A trip to the zoo

It won' t be long before we're rushing about enjoying the autumn leaves. But until then, let’s make one last trip to the zoo and finish with a short walk through Rock Creek Park!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/9/3/c/600_271675612.jpeg

The route: From our meetup point between the two lions at the west gate, we’ll enter along Olmstead Walk and spend about an hour in the zoo checking out the animals before reforming our group at the restrooms near the Giant Cat Exhibit and heading into Rock Creek Park.

Leaving the zoo, we'll walk upstream along Rock Creek to a bridge near Pierce Mill, where we’ll turn right onto Melvin Hazen Trail, and then left onto Connecticut Avenue to return to our starting point.

The base walking route is only about 3 miles of smiles, but plan for about 2.5 hours to complete, since inside the zoo we'll be walking kind of slow and wandering off course looking at the animals. The surface is mostly paved, with some dirt paths in Rock Creek Park.

Google hike map here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zTy9tqTph5fw.kUmcLO7x74Qk).

Zoo map here (http://tinyurl.com/ofqgsra).

How to get there: The National Zoo is located south of Rock Creek Park at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.

• For Metro riders, the zoo is equidistant from Cleveland Park and Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Stations; a 0.4 mile walk south or north along Connecticut Avenue, respectively, will take you to the west zoo entrance. If you’re having lunch after, Cleveland Park is a better bet since our restaurant selections are nearby.

• For drivers, the entrance to the zoo’s parking lots is at Connecticut Ave and N Rd. There is a flat $22 fee for parking, but do not despair: lots of free parallel street parking is available in the area on Sundays, especially to the west of Connecticut Ave along Woodley or Cathedral Ave NW.

• More directions here (http://tinyurl.com/pbq88aq).

What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Only service animals are allowed in the zoo, so your furry friend must stay behind.

Weather: The forecast is clear and a high of 81 degrees. Updates here (http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/DC/Washington.html?).

Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is permitted.

Administrative stuff: There are restrooms and drinking fountains just inside the zoo at the Visitor Center, further to the east near the Great Cats exhibit, and near Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park.

After the walk: There are several places near the Cleveland Metro along Connecticut Avenue for a bite to eat after the hike.

Notes:

• Zoo website here (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm).

• Siam House (http://siamhousedc.com/), 3520 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-363-7802 (Thai)

• Indique (http://www.indique.com/), 3512-14 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-244-6600 (Indian)

• Medium Rare (http://www.mediumrarerestaurant.com/), 3500 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-237-1432 (Steak/Brunch)

• St. Arnold’s (http://starnoldsmusselbar.com/), 3433 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-621-6719 (Bar/Belgian/Seafood)

• Byblos Deli (http://www.byblosdc.com/), 3414 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-364-6549 (Mediterranean)

• Fat Pete's BBQ (http://fatpetesbbq.com/), 3407 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-362-7777

H/T to Christine (https://www.meetup.com/members/71347202/) for the suggestion!