of Matthew Willey's The Good of the Hive initiative, which raises awareness about the importance of pollinators.

This wall mural by artist Wyland shows sea turtles, fish, an octopus, and various types of coral in an underwater setting. The marine animals are brightly colored, but the water and rocks are darker shades of blue.

Wyland Mural ›

Thirty years after painting his first mural at the Zoo, marine muralist Wyland returned to paint a new mural raising awareness about a different group of magnificent sea animals: coral.