Zoo & Smithsonian

Question

I need help finding a hotel near a metro or within walking distance of the Zoo. A friend suggested staying in Springfield, VA & taking the metro in. It's been at least 20 years since I've been to DC and am taking my 18 year old the 2nd week of March for a couple of days. I know we won't be able to do everything, so just making a quick trip to the zoo and possibly a museum. Thanks for any advice!

Answer

For a quick DC trip focused on the National Zoo and possibly a Smithsonian museum, staying near a Metro station is the most convenient option. While Springfield, VA is a possibility, it adds significant commute time into DC (roughly 40–50 minutes on the Metro each way). For a short visit, it’s more practical to stay inside or very near DC to maximize your sightseeing time.

Hotels near the Cleveland Park or Woodley Park Metro stations on the Red Line offer easy access to the National Zoo, which is within walking distance (about 5–10 minutes) from both stops. Staying here allows you to walk to the Zoo, then take the Metro downtown to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

Near Cleveland Park/Woodley Park: These neighborhoods have a few boutique hotels and chain options with walkable access to restaurants and cafes. Examples include the Omni Shoreham Hotel (near Woodley Park) or The Line DC (if you prefer staying a bit closer to downtown but still accessible via Metro).
Near downtown DC: Staying downtown near Metro stations like Farragut West, Gallery Place, or L’Enfant Plaza allows fast access to the National Mall museums. You can take the Red Line north to Cleveland Park/Woodley Park for the Zoo.
Advantages of staying inside DC:

Minimizes time on commuting, giving you more time at attractions.
Many hotels offer Metro passes or easy access to stations.
Walking access to restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores.

If your goal is maximizing convenience for a short 2-day trip, I recommend prioritizing hotels in or near the Cleveland Park/Woodley Park area for Zoo access, or downtown DC for museum-focused visits. Springfield hotels are generally better for longer stays when cost savings outweigh commute time.

Zoo & Smithsonian

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